Next Saturday morning November 4th, a remarkable group
of fourth graders will be holding a 5K Fun Run at Barrington Elementary School
in Upper Arlington, OH to raise awareness to the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and
to raise money in the fight against this “silent killer.”
Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent killer,” because
its early symptoms are vague and the disease often goes undetected. It is often
not diagnosed until it has reached its late stages and by then it is too late
to treat, leading to death within about five years.
For two very special seniors at Upper Arlington High School
the battle against ovarian cancer is personal. In November of 2008, then 3rd
grader at Barrington Elementary, Molly O’Connor lost her beloved mother and
member of the Upper Arlington community, Eileen O’Connor, to ovarian cancer.
The following April as a fourth grader, Molly saw Race for
the Cure signs and wondered why they didn’t have a similar race and publicity
for ovarian cancer. It was at this point
that she approached her fourth-grade teacher Katie Benton (Mrs. Benton was also
her 3rd grade teacher) and asked her if they could hold a race for
ovarian cancer.
Molly’s close friend, Dante Landolfi, also lost his precious
grandmother Bonnie Masdea around the same time that Molly lost her mother. Both
of their fourth-grade classes teamed up and with the help of their teachers, developed
the idea of a race which they coined Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! Racing to Beat
Ovarian Cancer.
Mrs. Benton with Molly and Dante at the 2009 race
Mrs. Benton with Molly and Dante at the 2009 race
Barrington Elementary School is located in Upper Arlington
which is a stone’s throw from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio
Stadium attracts over 100,000 fans to home games so it was only natural to name
the race after OSU’s biggest rival Michigan, since the race would be held two
weeks before the annual OSU/Michigan Game.
The two classes also partnered with the Ovarian Cancer
Alliance of Ohio and The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital and Solove
Research Institute which is located very close to Barrington.
Mrs. Benton spoke
of the importance of their help at the time, “Representatives from the James
Cancer Hospital came to our school to talk with the students about cancer, the
importance of research, and the mission/vision of the research institute. Both
partnering organizations played key roles as they interacted and educated the
students before, during and after the event.”
With the entire Upper Arlington community galvanized, and
due to the personal nature of this particular race, it was a rousing success.
Typically, the first time a race is held for a lesser known cancer it makes a
few thousand dollars and draws a few hundred people. The race drew over 900
racers and raised an astonishing $23,000 for ovarian cancer research.
Margot, a 4th grader at Barrington Elementary at
the time, expressed the impact a group of motivated fourth graders can have,
“You can’t underestimate what 4th graders can do. We raised more than
$20,000. If our classes helped prevent one person from getting ovarian cancer,
I am satisfied with what we did.”
The event was such a success that Mrs. Benton even mentioned
that it was her hope that down the road it would inspire other service-learning
projects and that students at Upper Arlington High School would even organize
similar projects like this for their Senior Capstone Projects.
Her idea proved prophetic, as this is exactly what
transpired. Dante, now a senior, approached Molly and suggested they bring back
the Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer race for ovarian cancer as their Senior Capstone Project at Upper Arlington High School. The Senior Capstone Project is a
graduation requirement at Upper Arlington and he wanted his project to be both
significant and memorable.
Dante, Molly, and Mrs. Benton getting ready for this year's race
Dante, Molly, and Mrs. Benton getting ready for this year's race
Dante shared his heart on what it means to him to be a part
of the race again and to honor his grandmother, “It means the world to me to be
able to do something to not only honor her memory, but to help prevent the same
thing from happening to other people. It means the world to me that I got to do
this 9 years ago and it means the world that I get to do it now.”
Dante and Molly both get the opportunity to work closely
with Mrs. Benton’s 4th grade class. Dante spoke about the opportunity
to mentor the 4th graders, “They absolutely love working for the
project and its cool to see them learn the same lessons that I learned. That
they can do practically anything if they set their mind to it.”
Mrs. Benton reinforced the importance of this real-world
learning as a supplement to traditional classroom learning. “It’s called a
service learning project. They are learning academic stuff and real-life skills
while they are doing it, and it also lets kids really capitalize on their gifts
and talents.”
