The Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance has planned its annual Time to Teal event on Sunday, May 12, in downtown Ann Arbor with hopes of spreading awareness of ovarian cancer.
The event consists of a 5k run and a one-mile fun run/walk for individuals to participate in. Prior to the races, there will be an art demo by local chalk artist David Zinn, and there will also be characters from Neverland Entertainment and Wolverine Blasty who will be available to take photographs.
"It's just a really fun morning," Diann Glaza-Helbling, event manager of the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, said.
This marks the thirteenth year of the event, with it annually taking place on Mother's Day. It was started by the nonprofit organization's co-founder Pam Dahlmann following the loss of her mother Geri Fournier to ovarian cancer.
"[It's] a way for us to celebrate not only our moms, but all women, all of the people that we consider our mother figures in our lives," Glaza-Helbling said.
In addition to spreading awareness of ovarian cancer, the event also aims to raise funds for the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
All proceeds raised will go toward funding the organization and its work. Some of the work that the organization does includes sending support totes to newly diagnosed individuals, facilitating support groups for survivors and caregivers, and advocating for research funding.
The organization's ultimate goal is for there to one day be an early detection test for ovarian cancer.
Jennifer McCurdy is a Time to Teal committee member. At 38-years-old, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Prior to McCurdy's diagnosis, she was experiencing a painful ovarian cyst that was consistent and a doctor had told her that they would continue to watch it. McCurdy then visited another doctor who decided to move forward with a surgery. During that process, the ovarian cancer was found and a hysterectomy was completed. She then completed three rounds of chemotherapy.
"Thankfully, [finding] it was a fluke because the symptoms are so innocuous that it's not something that women are going to go see a doctor for," McCurdy said.
Symptoms can range from person to person, with some of the possible symptoms being discomfort, a sense of feeling full, and experiencing pain that can occur in differing areas.
"We know our bodies when we don't feel well, and so that's why we want people to just be aware and mindful," Glaza-Helbling said.
The organization aims to continue spreading awareness of ovarian cancer and of the associated teal ribbon through its events and programming.
"It's important ... to get the story out, for those of us to tell the story and to talk and hype it up for those that can't," McCurdy said.
In-person registration for the event will begin at 7 a.m., with the 5k run beginning at 8 a.m. and the one-mile fun run/walk at 8:10 a.m. The event will start at 113 South Ashley Street in Ann Arbor.
More information on Time to Teal and the link to register online can be found on the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance's website.
