Raising ovarian cancer awareness

<p>Has the life of you or a woman you know been affected by cancer?</p><p>In honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day, the Petaluma Women's Cancer Awareness Group hosts a Teal Time celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 at the Petaluma Woman's Club.</p><p>“This event is for all women affected by cancer who are interested in finding reliable resources to make their cancer journey easier,” said Lydia Zipp, a Petaluma native and founder of the Women's Cancer Awareness Group. “Resources for the event include free programs for complimentary therapies, as well as where to find reliable information on the Web and to celebrate survivorship.”</p><p>Zipp, a 10-year survivor of stage four ovarian cancer, founded the WCAG out of desire to educate, inform and support other women. The non-profit group is for all women affected by cancer and is dedicated to increasing awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of gynecologic cancers, such as ovarian cancer. The group meets once a month at the Petaluma Community Center.</p><p>If caught in its early stages, ovarian cancer has a five-year survival rate of nearly 93 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. The survival rate is just around 20 percent if diagnosed during later stages. Diagnosed at the final stage, four, Zipp acknowledges how fortunate she was to have beaten the odds and has made it her mission to help others on their journey.</p><p>“We started out giving information and resources, and doing awareness talks,” said Zipp. “Cancer survivors started coming to the talks, so we started an education and empowerment program. That's where my heart is — in education and empowerment. A lot of us go to the doctor and get our pap smear thinking they are checking for everything, but the truth is, there is no diagnostic test for ovarian cancer.”</p><p>The Teal Time event will feature guest speakers from Sutter Integrative Health Center, Ceres Community Project, American Cancer Society, Hospice, Serendipity Wellness Center and Smart Fitness 4 You, as well as local author Dr. Catherine Held.</p><p>Music will be provided by Cathe Kiler and Diane Deardorff.</p><p>“The cost of this program is only $10, but we want all women who are interested in the topic to be able to attend,” added Zipp. “We have complimentary passes and a sliding scale.</p><p>The event is fragrance-free, so guests are asked to refrain from wearing fragrance.</p><p>For more information and tickets, call 769-8325 or visit www.wca group.net.</p><p>(Contact Yovanna Bieberich at yovanna.bieberich@arguscourier.com)</p>