Living Again (And a fun little challenge for you, too)

My blog, that is, is living again. No, really. I'm bringing it back with a fresh Voice, my Voice from a different perspective and joined with other OvCa Survivors. Cancer will always be personal to me, but my eyes and heart have seen cancer, particularly gynecological cancers, from a different perspective since I went to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference in July. I was honored to be awarded a the Judy Childress Scholarship from the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation here in Memphis to attend this amazing conference in our Nation's Capital of Washington D.C. I went as a Survivor, and came back a Survivor/Advocate poised to make progress.

The conference was not at all what I thought it would be, like many things in life. I pictured bald women holding hands and crying a lot. (Why do I still think of that first when I think of women cancer Fighters and Survivors?? That's a stereotype, an UNTRUE stereotype.) Though tears were shed- some of sadness, some of accomplishment and pride, this conference was about education, empowerment and getting Poised for Progress in advocating for ovarian cancer on national and state levels.

This conference was full of Teal (the color representing ovarian cancer) Power, Sisterhood, detailed education and and a grass roots type movement to raise awareness of this often deadly disease to individuals and government as well as raising money for research. It was empowering to the Teal power! I came home changed, healed, grateful for new friends and mentors, and ready to step out of such a personal relationship with cancer and into the role of an Advocate. My world has gotten bigger and richer- all because I had cancer. Now that's catalyst-ism at it's best.

If you'd like to see the videos, summaries or power point presentations taken from the conference, please click here. There is tons of great information, there was no fluff at this conference! Great job, OCNA! And thank you.

The conference wasn't all education and business, though. We had a party to celebrate OCNA's 15th Birthday! There's a video of me dancing, but no one will ever see it. That's a promise, and you're welcome. I was having so much fun I didn't get very many pictures but here are a couple. The first (left to right) yours truly, Carol Rodman, and Judy Childress. They are Board members of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation in Memphis and are warm, kind, and lovely women who are working diligently to raise awareness of OvCa not only in Memphis, but nationally too. I love them pieces and am deeply grateful for both of them. That's the honest truth, it was such an honor to be at this conference with them. If you'd like to see the photo galleries from the conference, please click here.

Fun little Challenge for YOU: I found myself in 6 pictures (use the link above), if you can find all 6 and identify the photo number I'll send the first 3 people a little fun prize. Please send me an email with your answers. Do not post your findings/answer as a comment because that would give it away!

I couldn't go to DC without doing a bit of sightseeing. Here are the highlights- 

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Me in front of the Capital

A truly AWEsome sight

World War II Memorial

Another part of the WW2 Memorial

I am filled with gratitude for the experience of this Conference... I have so much more to share with you, my dear patient readers,- all with roots in this Conference. There's time, thankfully, I have time to share it. I'm deeply grateful to be in my 21st month of Remission. If feels a little silly counting the months, but each month- each day- is truly precious. 

Next blog post will be about what OCAF- Memphis is doing for OvCa advocacy in the Teal month of September. (There's LOTS, and you can be a part of it. Yep, you.)