For the sixth year, some 800 teal-clad runners and walkers will take to the streets to raise awareness for ovarian cancer. The Teal Ribbon Run/Walk benefits Hope for Heather, a Liverpool-based organization dedicated to helping women with ovarian cancer and raising awareness about the devastating disease. The nonprofit was started by Frieda Weeks to honor the memory of her daughter, Heather. In November of 2008, Heather lost her battle with an aggressive form of colon cancer. But before her passing, she worked for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, making it her mission to eradicate the disease. After her death, her mother started Hope for Heather to carry on that mission. “Heather educated me about ovarian cancer when she took the job with OCRF. Like everything she did in life, she never did anything small,” said Frieda Weeks. “She taught me about the disease, shared with me how important it was to get the word out. Six years later, I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. This journey has been an amazing experience and the strong, and brave women and families I have met along the way has blessed my life immeasurably.” The run got its start in 2009, a year after Heather died. It’s held in September to mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Weeks said the event is an effective way to spread the word about Hope for Heather’s mission and the warning signs of ovarian cancer. “A walk for a cause is a great way to create awareness and educate the general public about the disease,” Weeks said. “It also gives survivors, and families affected by ovarian cancer a voice in the community. It’s an easy way for people to honor their loved ones and raise money for a cause close to their hearts.” The run itself is so named because the teal ribbon represents ovarian cancer awareness.
“Heather wanted to create a world where the teal ribbon was as recognizable as the pink ribbon for breast cancer,” Weeks said. “World awareness was something she dreamed about when she worked for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.” This year, the run has a new location; instead of taking place at the Inner Harbor, the race will kick off the Minoa Festival in the Park at Lewis Park, now in its second year. “We have this beautiful park, and we were talking with the mayor about how we had to get some activities in it,” said Minoa Deputy Mayor Bill Brazill. “We decided we wanted to do a festival to do something to wrap up the end of summer and move into fall.” With their old venue under construction, Weeks said the race found an excellent replacement in the village of Minoa. “When we met with them, it seemed like a perfect fit,” she said. “The village of Minoa is filled with great people, and we are excited to partner with them and to bring our awareness mission to their event.” In addition to the run, the event includes fireworks, sponsored by Greg Rinaldi of Superior Seal and Trappers Family Restaurants, as well as a classic car show, eight live bands, bounce houses, face painting and other family-friendly activities. This year’s event includes 22 local vendors, up from 10 last year. The Teal Ribbon Run came to be a part of the festivities because the village wanted to include a race as part of this year’s festival. “We were actually looking to do a run or something with a new charity,” Brazill said. “The Teal Ribbon Run and Hope for Heather kind of fell into our lap. They were looking for a new home … and they loved our setup. We’re really excited about it.” Weeks said Hope for Heather is excited, as well, to continue to carry out the work Heather believed to be so important. “So many times, people battling cancer feel alone; their caregivers feel alone,” Weeks said. “Being able to come together at a big event with hundreds creates a huge sense of community and coming together.” She urged women to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of ovarian cancer, for which there is no specific test and which is often only diagnosed after it has reached an advanced stage. “Know the warning signs – bloating, abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly and back pain can be warning signs,” she said. She also encouraged men and women alike to join the Sept. 13 event. “Come out and walk or run with us and help save lives.” The Teal Ribbon Run/Walk will take place starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Lewis Park in Minoa. There will be a 5K run on a certified course, as well as a 3K walk. The Festival in the Park will follow. For more information or to register, visit tealribbonrun.org.