Harts of Teal

Dear Friends and Family,

We sincerely hope this letter finds you and your families well. In February 2020, founder Kim Airhart (41 years) was diagnosed with stage 3C/4A Ovarian Cancer.  As healthy and active wife and mother, ovarian cancer was the last thing on her mind. Life as she knew it has changed forever.  Chemotherapy, major surgery, and maintenance drugs became a new way of life. Through this experience, I have learned how important it to make sure that women in our community have access to the ovarian and other gynecologic cancer signs and symptom information. Many women experience these symptoms, but they are often explained away by based on other risk factors. At Harts of Teal, 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 Georgia and around the US. We are so thankful for our supporters that help us to make these dreams of saving other women come true. 

After 3.5 years of being "No Evidence of Disease", we have learned that my cancer has returned. I am currently undergoing chemotherapy, but I promise to still make the mission of Harts of Teal a priority. My team of volunteers and other survivors will be coming along side me. We are so grateful for the support and love we have received.

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 4th Annual Harts of Teal 5K Color Run/Walk- June 8, 2024 in Fayetteville, GA.  All donations are tax deductible with all proceeds going to community awareness campaigns. We will be continuing local awareness initiatives such as “Teal for Teachers” and “Socking it to Ya”- Teal Sock Project. We also plan to 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 2024 "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- Founder-President- Survivor