Run for Mary Lou, an Ignite for OCC initiative
The story behind “Run for Mary Lou” is one of love, resilience, and hope. Meghan and her husband, Peter, ran in the 2024 Tamarack Ottawa Weekend to raise awareness and money for ovarian cancer research. This effort is deeply personal, as it honours Meghan’s mother, Mary Lou, a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, and friend.
Meghan and her mother, Mary Lou
STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY: MARY LOU’S STORY
Mary Lou’s life has been shaped by her dedication to healthcare and her family. As a Registered Nurse (RN), she worked tirelessly to care for others, continuing her quality education in occupational health, infection control, and risk management. She’s a lifelong learner and a passionate advocate for her own health. But Mary Lou’s journey took an unexpected turn in 2019 when she was diagnosed with stage 2A high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Her diagnosis led to surgery, chemotherapy, and an initial hope that her experience with cancer would be brief. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2023, Mary Lou received the news that her cancer had returned. To complicate matters, she was diagnosed with breast cancer — two separate, primary cancers that required complex treatment plans. She had multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Mary Lou’s strength inspires her family today and every day she remains healthy offers hope that new treatments and discoveries will provide her with more options in the future.
"Running felt like a way to challenge ourselves physically and emotionally. It was a way to dedicate ourselves to a cause and reach out to our broader community for support"
A MARATHON TO CREATE CHANGE
In response to this challenging time, Meghan and Peter decided to do something meaningful to support Mary Lou. “Running felt like a way to challenge ourselves physically and emotionally. It was a way to dedicate ourselves to a cause and reach out to our broader community for support,” Meghan shares.
Peter, a seasoned runner, took on the full marathon, while Meghan, who had never run more than a few kilometers, ran the 10km race. “I planned to run the 5km, but my husband encouraged me to go for the half marathon. We settled on 10km!” Meghan laughs. “It was a big challenge, especially with a busy job and a toddler at home, but I wanted to make a difference.”
They ran not just to finish a race, but to make a difference for women like Mary Lou. By running in the Tamarack Ottawa Weekend, they raised over $7,300 for vital ovarian cancer research. “While research in ovarian cancer has led to some important insights, the reality is that outcomes for patients have changed very little over the years. This is unacceptable — we urgently need to accelerate progress and bring real hope to those affected,” says Meghan.
As the only organization in Canada that focuses specifically on ovarian cancer, Meghan and Peter’s fundraising allows us to provide resources and support to women facing the disease while investing in groundbreaking research. Every step taken in the OCC Run Series, whether through walks or runs, helps support this important work.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Congratulations and thank you to Meghan and Peter for their efforts in honor of Mary Lou. Their dedication to raising awareness and supporting ovarian cancer research is a testament to the power of community and love.
You can help! Sign up for an OCC Run event near you or register for the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope. Together, we can create a future where ovarian cancer is better understood, treated, and ultimately eradicated.