Feature Stories
Learn about new initiatives underway to overcome ovarian cancer and meet people who are committed to making a difference.
Stories found here are from Seeds of Hope, the monthly e‑newsletter.
Last month, community members tuned in to Ovarian Cancer Canada’s first ever Town Hall and learned about the new strategic plan to affect changes that save lives.
“For me, this time of year renews my hope for the future. It’s a time to enjoy friends, family, and of course, my Mum,” says Cailey Heaps.
Health Canada is suggesting that use of talcum powder on the female genital area may be a possible cause of ovarian cancer. With class action lawsuits in Canada and the United States, speculation about a link has circulated for some time now. This recent announcement has sparked new concerns.
While everyone’s experience with ovarian cancer is unique, there is no support like that of someone who has been there. And that’s exactly what women with ovarian cancer find on OVdialogue, an online platform specifically for women living with the disease.
At this year’s Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope, thousands of women and families banded together to form a circle of support that spanned from coast to coast. Weather reports were mixed but hearts were warm and spirits were high.
At home and internationally, Anne Chase is a force of nature. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1998, she’s made helping others her top priority.
Each year, 2,800 Canadian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and just over a quarter of them live in the province of Quebec. This is due in part to the region’s large population and there is some evidence to suggest that the BRCA gene mutation is more prevalent in the French Canadian community, increasing risk for ovarian cancer.
When Louise Nolet marked her fifth year out of treatment, she wanted to find a way to acknowledge the milestone. "I had to do something to change the course of this disease!" she says. After searching online, she found the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope and registered to walk in Quebec City.
Balbina Pereira was diagnosed with Stage 2 ovarian cancer in November 2016. Balbina’s husband Manuel and her daughters, Stephanie and Vanessa, quickly stepped up to form her support team and continue to be by her side every step of the way.
It’s been nine years since Houda Moussallier began volunteering for Ovarian Cancer Canada. Today she continues to dedicate her time to what she calls “the cause of my life.”