This morning we got some sad news. Jane Younce, an avid spokeswoman for ovarian cancer awareness and a supporter and advocate of WORD, passed away. Jane had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer over two years ago. Jane often used her platform as a local newspaper columnist to help spread the message of awarness and hope. She was a woman of faith, character, and passion. I personally had been able to share a cup of coffee with Jane and her husband Steve multiple times as we talked and shared dreams of all women knowing the signs and symptoms of gynecologic cancers, the hope for early diagnosis, and of course the dream of a cure. Tonight as I type this . .. I wish we could sit down and have that conversation one more time.

Unfortunately this has not been an uncommon occurence in the last two years as I have worked with WORD. After hearing the news of Jane’s passing, ten year ovarian cancer survivor and a friend of Jane’s, Kolleen Stacey wrote to me:

“Our work is not over. Educate! Educate! Educate! I have lost three friends in the last couple of months and this must stop. Why is this happening? Because women our uneducated. Just this week I had a test and the medical technician was talking to me about my 10 year battle and asked me ‘Didn’t you go for a PAP test each year” and I said yes but “a PAP test only screens for cervical cancer.’ Every day I am amazed about the number of women that don’t know anything ovarian cancer, as well as the medical staff people that are not educated. I have had a number of nurses that don’t know the symptoms. Primary care doctors are missing it and some doctors doing surgeries that need to be done by gynecologic oncologist.”

Our passion at WORD and organizations like WORD is real. We want to see everyone know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and other gynecologic cancers! We want to see an diagnostic test for ovarian cancer! We want to provide hope to all women.

Kolleen ended her note to me today this way,

“So much work to be done - where do we start. I can’t do this by myself. Please call if you want to help or have ideas please call or send me an email

I just want to scream Nate - Education has just become on the front burner for me. Why I am still alive - it must be because God wants me to be a minister of education of ovarian cancer. Hopefully God will give me the strength and lead me to the best solution for education.”

I can’t say it any better than that! We need your help! Whether you give your time, your energy, your ideas, or your money. It is all needed. Contact us today!

Nathan Manahan
Women’s Oncology Research & Development

P.S. Read one of Jane’s Articles here
Email Kolleen here
Email Nate here
Donate to WORD here

WORD is committing to taking the “Because She Should Know!” Campaign to the following areas throught the rest of 2007 and 2008!

Northern Indiana

Detroit, Michigan

Columbus, Ohio

Indianapolis, Indiana

Seymour, Indiana

Central Illinois

YOU CAN HELP!

1. Join the planning teams! If you live in one of these areas you can help make an event effective. If you are interested please contact Nate Manahan by clicking here!
2. Donate Funds to the Because She Should Know Campaign!
3. Attend the events and bring your friends and family

sponsors:

Key Information:

Title: Because Mother’s (^daughters) need to know: A gynecologic cancer forum about the prevention, detection, and treatment of women’s cancers

Hosts: Congressman Dan Burton AND Women’s Oncology Research & Development

Details:

Date and Time: May 12, 9:00AM – 12:00AM

Location: Conseco Conference Center, Carmel, Indiana

MORE information to come!