Harts of Teal

Dear Friends and Family,

We sincerely hope this letter finds you and your families well. In February 2020 both Kim Airhart (41 years) and Andrea Sisler (56 years) were both diagnosed with stage 3C Ovarian Cancer.  As healthy and active wives and mothers, ovarian cancer was the last thing on our minds. Life as we knew it has changed forever.  Chemotherapy, major surgery, and maintenance drugs became our new way of life. Through this experience, we have learned how important it to make sure that women in our community have access to the ovarian cancer signs and symptom information. Many women experience these symptoms, but they are often explained away by based on other risk factors. We are motivated to teach women how to be their own advocate and to become educated about ovarian cancer and other important GYN related cancers. Our story has allowed us to connect with many others on the same journey.  Our passion is to expand our outreach and influence in the middle Georgia area. We are so thankful for our supporters that help us to make these dreams of saving other women come true. 

A few facts on ovarian cancer:

-#1 deadly cancer of the reproductive system

-5th leading cause of cancer related deaths in women

~22,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, 80% of those women will be advanced stage 3 and stage 4.

-Five-year survival rate of 39% and 17% with detection in stage 3 and 4 respectively. Once the disease spreads outside the ovary in cases like these, it is tougher to treat and has a very his rate of recurrence.

-Family history can play a role genetically in some cases, but for most women, there is not a family history indicating high risk.

-Symptoms are vague and often brushed off as other ailments. Please read them and become familiar with them.

-Most women are diagnosed in their 50s-60s, but there are a growing number of cases affecting women much younger and even some children (there are also several different kinds of ovarian cancer as well)

-Currently there is not an accurate screening test for detecting ovarian cancer. Pap smears do not test for ovarian cancer, ask for trans-vaginal ultrasounds, ca-125 blood tests, and other imaging like CT scans. Being aware of the signs and symptoms are your best chance of catching ovarian cancer before its spread.

For all the reasons above, Andrea and I, and our families felt it especially important to highlight the issues of ovarian cancer in our community.  We created Harts of Teal, Inc, an organization dedicated to elevating awareness of ovarian cancer through community-wide activities and fundraising.  We will be hosting our Second Annual Harts of Teal 5K Color Run/Walk- July 9, 2022 in Fayetteville, GA.  All donations are tax deductible with all proceeds going to community awareness campaigns and to defray the costs of our big event. We will be continuing local awareness initiatives such as “Teal for Teachers” and “Socking it to Ya”- Teal Sock Project. We are also partnering with other ovarian cancer foundations to achieve our goals and expand our patient education and support groups. We have also rolled out a “Blessings Through Trials” ministry that not only provides support to women while they are going through treatment, but also after treatment while they are navigating survivorship. We are so excited to learn more about how we can make an impact and save women’s lives. Much of what we do at Harts of Teal is dependent upon community support. We are so grateful for all that you do for us. For more information or to get involved, please visit our website www.hartsofteal.org.

We hope you will thoughtfully consider sponsoring our 2022 "Harts of Teal" 5K Color Run/Walk. 

Harts of Teal, Inc is a 501-c3 Non-Profit: 87-2366328. 

Thank you so much,

Kimberly Bragassa Airhart- President- Survivor

Andrea Sisler- Vice President- Survivor