The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance turns 25!
The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. From its humble beginnings around a dining room table to a nationally recognized women’s organization, GOCA continues its education and advocacy work through its Bag of Hope Program, Survivors Teaching Students, and the many education and awareness programs and events held annually across Georgia. The Shaken, Not Stirred Gala, now in its thirteenth year, promises to gather the community of survivors, family, supporters, and caregivers together for an uplifting evening of remembrance, fellowship, and fundraising.
The worries over the pandemic kept GOCA’s medically fragile community from celebrating at its annual fundraising gala, but this year it is going to be different. “As we celebrate GOCA’s 25th Anniversary, we are committed to the founding members’ vision and mission of the importance of ovarian cancer education, awareness, and early detection," says executive director Doug Barron. “After three years of cancellations, the anticipation and positive energy of being able to finally gather in person for the GOCA 2023 Shaken, Not Stirred Gala is very exciting.”
GOCA’s approach to virtual storytelling evolved during the pandemic and they created many memorable biographies, music videos, heartfelt stories of survival, and memorials. These stories and so much more can be viewed on the video page of their newly redesigned website, GAOvarianCancer.org
Whether supporting our community at the Shaken, Not Stirred Gala, walking with a fundraising team at Teal Trot, or strutting down the runway at Teal to Heal, GOCA’s continued presence in our community and across Georgia strengthens their mission and offers much-needed support to women at every phase of their diagnosis and treatment.
Meet Kim
Kim Lauerman was devastated when she learned about her diagnosis. “I was very aware of the implications and the fight I had ahead of me,” says Kim. “I would not say that I have been cancer free, but I have had complete remissions the three times that I have been treated with chemotherapy since November 2017.” Kim has worked in the cancer industry for over 30 years and has a very close-knit group of industry friends who supported and watched over her along the journey. “Overall, my journey has been a blessing,'' says Kim, “I am so thankful for my life, my family, and my friends." She does admit, however, that it has also been a rollercoaster.
GOCA helped Kim with a network of survivors that she could access and also provided a way for her to advocate and help others in return. As with so many survivors, Kim speaks with many newly diagnosed patients and offers an open line of communication just as others had done for her. “GOCA can be your starting point,” she says.
Kim has taken a very active role in this year’s Shaken, Not Stirred Gala and is working diligently to build and support this year’s silent auction. She has also participated in the Teal Trot and Teal to Heal. Both events highlight GOCA’s community and offer survivors a chance to meet other women and to hear other stories of survival. Kim’s hope is that patients and healthcare providers use the knowledge disseminated by GOCA to recognize the potential signs of the disease and catch it earlier.
Meet Sam
“I was in disbelief and I was certain that it was a misdiagnosis,” says Afsaneh (Sam) Threeths. “I was in denial for the first hour. Then I realized that there was no time and that I had to get ready to fight.” Sam remembers that there were very difficult times and that it was not an easy post-surgery and chemotherapy journey. She says, “I remember there was a time when I did not think that I had the strength to fight the battle.”
As fate or luck would have it, both of Sam’s children were at a place in their lives where they were both able to relocate to be home with their mother during her treatment and recovery. Sam shares, “I will always give all for my family and if that means staying strong and fighting then that is what I had to do.”
Sam learned about GOCA at her support group at Northside Hospital and credits the organization with helping her to build a network of women who were all experiencing a similar journey. “I made lasting friendships," she explains. "I hope that I can support others just as those women supported me.” Sam shares her experiences and what she has done to stay healthy and stay positive. She has participated at Teal to Heal and the Shaken, Not Stirred Gala. She is grateful for GOCA and its support. She hopes that they continue to provide informational seminars and spread awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
As GOCA continues to grow and evolve, they are always looking for new heroes. There are many ways to get involved. You can sign up for an event committee, help with fundraising, or even volunteer to help at any of the incredible outreach events that GOCA hosts annually.
The 13th Annual Shaken, Not Stirred Gala is being held at Georgia Aquarium on March 1, 2023. For more information about GOCA’s community outreach, survivor programs, and fundraising events or to become a sponsor please visit GAOvarianCancer.org
