Listen: it whispers... LoughRee's Battle

As we lead up to MOCA’s signature September event, HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer on Saturday, September 6, I wanted to share my story as the Team LoughRee Captain.  I have formed Team LoughRee in honor of a special colleague. 

I remember Friday, October 25^th, 2013 like it was yesterday. My colleague, LoughRee and I were out running errands for a work event. We were having so much fun spending time outside of the office until LoughRee received a phone call that would change her life forever. What she didn’t know was that she was about to begin the biggest battle of her life. 

Within days she learned she had a Sertoli-Leydig tumor and was diagnosed with a rare form of Stage I ovarian cancer. The type of cancer LoughRee has is only diagnosed in .5% of woman.

From that moment in my car when LoughRee received that terrible phone call, I decided I was going to do everything in my power to support and comfort her. And I’ve worked to do that through her treatment. It warms my heart to see her smile after giving her a new magazine to read at chemo or goodies for her chemo bag.  

LoughRee is an inspiring woman. She shows up to work every day with a smile on her face even after an exhausting week of treatments and managing the chemo side effects. LoughRee has a huge heart and always puts everyone before herself. There are weeks where she brings treats for the office to thank the staff for filling in for her. If you see LoughRee at the walk at Teal Strides, ask her for one of her cupcake recipes!    

LoughRee has an amazing support system both at home and work. I am proud of her strength, determination and positive attitude during the last 9 months. I am honored to call LoughRee DeWitte my friend and I am thankful that she was brought into my life. 

That’s why I’ve been inspired to form a team for the upcoming HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer. Her friends, family and colleagues are all teaming up to walk, run and show our support to all of those affected with this disease. 

We’re doing this for LoughRee and all women with ovarian cancer. We need to break the silence and raise awareness for ovarian cancer. We need to raise more money for research for an early detection test and better treatments. Our hope is that with our support of Teal Strides, no woman will have to battle this disease in the future.

Please register on Team LoughRee on this link:
http://2014TS.kintera.org/teamloughree

LoughRee DeWitte & Stacey Schmitt