COMMUNITY & CULTURE
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT St . Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Photo by Ray Meibaum
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St . Louis woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer had one wish : To increase awareness of the disease that was taking its toll on her .
In 2002 , Christina Carr gathered six more local women - three ovarian cancer survivors and their oncology nurses - all of whom she ’ d met during her cancer treatment . The group spent its initial days learning to incorporate and how to become an advocacy organization , as well as raising money through raffles , selling handmade jewelry and applying for grants . Sadly , Carr died the following year , but not until after she took the lead and launched the first awareness day for St . Louis Ovarian Cancer at Busch Stadium , an event that ’ s been held yearly ever since .
“ We started as a very organic , grassroots organization . These women realized there were no programs for ovarian cancer awareness in the St . Louis region , and they banded together to try to change that ,” explained Susan Robben , executive director of St . Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness .
Fifteen years later , Robben noted that SLOCA has remained true to the founders ’ original mission , but has also expanded its outreach to help more people and include wellness programs like yoga and art therapy . One of the ways the organization reaches out to newly diagnosed patients is through its “ Sister Box ” packages .
“ These are presented to a woman at her first chemotherapy session ,” Robben said . The boxes come with “ comfort items ,” such as a chemo cap , cozy socks , a journal , lip balm , lotion and others , as well as an introduction to SLOCA and how it can help . In more ways than one , Robben said the kind , thoughtful act of giving a Sister Box to a patient benefits the recipient long after its contents are consumed .
“ They ’ ve expressed to us how the gesture changed that moment ( of having their first chemo treatment ) for them ,” she said . “ There ’ s a form in each package that they can fill out to reach out to us . It gives them opportunities to meet other survivors and to volunteer - and many of them have become our most avid volunteers .”
And even when the result at the end of the patient ’ s journey is not a happy one , Robben said the families are still very grateful . “ They ’ ll tell us that they remember their mom getting a Sister Box from the organization , and how comforting it was to her . And usually , they feel very compelled to spread the awareness message on behalf of the organization in hopes that others at-risk will seek help early .”
Robben herself feels compelled to be a leading advocate for ovarian cancer awareness .
“ I was diagnosed at 23 years old - and I ’ m very fortunate to still be around to discuss it ,” she said . “ It ’ s very helpful that a lot of our constituents are survivors . Ovarian cancer is a disease that ’ s still difficult to treat and is often found in the later stages .”
Robben said there are four symptoms to watch for : bloating , pelvic or abdominal pain , urinary urgency and frequency , and difficulty eating , or feeling full quickly . “ I had these symptoms at age 23 . They ’ re very easy to dismiss ,” she said .
And that ’ s why Robben , who has been cancer-free for 33 years , believes that SLOCA ’ s mission can save lives . “ If a woman knows the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer , then she can be an advocate for her own health .”
MISSION : SLOCA is committed to impacting ovarian cancer survivorship by promoting awareness of early warning signs and standards of care , funding ovarian cancer research , and supporting survivors . HOW YOU CAN HELP : The 2017 Living Out Loud Gala & Auction to benefit SLOCA takes place on Saturday , April 8 , at Forest Hills Country Club . On Friday , Sept . 8 , the organization will mark National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month with SLOCA Night at the Ballpark . Tickets to the Cardinals vs . Pirates game are $ 35 each ($ 25 before June 1 ), and include a food and drink voucher . Survivors of ovarian cancer are entitled to a free ticket , but an RSVP is needed . For more information or to make a donation , call ( 314 ) 966-7562 or visit sloca . org .
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