Help Doug raise money

For the past 15 years as Executive Director of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA), I have witnessed the devastating toll this disease takes far too many times by stealing mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends in the very prime of their lives.

For me, it became personal when my mother-in-law, Wendy Sheron, was diagnosed. We had no idea that her history of breast cancer and her Ashkenazi Jewish heritage placed her at higher risk for ovarian cancer. By the time we learned, it was too late and she was already stage 3B. Wendy fought courageously for 5½ years, but we lost her.

I often find myself saying, “If only we knew.” If we had known the risks, if we had recognized the symptoms, I truly believe Wendy would still be here with us and celebrating weddings, grandchildren, birthdays, and nearly 19 years of precious moments that this disease stole from her, and from all of us who loved her.

That is why I am asking you to support the GOCA Teal Trot 5K. Your donation honors Wendy and the countless others taken too soon, and it helps ensure that more families will have the chance to share life’s milestones, the weddings, the graduations, and the simple everyday joys that should never be stolen.

Together, we can turn “if only we knew” into “thank goodness we knew.” Please, give today.