Why I Am an Ovarian Cancer Advocate

During the course of being a cancer patient, I’ve been told, “your disease does not define you,” more times than I can count. But I personally feel that my diagnosis has guided me onto a path of being an advocate, spreading awareness, fundraising for research, and building a community of fellow survivors.

While I have often struggled coming to terms with a reason as to why and how this diagnosis happened to me in the first place, I am constantly seeking out a greater meaning for it all. I will always tell others, “I didn’t go through all of this for nothing.”

Sharing my story

No doubt, my ovarian cancer diagnosis has lit a fire inside of me, one that gives me a more meaningful purpose in life – or at least that’s how I try to see things. I have since become extremely passionate about spreading awareness regarding the symptoms of ovarian cancer to help women get diagnosed at earlier stages, raising money to fund further research in search of alternative and more targeted treatment options, sharing my diagnosis story to help others feel less alone, and in turn, developing a global community of ovarian cancer patients alike.

I’ve also been told, “Don’t identify yourself with what limits you.” While cancer has inhibited my life in a number of ways, it has also opened so many doors. I have had people from all across the globe reach out to me and thank me for being open enough to publicly share my story. In fact, I’ll never forget the first time someone in the throes of active treatment told me that my story gave them a sense of hope and optimism for their own outcome. These words meant the world to me, and still keep me inspired to this day.

Living life to the fullest

I also try to live my life to the fullest, so I always make sure to share and celebrate all of my wins – no matter how big or small. This even includes my diagnosis day. Despite the complicated feelings that come with it, I am still able to acknowledge the anniversary and be grateful for everything I have overcome since then.

While recently honoring my 4-year post-diagnosis date in a social media post, a complete stranger replied, “Your gratitude and appreciation have a trickle-down effect that I don’t think anyone really understands. I am happy you have come this far with faith and hope and guess what, you can be in that 10 to 30 percent!” These kinds of comments encourage me to keep doing what I’ve been doing and validate the fact that I’m on the right path.

More advanced ovarian cancer patients deserve outcomes like mine, and if I can help others feel like there is hope, and inspire them to know that the 2-year survival statistics can be beat, then all of my efforts of publicly sharing my story and celebrating my victories have been absolutely worthwhile.