The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, headquartered in Havertown, hosted its 11^th Annual Gala, “Teal-gating for Ovarian Cancer” last Saturday, at TRUST in Old City, Philadelphia, raising $90,000 to held fund ovarian cancer research.

September is Ovarian Cancer awareness month and Olympic gold medalist and ovarian cancer survivor Shannon Miller delivered the keynote speech and spoke emotionally of her journey battling cancer this past year.

Miller, 33, was diagnosed in January 2011 with stage one ovarian cancer and underwent surgery to remove a baseball-sized tumor. She endured a grueling and aggressive chemotherapy treatment, which ended in May and is now speaking about her story of survivorship; helping to bring awareness to the issue and to remind women to take time to care for their health.

During her speech, Miller told the hundreds at the sold-out event that she nearly canceled the doctor’s appointment that revealed the cancerous tumor.

“I was busy starting my new business and caring for my young son. I thought, 'I’ll just reschedule it.' But a little voice told me to just go in and get it done. That visit changed my life forever. If I have one message to women, it is … don’t neglect your health, make and keep those appointments,” she said.

The event honored several people for their work in raising awareness and funds for research including, Dr. Michael Seiden, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Fox Chase Cancer Center who was given an honorary award for his work in ovarian cancer treatment and research.

The event also featured a silent auction of hundreds of items including sports items and gift baskets for attendees to place bids to win.

The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation was formed as a tribute to the life, character and immense strength of Sandy Rollman who passed away from advanced ovarian cancer at the age of 33. 

In her memory, Adriana Way, Sandy’s sister, and Robin Cohen, her nurse, started the foundation in December 2000. The organization raises awareness of ovarian cancer, advocates for early diagnostic testing, more effective treatments, and raises funds to advance research.

In the last 11 years, the foundation has raised more that $1 million for research. They hold monthly meetings for women in treatment. They have developed educational and training programs and are currently lobbying for government to double the funding for ovarian cancer research.

They also started the “Get Real with Teal Campaign” where more than 100 towns and neighborhoods across Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey dress lampposts and storefronts with teal ribbons, and turn the lights of the Philadelphia skyline teal during September’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Local business owner, Vickie Mann, attended the event. Her company Innovative Promotions and Events in Havertown helped to create and distribute the teal ribbons.

“I started out helping to create the ribbons two years and I have been with the foundation ever since,” Mann says.

For more information on the foundation, programs and future events, visit www.sandyovarian.org.