Teal There’s a Cure focused on family and support to battle cancer

By Jason Gabak

Editor

For Kim Mathieson, a member of the Maureen T. O’Hara Teal There’s a Cure walk/run, committee, has had a very personal connection to the Marcellus based event that will be heading into its eighth year on July 4.

“My mom was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer in 2010,” Mathieson said. “I started out running in it and I got invited to help with the committee.”

Mathieson said she was inspired to run in support of her mother, Mary Santee, but also because the event has a commitment to find a cure for cancer.

“It is inspiring to be a part of something like this,” Mathieson said. “It is inspiring to run or to walk and to see how much support there is for this and how many people are coming out to help find a cure for this disease.”

It is this mission that the O’Hara family believes has resonated with the many people who take part in the run year after year.

Kevin O’Hara, Maureen’s brother, has been pleased with the way the fundraiser has grown.

“We are dedicated to finding a cure for all cancer,” O’Hara said. “I think people make a connection with that and we appreciate all of the support from all the people who come to run to all the volunteers that help. We couldn’t do this without all of them.”

The 5k walk/run was started in 2009 by the O’Hara family to educate people about ovarian cancer; teal is the official color for ovarian cancer awareness.

The race is held in honor of Maureen O’Hara, who passed away from ovarian cancer one week after the 2012 race.

The race was officially renamed in Maureen’s honor in 2015.

“We strongly believe that the first step to ovarian cancer prevention is education and awareness of the disease,” O’Hara said. “In 2015, we were able to donate $31,000 to several local and national cancer research and support organizations. That money may not cure cancer immediately, but every dollar donated helps get one step closer to the development of new treatments and detection tests.”

Last year, more than 600 people participated in the race.

For the O’Hara family this continued growth year after years has been a moving testament to what they have created.

“Year one we said we would be happy if we had 100 people,” O’Hara said. “We had 300 people. We hoped to raise some money to go towards research. With the support of so many people we have far exceeded our goals.”

A total of $25,000 was donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, $2,000 was donated to the Upstate Cancer Center and $4,000 was donated to Gynecologic cancer survivors Reinforcing Awareness, Caring, Education and Support (GRACES) a local support organization for women with ovarian and other gynecologic cancers in 2015.

Over the past seven years, the event has raised more than $259,000 to support awareness, education and research of ovarian cancer.

“One of the tough things about ovarian cancer is it is so non-specific,” O’Hara said. “One of the most important things about what we are trying to do is raise awareness and share more information so people can learn more about this disease.”

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the United States.

More than 20,000 women are diagnosed each year and approximately 15,000 women die annually from the disease.

Due to the non-specific symptoms of ovarian cancer, only 15 percent of all cases are found at an early stage.

According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, most cases are not diagnosed until a later stage, resulting in a 45 percent survival rate.

Currently, there is no early-detection test to specifically screen for ovarian cancer.

Mathieson knows all too well how this disease can touch the lives of so many.

While her mother was cancer free, she had recently been re-diagnosed and has been undergoing treatment.

“We recently had some good news,” Mathieson said. “Her cancer markers were down, so she is responding to the chemotherapy treatments.”

Mathieson and her family and many friends have all taken an active role in the event.

Whether they are walking or running or volunteering behind the scenes, it is a moving experience.

“I’ve had friends and coworkers come out and run,” Mathieson said. “My family volunteers. The O’Hara family has been so supportive to my mother and we are happy to be able to do something to help.”

Mathieson gives her time out on the course, making sure it is safe for runners and she makes a point of thanking each person that crosses her path.

“It really is amazing to see,” Mathieson said. “It is just amazing how supportive people are.”

In volunteer role, Mathieson also reminds residents to exercise patience during the run.

“I just want to give people a friendly reminder that the roads will be closed for a little while on the race course,” Mathieson said. “We hope everyone can understand.”

For the O’Hara family, it is not easy to find words to express how meaningful this support is.

But the family is honored to have helped create something that has touched the lives of so many people.

“We always say it is a good way to start the Fourth of July,” O’Hara said. “You come out and run and then you can go celebrate the rest of the day. We really appreciate all the support and we appreciate how supportive everyone is for this cause.”

If You Go

Maureen T. O’Hara Teal There’s a Cure run walk

Monday, July 4, at Marcellus Park

Award ceremony to follow at 10:15 a.m.

For more information visit gracesgarden.org.