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St. Elizabeth partnering with Teal We Find a Cure to raise money for ovarian cancer awareness, research


St. Elizabeth Healthcare is partnering with the Teal We Find a Cure organization to raise awareness and research dollars for ovarian cancer by hosting an annual fundraising event on August 2, from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Triple Crown Country Club in Union.

Teal We Find a Cure is a non-profit organization that was founded to celebrate the life of Tracy Keith.

Tracy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014. After diagnosis, she began her crusade to educate women about ovarian cancer, often referred to as the silent killer. Tracy lost her battle in 2017, but her family and friends continue her work through the Teal We Find a Cure organization.

Ovarian cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages and as the disease progresses symptoms are typically non-specific such as pain in abdomen, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. Genetic screening is an option for those at risk for ovarian cancer.

“Ovarian cancer is often silent, with little or no symptoms,” says Justine Snyder, Genetic Counselor at St. Elizabeth Cancer Center. “Women need to be educated on their risk factors and get genetic screening if appropriate.”

Snyder not only helps women get genetic testing for cancer, she was a friend of Tracy’s, serves on the board of Teal We Find a Cure, and discovered through genetic testing that she is at high risk for ovarian cancer.

“There are 20 different genes associated with ovarian cancer,” says Snyder.

“Genetic screening can show errors in one of those genes that may put you at risk for ovarian cancer. Knowing you have a genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer will allow you to get proper screening during your childbearing years. Then after you have had children, you could take prophylactic steps to prevent cancer by having your ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.”

Genetic screening may be covered by insurance if you have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, prostate, pancreatic, or colon cancer; or if family members were diagnosed with those cancers at a young age. You can also receive genetic testing for cancer risk through self-pay options.

The mission of Teal We Find a Cure is inspired by the life of Tracy Madrick Keith. It is to fund research and education that gives women the early detection screening they need to beat ovarian cancer. Snyder reminds women, “Be aware and get screened.”

Tickets for the event to support ovarian cancer research are $75 per person.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.tealwefindacure.org.

You can also make donations to the organization on the website.

The Sly Band will provide entertainment at the event and live and silent auctions will be held throughout the night. Teal is the color of the ovarian cancer awareness ribbon, so wear teal to the event.

The inaugural event was held in 2018 and raised over $15,000.

This year’s goal is to raise $30,000 to benefit the new St. Elizabeth Cancer Center. The center will be right here in Northern Kentucky on the St. Elizabeth Edgewood campus and will be the largest comprehensive cancer center in the region. The new Cancer Center will expand clinical research programs and access to leading-edge therapies for the communities in Northern Kentucky.
 
 


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