Dante and Molly with the fourth grade class at Barrington Elementary
Dante and Molly with the fourth grade class at Barrington Elementary
This year’s race is soon upon us and the excitement in the
kids is palpable. The kids are busy using their gifts, making Buckeye necklaces
and other crafts and items to sell for the race. Teal is the official color for
ovarian cancer so look for there to be a lot of teal, and not just buckeye scarlet
and gray.
On Monday, October 30th Barrington
Elementary held a pep rally for the entire school to build momentum
for the race and also to educate kids and staff on ovarian cancer. Dr. David
Cohn, MD spoke at the rally. Dr. Cohn is a professor in the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the Division of
Gynecologic Oncology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of ovarian cancer can be
somewhat general and vague which often leads to a late diagnosis of the
disease.
Dr. Cohn explained the diagnosis process of ovarian cancer,
“Most ovarian cancers are diagnosed when its already spread. Stage 3 is the
most common point of diagnosis, and the chance at cure is lower.”
He went on to explain some of the symptoms to be mindful of,
“There are certainly symptoms of ovarian cancer and that includes abdominal
bloating, abdominal pain, feeling full quickly, and changes in urinary and
bowel movement habits as well.”
The ovarian cancer community sometimes uses the acronym
B.E.A.T to generalize the early symptoms that may arise in a person with the
disease. “B” stands for bloating, “E”
stands for eating less and feeling fuller, “A” stands for abdominal pain, and “T”
stands for tell your general practitioner.
The key is if a woman notices these symptoms, to go to their
physician immediately, so that if necessary they can conduct some kind of
imaging with a pelvic ultrasound or a CT scan; as there is no current screening
tool for ovarian cancer.
Dr. Cohn also discussed the importance of
maintaining a normal weight, a physically active lifestyle and eating a diet
rich in plant based products in order to help prevent the onset ovarian cancer,
advice which we could all benefit from.
A common theme that was mentioned by everyone involved in
the first race was that even if it just impacted one person, and saves just one
life, then all their hard work will have been worth it.
This is indeed what happened. A woman who attended the race
in 2009 went on to develop ovarian cancer. She credits the race and the efforts
of the 4th grade class with helping her spot it early and saving her
life. She is currently healthy and will be speaking to the 4th grade
class and participating in this year’s race again.
It’s stories like this that has brought together the 4th
graders and the Upper Arlington, and OSU community once again.
Abby Davis, a 4th
grader at Barrington Elementary, put it very eloquently why you should come out
and be a part of this year’s race: “It’s going to be so much fun. We have
activities and raffle prizes and you will be supporting a great cause while
helping raise awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and raising money
for a cure. Who doesn’t want to beat cancer?”
The Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! logo
The Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! logo
If you live in the Columbus area, please make every effort
to go to the race this year either as a spectator, or as a participant. Click here for race details and where to donate.
The kids have worked hard to secure sponsors so that all proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research and Education in Gynecology Fund at OSUCC-The James.
The kids have worked hard to secure sponsors so that all proceeds will go to the Ovarian Cancer Research and Education in Gynecology Fund at OSUCC-The James.
If you are unable to go, please make an effort to educate
yourself and your loved ones on the symptoms of ovarian cancer. You may never
know the lives you will impact or save.
Perhaps one day, we can all say that we not only beat
Michigan, but that we beat ovarian cancer too.
Nicholas Jackson
Copyright 2017 Nicholas Jackson - All rights reserved.
Nick is a 1997 graduate of Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio where he received his B.S in Biological Sciences. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Andrews University in Dayton, Ohio and then his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh. He has been published in the Newark Advocate, The Granville Sentinel, and the St. Louis Metro Voice; and professionally in the Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. Nick has also been a guest host on 88.9 WLRY and 880AM WRFD
Permission to reprint article required from author
Nick’s email: gobucks2204@gmail.com
Copyright 2017 Nicholas Jackson - All rights reserved.
Nick is a 1997 graduate of Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio where he received his B.S in Biological Sciences. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy at Andrews University in Dayton, Ohio and then his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh. He has been published in the Newark Advocate, The Granville Sentinel, and the St. Louis Metro Voice; and professionally in the Journal of Acute Care Physical Therapy. Nick has also been a guest host on 88.9 WLRY and 880AM WRFD
Permission to reprint article required from author
more
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete