You Are Our #Everydaysuperheroes
From everyone at the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC), thank you to those who supported and participated in the 2018 National Race to End Women’s Cancer—we are continuously blown away by the strength and commitment of our gynecologic cancer community. Proceeds from the race benefit the mission-based programs of the FWC, including research, education and public awareness of gynecologic cancers.
As a result of 92 race teams and over 1,200 individuals, over $390,000 has been raised so far to support women with gynecologic cancers.
Among the participants was Wendy Ericsson, race co-chair and captain of fifth-year team Wendy’s Warriors, who was named the 2018 Superhero Survivor for the considerable amount of work she’s done towards our vision of ending women’s cancer. Through numerous different fundraising efforts, Wendy’s Warriors is on track to contribute $28,000 to the FWC and secure the title of top fundraising team.
We want to send our appreciation to the entire host committee for their amazing team building and fundraising efforts—they are survivors, family members, health care providers, business executives and creative thinkers who help promote the race and mobilize people across the nation to get involved.
#EndWomensCancer Weekend would also not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors: TESARO, Clovis Oncology, Lilly Oncology, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Eisai, Genmab, Hologic, ImmunoGen, Intuitive, Leap Therapeutics, Merck, Myriad and Genentech.
Lastly, thank you to the following companies and organizations for their generous donations: Corner Bakery Cafe, Jenny Osoria of JennyO Fitness/DanzaTone, Samantha Parker of Neoteric Movement Systems, the Teen Angel Project, Lee’s Flower and Card Shop, Kendra Scott, Panera Bread, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Fresh Market, Food Lion, Giant Food, Summer House Santa Monica, La Madeleine, Nordstrom Rack, Potomac River Running Store, Home Depot and the Washington Capitals.
N.E.D (No Evidence of Disease) Named FWC 2018 Public Service Award Recipient
Nimesh Nagarsheth, MD, attending physician at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, NY and N.E.D. band member, accepted the FWC 2018 Public Service Award at the National Race to End Women’s Cancer in Washington, DC for the band’s commitment to bringing attention to gynecologic cancers and raising funds for ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer awareness.
“It’s fantastic. We really thank the foundation and the SGO for thinking about us and considering us—we’re thrilled to have received this award,” said Dr. Nagarsheth. “It’s our ten-year anniversary, so it’s a nice landmark to be recognized and we very much appreciate it.”
In 2008, six gynecologic oncology surgeons found a unique and meaningful way to bring the gynecologic cancer community together—through music—and N.E.D was created. N.E.D. or No Evidence of Disease, are the words every cancer patient wants to hear. In 2015, the band’s journey was captured in the documentary film, No Evidence of Disease, with the primary mission of increasing gynecologic cancer awareness—the film has been shown in Regal Cinemas nationwide and has been broadcast on PBS over the past four years with an estimated viewership of 230 million people. In 2018, Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine teamed up with N.E.D. to release the single, Life as It Was. Today, the band has 28 original songs and has released three albums.
While N.E.D. originated as a cover band to entertain peers at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting, it has grown into a powerful movement giving a voice to those impacted by gynecologic cancers. N.E.D. has performed for over 45,000 people at 75 live performances in the past ten years, and has raised 1.5 million dollars for various charities, including the FWC.
N.E.D. is currently comprised of five gynecologic oncologists from around the country. In addition to Dr. Nagarsheth, the current lineup is John Boggess, MD, from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, NC; Joanie Hope, MD, from Providence Alaska Cancer Center in Anchorage, AK; Robert Burger, MD, from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA; and William Winter, MD, from Compass Oncology in Vancouver, WA, and Portland, OR. Former members of the band included William “Rusty” Robinson, MD, from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, and John Soper, MD, from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
The FWC Public Service Award is presented annually to individuals or groups who have engaged in extraordinary efforts to support women diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Other recipients have included race co-chair, Camille Grammar, Barbara Walters, Fran Drescher and Saralyn Mark, MD—the first Senior Medical Advisor to the Office on Women’s Health.
FWC 2017 Annual Report
Year after year your support helps the FWC raise funds for ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer research; provide valuable and accessible education courses about gynecologic cancers to patients, survivors and their families; and bring awareness to more people about gynecologic cancer prevention, symptoms and treatment.
“When you support the FWC, you are supporting our mothers, daughters, spouses, children and siblings as well as their friends and families,” wrote Amy Murrah, 20-year ovarian cancer survivor and advocate.
Read last year’s highlights in the FWC 2017 Annual Report and thank you for joining us as we strive to eradicate women’s cancer.
