Target Ovarian Cancer Fundraising Manager Amy Cartlidge who is based in London arrived in Torquay where she gave a talk to members and guests during March – the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
The new campaign ‘Target One Million Women’ is aiming to save lives by making one million women aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and to raise vital funds to improve the lives of women diagnosed with the disease. Members were concerned to hear that awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer is still woefully low 3% of women asked could only name one symptom. Early diagnosis is key to survival, but unless women know to be concerned about their symptoms, and unless GPs know to consider ovarian cancer, lives will continue to be lost.
Amy asked people to support the campaign by doing everything they can to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. One in fifty women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime so everyone was encouraged to take up the 50s Challenge and talk to fifty women to inform them of the symptoms of ovarian cancer with one of their leaflets (which were available on the night) and to raise £50.00 towards their work.
Amy was joined on the evening by Mary Chamberlin a local lady who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just over two years ago. Mary shared her symptoms, diagnosis and treatment with us and we are thrilled to hear that she is in remission and cancer free. Using her own story Mary highlighted the need for new and better ovarian cancer treatments, she couldn’t speak highly enough of the treatment received whilst in Torbay & Exeter Hospitals and the value of Clinical Nurse Specialists whose care she had received whilst under going treatment.
Programme Action Convenor Maureen Hunnable was proud to present a cheque to Amy & Mary, which was a donation from members and guests and proceeds from the raffle. A vote of thanks was given by Secretary Dr Jasmine Dawkins. President of the club Veronica Prowse hoped that our donation would help towards improving the chances for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
