Recently, you may have noticed a plethora of teal ribbons adorning the light posts around Collierville Square. The ribbons say, “Know the Symptoms: The Silent Disease,” and “An Awareness Campaign for Ovarian Cancer.” September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. 

As they have done for the past several years, this September, the Town of Collierville is participating in “Turn the Towns Teal.” This national campaign works to make both women and men more aware of ovarian cancer, its “silent” symptoms and risk factors. 

Currently, there is no conclusive early detection test for ovarian cancer. Nearly 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, most of them over the age of 63, according to the American Cancer Society. Approximately 80% of those women are only diagnosed once the cancer has reached an advanced stage. 

However, when diagnosed in its early stages, ovarian cancer survival rate raises to an incredible 90%, which is why Turn the Towns Teal wants to raise awareness of symptoms that could indicate ovarian cancer. 

The Turn the Towns Teal campaign was founded in 2007 by Gail MacNeil, who lost her ten year battle with ovarian cancer in 2008. MacNeil also founded The Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation (KOH) in 2000, alongside other ovarian cancer survivors. As Turn the Towns Teal raises awareness, KOH fundraises for ovarian cancer treatment research. In the past twenty years, KOH has raised nearly $2 million for organizations and institutions dedicated to ovarian cancer research and advocacy. 

To learn more about the Turn the Towns Teal campaign, check out their website here, and get involved on social media by using #turnthetownsteal on your posts!

Story by | Regan Hewitt