The Strides for Hope 5K Walk/Run is held every September to promote ovarian cancer education and awareness. Help us in our effort to prevent women from being impacted by this disease.

The Strides for Hope 5K Walk/Run was created to help spread awareness to the central Ohio community. Held during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September, it provides a festive opportunity for families to celebrate survivorship, and to honor those who have lost their battle with the disease. Since its inception in 1999, Strides for Hope has grown from 200 walkers and a handful of survivors to over 1,500 participants and almost 90 survivors. This emotionally charged event attracts people of all ages who want to spread the ovarian cancer message to our community.

This year's event will be held:

Sunday, September 12, 9:00 a.m.
Westerville Community Center
350 N. Cleveland Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43082

Same day registration begins at 7:30 a.m., but you can avoid long lines by pre-registering online.

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Become an Event Sponsor

OCAO appreciates the philanthropic support of its corporate donors. Your financial help enables OCAO to continue its mission to further educate and promote positive awareness of ovarian cancer.

We need your support. In 2009, there were 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer and 14,600 deaths. The OCAO is an advocate for those affected by ovarian cancer. Funds raised will support valuable local ovarian cancer programs.

BECOME A SPONSOR NOW...

2010 Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference

Last year, the OCAO Board of Directors made the decision to become a partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA). Chris Gillespie and Bev Epps attended the twelfth annual OCNA conference in Washington D.C.

Guests included the best and the brightest in the ovarian cancer research community. There were break out sessions for young survivors, caregivers and spouses, as well as the opportunity to meet others who have been touchedby ovarian cancer. On the last day, buses were taken to Capitol Hill and delegations from each state met with their congressional representatives to lobby for additional funding for ovarian cancer research.

The conference this year will again be in Washington D.C., July 10-13 at the Omni Shoreham hotel. The OCAO board will be sending a small delegation to represent our organization, and would like to strongly encourage survivors and family members to attend. OCNA provides $500 scholarships to help offset survivor expenses.

The OCAO will help arrange transportation. A caravan is planned this year to help make it a fun trip to our nation’s capital. Anyone interested in partnering with others and sharing a room should contact the OCAO for further information.

Event Volunteers Needed

Strides for Hope Annual 5K Walk/Run

Volunteers are needed to help with this year's event. If you would like to participate, please contact the Volunteer Committee.

OCAO Presents Grant to OSU Gynecologic Oncology

On May 6, President Chris Gillespie and the OCAO presented a $5,000 grant to Dr. Jeffrey Fowler and Clinic Manager Tammy Meade at the Ohio State University Medical Center Office of Gynecologic Oncology at Mill Run in Hilliard, Ohio. This is the first of three grants the OCAO is awarding this year to area treatment centers. The clinic will use the funds to help ovarian cancer patients with financial needs due to costs involved with transportation, medical bills, and household expenses.

The OCAO also donated fifteen handmade survivor bags for newly-diagnosed patients. These teal fabric awareness totes, designed by Sew Stylin’, can be used to carry items to and from treatment.