The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) began its annual fundraising walk in 2002 and over the years it has been held at various locations across metro Atlanta. In its inaugural year, the GOCA Walk was held at Centennial Park and has had many celebrated walk routes since then. Regardless of its location, the GOCA Walk, rebranded as the “Teal Trot” in 2014, has always been a hallmark fundraising, advocacy, and community empowerment event for GOCA and the ovarian cancer community. This year’s Teal Trot is being held at Chastain Park on September 18.
Brittany Winn of Buckhead lost her mother, Carolyn, to ovarian cancer in June of 2018. “I do the Teal Trot to remember my mother and to keep her memory alive among our family and friends,” says Brittany. “The Teal Trot brings awareness to ovarian cancer which was one of my mom’s main life missions once she was diagnosed.”
Teal is the color associated with the ovarian cancer community, and Chastain Park will be a sea of teal on September 18. There will be teal t-shirts sporting team names and walkers adorned with feather boas, sashes, banners, balloons, streamers and tiaras.
Brittany feels that it is her mission to carry on her mother’s legacy by keeping her memory alive, especially every September during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The Teal Trot is just one example of Brittany’s support. “You are not alone and do not give up hope,” says Brittany. “Join the Teal Trot, attend the Shaken, Not Stirred Gala in support of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance.” For Brittany and so many others, these two GOCA events show just how many people, most of whom are complete strangers, are there to love and support everyone through this journey.
The Teal Trot is designed for walkers and runners at various paces. Whether you enjoy a casual walk or a competitive race, this survivor-forward event is intended to gather us in remembrance of those who are no longer with us, and also to honor and recognize women, their families, caregivers, and all who have all been affected by ovarian cancer.
“Before my mother was diagnosed, we had no idea that the BRCA gene ran in our family,” says Brittany. “Mom made it her duty to educate our family and ensure that we all got tested as well.” Through Carolyn’s dedication, Brittany found out that she too had the BRCA gene mutation. It is through a mother’s advocacy and passion for her family that Brittany has the ability to be proactive and make better decisions in her own life. It's a true gift from her mom, for which she is eternally grateful.
Brittany has participated in the Teal Trot since her mother’s diagnosis. That first year she walked by her mother’s side, and in subsequent years she and a small group of friends and family continue to fundraise and walk in her memory.
Throughout its history the Teal Trot, Georgia’s largest ovarian cancer awareness event, has had over 25,000 participants and has raised 1.7 million dollars in support of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance’s mission of education and awareness throughout Georgia.
For more information about the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance or the Teal Trot please visit GAOvarianCancer.org