International awareness takes flight

June 18, 2015

World Ovarian Cancer Day exceeds expectations

On May 8, World Ovarian Cancer Day swept through the nation and beyond. Having started just two years ago with 28 participating organizations, this year’s activities encompassed a total 107 organizations creating a groundswell of awareness in 31 countries around the globe. Countries signing up for the first time included: Japan, Egypt, Romania, Greece, Croatia and the Netherlands.

Banding together to create one voice for every woman, participating organizations encouraged people to pledge online to send an ovarian cancer awareness email on May 8. Around the world, 5990 pledges were received. Of these, 513 pledges originated in Canada. By comparison, 1335 Americans pledged, 291 in the UK.

This year’s awareness drive also invited people to send in photos depicting their unbreakable bonds for a video compilation that was viewed by close to 8,500 people.

Here at home

Volunteers across the country brought World Ovarian Cancer Day to their fellow Canadians. Actress Cobie Smulders, who recently went public about her journey with the disease, tweeted throughout the day.

Actress Colbie Smulders takes to Twitter

Other highlights included:

People who have been touched by ovarian cancer wrote to letters to community publications. Read Meaghan Girouard’s story
In Halifax, Kothai Kumanan shaved her head in memory of her mother at Breakfast in Teal
Ottawa City Councillor Catherine McKenney officially proclaimed World Ovarian Cancer Day
Toronto volunteers greeted commuters with teal ribbons and promotional postcards
Mayor Bowman led a flag raising ceremony at Winnipeg City Hall
Saskatchewan’s Minister of Rural and Remote Health, Greg Ottenbreit, raised the flag at the Provincial Legislature
At night, tonnes of Canadian landmarks were lit in teal. Among them: BC Place, Calgary Tower, Calgary’s Langevin Bridge, Edmonton’s High Level Bridge, Toronto City Hall, CN Tower and Niagara Falls
And much more!

Dr. Barb Vanderhyden and her research team in Ottawa	Toronto volunteers blitz transit stations
Flag raising at Winnipeg City Hall	Saskatoon volunteers at City Hall

BC Place goes teal

“Our thanks to the volunteers who contributed to the success of World Ovarian Cancer Day,” says Elisabeth Baugh, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada and Chair of World Ovarian Cancer Day’s Organizing Committee. “This year’s event reached more people than ever and exceeded our expectations – and it’s because of each and every one of you.”

Up next…

The success of World Ovarian Cancer Day is proof positive of the community’s strength in numbers.

Remember, September is Awareness Month. Get your teal ready and strap on those sneakers for the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk for Hope. It’s the largest, most powerful event of its kind in Canada and there’s always room for more people aiming to make a difference against this disease. Please register today and invite your family, friends and colleagues to join in as you Walk for HER.