In the News

Caring Together, Inc. has established three partnerships to promote research and early detection of ovarian cancer.  The funding for these projects comes from the Teal Ribbon Run/Walk and other donations.

1. Gynecologic Cancer Foundation (GCF) –The first annual $50,000 grant has been awarded to Dr. Thomas Krivak, MD.  Dr. Krivak is a gynecologic oncologist from Magee Women’s Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.   Dr. Krivak’s research focuses on ovarian cancer-related gene changes that could lead to the development of a serum biomarker that may identify patients who are at risk for disease recurrence as well as to identify which patients may respond well to therapy with bevacizumab (Avastin). 
2. Lynne Cohen Foundation (LCF) – $50,000 was awarded to Dr. Stephanie Blank, MD, to support her work at Bellevue and NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.  Dr. Blank oversees the research on women and families who are at high risk for developing ovarian cancer.  The program provides ongoing state of the art patient care and collects crucial data to advance the understanding of ovarian cancer.
   
   
3. Caring Together Ovarian Cancer Diagnostic Fund – Caring Together has partnered with the St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation and the Albany Medical Center Foundation to provide financial assistance to capital region women who are uninsured/underinsured and are at high risk for and/or are symptomatic for ovarian cancer.  Negotiations are underway to expand the program to additional capital region hospitals.  Women must meet income and resource requirements to qualify for the program.  St. Peter’s 518-525-1565; Albany Medical Center 518-262-1981.   

2009 SLIDE FOR A CURE

The 2009 Slide for a Cure took place on Sunday, March 1st, at West Mountain Tubing Park in Queensbury, NY.  It was an enjoyable, educational and profitable afternoon.  

Rays of Hope and Caring Together members who participated in the event were Andrea Annese-Como and members of her family, Maggie Cook and members of her family, Mary Davis, Suzanne Hodgkins, Judith Mazza and Maureen O’Brien, Beverly Relyea, and Earla Woodworth.  It was a beautiful day and everybody had fun!  

Rays of Hope and Caring Together, Inc., the ovarian cancer support groups in the greater capital region, set up an ovarian cancer awareness display inside the West Mountain Lodge.  The display included the Caring Together quilt.   

West Mountain donated the proceeds of the afternoon tubing event  to Rays of Hope and Caring Together, Inc. Special thanks to Mike Barbone, President and General Manager, and West Mountain for sponsoring this great event!

Save the date!   The 2010 Slide for a Cure will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2010 from 1:00 to 6:00 PM! 

Chanel Treats Caring Together Members to Makeovers

Caring Together “Beauties” and Chanel Makeup “Magicians”

Looking good makes you feel better! 

No one knows that better than Mary Teresa McCormick.  Mary Teresa (MT) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2007.  Following major abdominal surgery and nerve damage that left her unable to walk, MT was facing months of chemotherapy to fight the cancer and rehabilitation to recover her ability to walk.

She knew what she needed to do to get her “game face” on for the difficult months ahead.  In her wheelchair, MT visited her friends, makeup artists Darcy Stryker and Wanda Lee Hanan, at the Chanel cosmetics counter at Macy’s in Crossgates Mall.  Not only did Darcy and Wanda help her with morale-boosting make-up tips and
products, they kept in touch and cheered her on as the months passed.  MT says they were her “angels” during some very dark times.

Since MT’s recovery, she and Darcy conceived the idea of providing makeovers for members of Caring Together.  On Wednesday evening, November 12, 2008, Darcy, Wanda and two additional makeup artists from Chanel attended the monthly support group meeting at Gilda’s Club and provided makeovers for more than a dozen
grateful gals.

The makeovers took place in the Community Room at Gilda’s Club.  Support group facilitator Ann Purchase set up a festively decorated table for punch, veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, and cookies.  MT brought copies of Linda DeBrita’s beautiful CDs “Whispers” and “Roberta’s Garden” to provide background music.  The four make-up artists from Chanel were able to work on four gals at a time.  During the makeovers, the support group met in a smaller room adjacent to the Community Room. 

The evening was an unqualified success.  Everyone looked great and felt good!

Caring Together would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you!” to Darcy Stryker (counter manager) and Martine Berube from the Chanel counter at Macy’s Colonie Center and to Wanda Lee Hanan (counter manager) and Lisa Hughes from the Chanel counter at Macy’s Crossgates.  You made our evening! 

For more photos, see our Photo Gallery.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Quilt Donated to Caring Together

Members of Caring Together display the beautiful teal
colored quilt made by Barbara Champney

Barbara Champney, 77, of Bennington, Vermont, is an ovarian cancer survivor.  After Barb was diagnosed in 2004, she and her husband, Richard, attended many Caring Together support group meetings. 

Sadly, Richard passed away in 2007, and Barb is no longer able to make the long drive to attend evening support group meetings.

Nevertheless, Barb has kept the work of Caring Together and her support group “sisters” in her heart.  She made the beautiful teal colored quilt pictured above and donated it to Caring Together. 

The quilt is covered with tiny teal ribbons, the symbol for ovarian cancer awareness.  The quilt will be used for education and awarenss activites carried out by volunteers from Caring Together.

Thank you Barbara!  

Caring Together  Donates $90,000 for Ovarian Cancer Research

The article below first appeared in the Times Union on Thursday, April 10, 2008.  Used by permission of the Times Union.

Caring Together, a Capital Region ovarian cancer support group, recently donated $90,000 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund from its sixth annual Teal Ribbon Run/Walk.

The donation was made in memory of Laura Kerzic of Niskayuna, a member of Caring Together who worked to raise awareness of ovarian cancer during her 4-year battle with the disease.  Kerzic died in June [2007] at age 48. 

Caring Together also recognized the contributions of Linda DeBrita of Scotia, a member of Caring Together who died March 12, 2008 at age 53.  In the past two years, DeBrita recorded two benefit CDs and donated the $17,500 proceeds to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. 

The Caring Together support group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Gilda’s Club in Latham.  Survivors, family member and friends are welcome.  Caring Together Too, a support group for newly diagnosed women, meets on the third Monday of each month at the To Life location in Delmar.