National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Illinois chapter hosts 20th annual run, walk

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- The Illinois chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition will host its 20th annual run and walk this Saturday.

Michelle Mekky, a spokeswoman for the group, is a three-year ovarian cancer survivor. She joined ABC7 News This Morning to talk about the kind of work the NOCC does and how you can help!

PRESS RELEASE

IL Chapter 20th Annual Run/Walk

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Arlington International Racecourse

Participants can still register day of. Day of registration opens at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $50 adults and $40 kids under 12.

Run/Walk Facts:

-We've taken 248,800,000 steps nationwide at Run/Walk events in past 2 years

-Raising an average of $400,000/race

-Approximately 3,000 attend each year with nearly 150 survivors

-Second year at Arlington Racecourse. Participants can stay for the horse races for free after run/walk is over

The money raised from this event supports local and national programs. Locally it supports our survivor outreach and gatherings, awareness materials and events, and nationally it supports our 3-year commitment to Stand up to Cancer Dream Team and research.

Three-fold Mission: Research! Early Detection Test. And Help for women suffering recurrences.

Early detection and paying close attention to changes in our bodies is key. Symptoms like bloating, frequent urination and pelvic pain that seem to come from nowhere need to be checked out immediately - the sooner diagnosed, the better the survival rate.

Donations will be accepted online until June 30.

Community Events

-In the past 2 years, we took 248,800,000 steps nationwide at Run/Walk events all across the country, where 2,000 Survivors were honored.

-Starting in 1998 as the "Walk for a Whisper" 5k Walk/Run, this event has expanded significantly over the years, and the IL chapter has now held this event for 20 years locally.

-The NOCC's Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer signature event is hosted annually by more than 25 NOCC chapters in communities nationwide

Organizational Growth

-For more than 25 years, the NOCC has been a source of courage, hope, and empowerment the community. We've established offices, chapters, and impact in all regions of the country, making us the largest ovarian cancer organization of its kind in the nation.

-NOCC has grown from a "started around a kitchen table" grassroots group to the largest community-based organization of its kind in the world

Earlier Awareness

The foundation of the NOCC is stronger than ever with earlier awareness campaigns that tell it like it is:

-TAKE ACTION. NOT CHANCES.TM / EARLIER AWARENESS 2015 CAMPAIGN

-NOT KNOWING IS KILLING USTM / EARLIER AWARENESS 2016 CAMPAIGN

-More than 260,000 pieces of ovarian cancer literature were distributed over the past 2 years

Research

-Through our partnership with Stand Up To Cancer, the first ever Ovarian Cancer Dream Team continues to make progress in the area of DNA repair.

-NOCC's Research In Action multi-year financial commitment to Stand Up To Cancer's "Ovarian Cancer Dream Team" is now working on accelerated science, which will one day lead us to an early diagnosis test, and ultimately to a cure.

Quality of Life

-Faces of Hope totes and packets for the newly diagnosed are distributed in over 200 accredited healthcare institutions nationwide.

-NOCC CancerConnect Community, an online platform, provides a way for survivors and caregivers to share their experiences in a safe, evidence-based, and moderated forum.