“The diagnosis of ovarian cancer changed my wife forever. It made her a different woman,” says Joseph Hemati of his wife’s reaction to the news from her doctor. When Sam shared her news with Joseph, he was shocked and could not believe what he had just heard from his wife. “I was devastated. It changed our lives. I cried like a baby and I think that God heard my cries.”
Joseph was in a meeting when he received a call from a co-worker who told him that his wife needed him to come home. “It was one of the worst days of my life.” Joseph speaks very highly of his beautiful wife and business partner. “She is the most dedicated mother and grandmother. She is known for her honesty and her hard work.”
Joseph believes that there is a lack of knowledge and information about the symptoms of ovarian cancer. “People really have no clue about this disease,” he says. For Sam and Joseph there was only one week between her diagnosis and the surgery. Thankfully, their friends and family all came together to support them.
Sam Threeths of Roswell is an ovarian cancer survivor and is a proud supporter of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance. She and her husband both believe that it is everyone’s duty to discuss the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. As a result of their journey, they have become advocates for early detection. “Take five minutes and call your gynecologist. Ask questions about ovarian cancer. Make sure that you and every woman in your life is okay.”
GOCA continues to touch the lives of women and their families across our state through awareness and educational programs such as Teal to Heal, the annual fashion show hosted by Tootsie’s of Buckhead, and The Teal Trot annual charity walk at Chastain Park.
For the third year in a row, GOCA has opted for a virtual Shaken, Not Stirred charity fundraising broadcast, which will be held on June 12. The one-hour broadcast features educational and informative content about the organization and its mission, and also highlights members of their community. This year, in conjunction with the broadcast event, GOCA is thrilled to offer an incredible dine-along experience with menu items from the Capital Grille Dunwoody. To learn more about the broadcast event and dine-along please visit GOCA.home.qtego.net
For more information about GOCA, its mission to educate women, their families, as well as the health care community about the risks, symptoms, and treatment of ovarian cancer leading to earlier detection; or, to learn more about their community fundraising efforts please visit GAOvarianCancer.org
