Let Us Shine a Light on World Ovarian Cancer Day May 8 2024

Kiwanians are volunteers “dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.” The members of the Kiwanis Club of Mill Creek take over today’s post to feature our club’s Social Media Coordinator, Tammy Evans.

May 8 is World Ovarian Cancer Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness and to educate women (and men) about ovarian cancer. Mill Creek Kiwanian Tammy Evans has been doing just that. Diagnosed in 2016, she takes from her experience to educate women (and men) about the subtle signs of ovarian cancer which can strike females of all ages – including young girls and teens. There is no reliable screen for ovarian cancer and once symptoms arise, it is often advanced.

Having compassion for women diagnosed with cancer, Tammy with her husband Steve started Tammy’s Totes of Hope. Since 2018, Tammy’s Totes of Hope has donated well over 100 thoughtfully curated totes to be given to cancer patients at the University of Washington, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Evergreen Hospital. The totes are on hold for now, but Tammy’s advocacy educating women of the world is stronger than ever on Instagram. Tammy’s Totes of Hope is a source for ovarian cancer awareness, encouragement, and hope.

Tammy currently serves on the Survivor Advisory Committee for Northwest Hope and Healing. She was honored in 2022 as a model in their “Life In Color” survivor fashion show representing gynecological cancer. She actively supports The Rivkin Center and Powell-Drescher Ovarian Cancer Research Center. The collaboration between ovarian cancer survivors and ovarian cancer researchers is key to conquering ovarian cancer.

Tammy uses her voice to improve lives in our community by spreading awareness about ovarian cancer. You will find it hard to find anyone more resolute to live fully and joyfully. “Every day is a gift.” Tammy wants females of all ages across the globe to know the symptoms that “whisper”, often mimicking digestive issues:

• Bloating
• Lower back ache
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Lack of appetite or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms – urgency or frequency
• Intermittent abdominal pain and pressure
• Changes in digestive tract
• Unexplained fatigue
• Loss of weight
• Know your family and personal risk factors, including genetic links. If breast cancer (BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations) runs in your family, there could be at risk for ovarian cancer.

Openly discuss ovarian cancer with your physician. There is no reliable screen for ovarian cancer.

The Kiwanis Club of Mill Creek dedicates this post to the incomparable Mill Creek Kiwanian Tammy Evans. She is a constant source of inspiration – bringing her delightful humor and vitality wherever she goes. She is a source of hope and enCOURAGEment for cancer thrivers. She wants nothing more than to bring awareness to early detection and the research into treatment of ovarian cancer. Have compassion. “Don’t pass judgement and be kind. You never know what someone is going through.”

Learn morel www.ovarian.org