By Sarah Kuper
“Making a difference for mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.” That’s the mission of the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
Started by Lori Livingston after watching her mother succumb to ovarian cancer, the foundation has raised money for research through events such as Motherwalk and Ovarian Cycle.
Although ovarian and other gynecologic cancers present only in women, the disease can affect men emotionally as well.
One man affected by ovarian cancer is Todd Miner.
Todd’s wife, Stacy, lost her sister Brittany Waldrep to ovarian cancer nearly 10 years ago. Waldrep was 24 years old and already stage IV when she was diagnosed.
“I’ve got a wife, I’ve got a mother. The thing about the disease is that it is silent until it is too late,” Todd Miner said.
Both of the Miners have served on the board of the foundation and together with Stacy Miner’s family started the foundation’s car tag initiative.
The teal Drive Out Ovarian Cancer tags are available for $50 through the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles. Proceeds from the tag – nearly $80,000 last year – go UAB Hospital for ovarian cancer research.
With Mother’s Day around the corner, foundation members are getting ready for Motherwalk – a 5K walk and fun run at Homewood Park on May 14.
Board member Robin Bloomston said being involved in Motherwalk has opened her eyes to the urgency of finding a cure.
“I haven’t experienced ovarian cancer but when I see someone participating in the walk one year and then the next year someone is participating in memory of them, it is heartbreaking.”
Bloomston and foundation founder Lori Livingston are close friends who have daughters the same age.
“I would hate to see anyone going through it, much less our daughters. Right now, there is no good screening test to catch it early. We want to work for that,” she said.
Motherwalk began more than 10 years ago as a small group walking in Crestline. Now the event has moved to Homewood Park and last year almost 700 people participated.
Bloomston said one of her favorite parts of volunteering on race day is the people who wander by and ask for information.
“People may be driving or walking past and they stop to talk to us to learn more. Sometimes they give an on-the-spot donation, too,” Bloomston said. “It restores your faith a little bit.”
For the Miner’s, involvement with the foundation is in honor of Waldrep, but it also is a chance to change the future for ovarian cancer patients
“It’s to support the families going through it and to educate others about the disease and how to cope,” Todd Miner said.
“The problem is the symptoms are common ailments. It’s horrifying what women have to go through and it’s often too late when they figure it out,” Bloomston said, “And we all have women in our lives we want to protect from that.”
The foundation not only organizes fundraisers, but also sponsors support groups for women with the disease and even for women who have tested positive for the BRCA gene – the gene mutation that increases the risk of breast and gynecologic cancers.
Organizers said that, although ovarian cancer is a frightening and devastating diagnosis, they are working to make sure Motherwalk is an upbeat and celebratory event.
The UAB mascot Blaze and the Birmingham Baron’s mascot Babe Ruff will attend the event, and food from local vendors will be available throughout the morning.
To date, the foundation has raised almost $1 million dollars, with the money going to local initiatives such as the UAB Department of Gynecology Oncology.
To register, visit motherwalk.com and to learn more about the foundation and ovarian cancer visit nlovca.org.
