OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS is nationally recognized annually in the month of September. Los Angeles civic leaders honored this critical women’s health issue for the 5th consecutive year, declaring an Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day and paying special tribute to the nonprofit organization, The Ovarian Cancer Circle/Inspired by Robin Babbini.
President Nury Martinez (CD6), Council members Paul Koretz (CD5) and Monica Rodriguez (CD7) have been steadfast champions behind the LA Council’s advocacy of ovarian cancer awareness. Endorsing a public display of renewed support, the LA Council again initiated impressive lighting displays in the city. On September 29 City Hall and the famed LAX pylons were aglow in teal, the national branding color for ovarian cancer.
Teal lights illuminate Santa Monica Blvd during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2021
Separately, the City of West Hollywood renewed its civic participation in recognizing Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The street lanterns along the stretch of Santa Monica Blvd were shining teal September 24th – September 30th.
In 2018, approximately 22,240 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed in the US, with the grim statistic of 14,070 ovarian cancer deaths. Four out of five ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced staged disease. To date, there is no early detection test. The pap test does not detect ovarian cancer. Therefore, improving the ability to screen for ovarian cancer as early as possible is a research priority because women diagnosed with localized-stage disease have more than a 90% five-year survival rate.
City Hall, Downtown, illuminated in teal to celebrate Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
The Ovarian Cancer Circle/Inspired by Robin Babbini was founded by Ebell member, Paulinda Schimmel Babbini. Her daughter, Robin, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was still in high school. Despite grueling treatments and surgeries, Robin died when she was only 20 years old. “There must not be any more Robin stories,” asserts Paulinda. The Circle, its Board and its volunteers are dedicated year-round to networking at local, regional and national gatherings, educating women of all ages about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Moreover, The Circle raises money that supports medical research being conducted at the esteemed G.O. Discovery Lab, headed by Dr. Sanaz Mermerzdeh, based on the UCLA campus and to date has contributed over $800,000.
The Circle’s next fundraiser, Roxy’s Got Balls Drag Queen Bingo is Sunday, 21 November at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas at 6:00pm.
For further information, see www.theovariancancercircle.org
