"I am an Ovarian Cancer Survivor." This is a statement that I never imagined I would have to make until April of this year, when I was diagnosed while on vacation. However, I was in the right place at the right time, as I have benefited from research that helps Ovarian Cancer Patients. Due to ongoing research at the Mayo Clinic, I was accepted into a trial study for my surgery to remove all cancerous lesions. After the surgery, my Doctor felt very confident that I could beat Ovarian Cancer. By September, I will have completed my final session of Chemotherapy. There is a strong possibility that I will be part of another study aimed at preventing recurrence.

Each year, 20,000 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer; no test can detect Ovarian Cancer until it is in the late stages. Though there has been a decline in Ovarian Cancer diagnoses overall, there has been an uptick in new diagnoses in women under 50 years old. The hope is that with proper funding, we will develop an early detection method for Ovarian Cancer to help all women.