Heroine with Humor: Amy Murrah’s Cancer Story

After being diagnosed with Stage IIIA Micropapillary Serous Carcinoma at age 29, Amy Murrah developed a passion for changing the image of ovarian cancer being an “older women’s disease” and impacting the lives of women with ovarian cancer.

Amy was in and out of doctor’s offices for 13 years—starting at age 16. She was misdiagnosed or told her symptoms were, “all in her head,” until being properly diagnosed after an exploratory surgery for what she thought was a hernia or endometriosis.

“I’ve since had five major surgeries, including two miscarriages and two bowel resections,” she wrote.

Amy first connected with the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) in 1999 and today she’s a National Race to End Women’s Cancer host committee member and the team captain of OvaRy’nforced—which consists of her family, friends and supporters.

“I’ve participated in the race every year, even when I could not physically run or be there,” she wrote. “Since I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I wanted that to be connected to the team name, yet with a little fun to it, and the ‘Big O’ was already taken by Oprah.”

This year, Amy organized the first Raise the Hood 4 Women car show in King George, VA on Saturday, Sept. 8, to raise funds for the race and the FWC.

“My husband is a car guy and I thought this would be a good way to more closely connect him to the cause. His car is included in the event logo and I thought the name would catch both men and women, with a sense of humor attached to it.”

The second annual car show will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019.

On Sept. 9, 2018, Amy celebrated 20 years of being cancer free—join her and other survivors at the National Race to End Women’s Cancer.

“Cancer does not define you. No matter how hard it may get, it’s okay to make fun and have a sense of humor as you muster through the good and the bad.” – Amy Murrah