Interview
1. What is your connection to ovarian cancer and OCAOSW? I am an ovarian cancer survivor (since 2002), and the co-founder of OCAOSW. 2: What is your biggest hope with regard to this disease? I hope that a screening tool will be developed and eventually that we will have a cure for the disease. 3: What does OCAOSW do for our community that makes it unique? We provide support for newly diagnosed women or for women who are going through a recurrence. We are very proud of our Survivors Teaching Students program in which ovarian cancer survivors present to medical school students and other future health care professionals. We have an excellent website and a toll-free line. We also advocate for federal funds for ovarian cancer. 4: What are your proudest achievements in life? Or what brings you the greatest joy? I am proud of a successful 45+-year marriage and two wonderful sons, two lovely daughters-in-law and three adorable granddaughters. I find great joy in my friends, both near and far away. I value my career of 30 years of service as a high school counselor. Currently, my involvement with OCAOSW and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance is my mission. I find meaning and satisfaction in helping others who are struggling with their cancer journey. 5: What do you like to do in your spare time? I love to take long walks with my Labrador Libby; and I love to swim, cycle, do yoga, travel and read. 6: Tell me something about you that most other people don't know about you. My granddaughters recently taught me how to boogie board in Hawaii. They told me that I had graduated from "an amateur to a beginner!"