Ashli Chaney, an early childhood education senior, is spreading awareness of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month during September in honor of her sister Brandi, who succumbed to the disease on March 10, 2012.
Soon after Brandi’s diagnosis in January 2011, Ashli and her family started participating with Relay for Life of South Tangipahoa, a fundraiser for cancer research sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and a celebration of those that have survived cancer and a memorial for those that have not. This year’s Relay for Life fundraiser will be held on Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. in North Oak Park.
However, Chaney and her family soon found out that ovarian cancer was, at that point, not a big part of Relay for Life.
“Everyone out there has a story, but there was no representation for ovarian cancer out there,” said Chaney. “Everybody knows about breast cancer and its symptoms, but nobody knows about this.”
According to Chaney, Brandi was only 30 years old when she was diagnosed, which, her doctors had told her was very unusual. Brandi began to notice symptoms in July 2010, which began with a lower back ache. Other symptoms of this type of cancer include persistent bloating, eating less but feeling more full, abdominal pain, rapid weight loss and bladder problems. Because of her age, doctors didn’t even think to look for the tumor until November 2010.
“She didn’t fit the ‘criteria’ for ovarian cancer, so there were no tests,” said Chaney. “Her surgery was scheduled for Dec. 28 of that year. She had a full hysterectomy and some of the tumor, which was the size of a football, was removed along with her appendix.”
Only 80 percent of the tumor was removed by surgery, the remaining 20 percent was treated with chemotherapy. For a while, it seemed that Brandi would bounce back. But in April 2011, a bowel blockage caused by a tumor appeared. This was also removed by surgery, but it would return in January 2012, spreading to Brandi’s brain. By then, there was nothing her doctors could do.
“Her spirit was never crushed, and she fought until the end,” said Chaney. “She had a huge heart, she would have wanted me to share her story so that others know the risks of the disease. A lot of people don’t know that a yearly gynecologist check up will not detect it.”
Chaney is currently promoting awareness for ovarian cancer by participating in the Teal Toes initiative during September, where participants will paint their toe and fingernails teal, which is the color that represents ovarian cancer awareness. Chaney also said that wearing teal colored clothing is OK for those that don’t paint their nails.
For more information on the Teal Toes initiative and ovarian cancer, visit tealtoes.org. Also, more information on Relay For Life of South Tangipahoa can be found at their ACS website.