UPPER FREEHOLD: Walkathon to support ovarian cancer research

By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Managing Editor
   In the summer of 2007, Terry Veiga was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
   ”By the grace of God, I was one of only 10 percent of women that found the cancer while it was Stage I,” Ms. Veiga said. “After surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy I am now cancer free, and plan to stay that way.”
   Sadly, that is not the norm. Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women and the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer in the United States. Of all the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer only 44 percent will survive five years or more. If cancer is found in Stage I that number leaps to 90-95 percent, according to Ms. Veiga.
   ”Five years ago my cousin Madelena lost her seven-year battle with this terrible disease,” Ms. Veiga said. “On Saturday, Sept. 27 I’ll be participating in a walkathon for the Kaleidoscope of Hope. The mission of the Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation is to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and increase awareness of the symptoms of this silent disease. We will be walking in memory of Lena.”
   The last few years Ms. Veiga’s team, “Trekkin’ With Terry,” raised over $4,000 per year through the walkathon for the Kaleidoscope of Hope.
   ”We had a great time on the beach,” Ms. Veiga said. “There was music, food and free massages. Can’t beat that.”
   This year, Ms. Veiga hopes to put together another team of participants and contributors.
   ”I’d love to get together and walk with a team,” she said. “You can walk either one, three or five miles.”
   The Sept. 27 Kaleidoscope of Hope Avon Walk on the Boardwalk starts at 600 Ocean Ave. in Avon-By-The-Sea. Registration is from 8:15-9 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:15 a.m.
   ”Wouldn’t that be a great way to spend a Saturday morning,” Ms. Veiga said. “Last year over 50 people joined us. It was a very moving day.”
   Those who can’t walk that day should consider helping with a donation, according to Ms. Veiga.
   The walkathon raises money for ovarian cancer research and increases awareness about the deadly and difficult to detect disease.
   ”We spread the word about what the symptoms are and what women need to look at,” Ms. Veiga said. “A pap test does not test for ovarian cancer, just cervical cancer.”
   Ovarian cancer is often difficult to detect in its early stages. Because of this, it often progresses to an advanced stage before being detected. According to the American Cancer Society, 77 percent of women are diagnosed after the disease has reached an advanced stage.
   Kaleidoscope of Hope Foundation raises money each year with walkathons, golf outings, and other events to assist researchers in learning more about ovarian cancer and new kinds of treatment. Grants and awards are given at an annual spring gala. This year, grants were awarded to Dr. Michael Goldberg, of Harvard University, to study synergistic immunotherapy for improved treatment of ovarian cancer; Dr. Laura Dillon, a postdoctoral fellow at University of Virginia, School of Medicine, to study differential deneration of MicroDNA in ovarian cancer; and Dr. George Preti, of Monell Chemical Senses Center, to study ovarian cancer screening using an interdisciplinary investigation of its volatile signature.
   To register for the Kaleidoscope of Hope walkathon or to make a donation, visit http://kohnj.myetap.org/fundraiser/2014Walks/individual.do?participationRef=3909.0.858929805.