The winner of 2010 Peggy Truscott Award of Hope is the Ottawa Listen to the Whispers Team. Congratulations to this group of volunteers which currently includes 33 survivors, family members and colleagues! Their efforts to raise awareness in the Ottawa region and to support Ovarian Cancer Canada demonstrate dedication, support and leadership—qualities they share with Peggy Truscott in whose honour this award was established in 2003.
Since 2006, the Ottawa Listen to the Whispers Team has conducted 177 Listen to the Whispers (LTW) sessions for 3500 attendees in a broad range of venues. One of the highlights occurred in September 2009 when the team offered LTW presentations on Parliament Hill in both official languages. This group increases the profile of ovarian cancer and Ovarian Cancer Canada through the media with ongoing advertising through newspapers, websites and television appearances of the members. Participating at 28 health fairs, women’s shows and other events, they have reached another 130,000 individuals.
Keltie Purcell is the current team coordinator, supporting the work of Wendy McBride and Carol Sprott, two remarkable women who have succumbed to the disease. Wendy and Carol began the team as a pilot project to optimize volunteers’ talents and to more effectively spread the word in the Ottawa area.
Ovarian Cancer Canada is grateful to the energy and commitment of the Ottawa Listen to the Whispers Team!