Donna Carle

We are Melissa and Rebecca Carle from Galloway, NJ and Baltimore, MD. We lost our mother to ovarian cancer when Melissa was just 15 years old and Rebecca 17. April 11, 2024 marks 15 years that she will have been gone.

Unfortunately, we found out our mom carried the BRCA1 gene mutation (which she inherited from her father), and Rebecca was tested and also has it, so we are still very much affected by the disease today through both the loss and the genetics.

We are excited to try and shed a light on ovarian cancer, as we did not know anything about it until our mom was diagnosed, as well as keep her alive in spirit no matter how long it’s been. #TEALtheresAcure

-Melissa and Rebecca

Sherri Bryan

My mother was lucky to have survived ovarian cancer. She was well informed about medical issues and actually had early symptoms. She went to her doctor as soon as she saw early signs of a problem. She was able to have surgery quickly and stop the spread of this disease. She enjoyed a healthy life with her family and grandchildren for many years after her diagnosis. We were so lucky to have that precious time with her. Research for more diagnostics and treatments is so important to allow more women to be given the gift of time.

-Tari E

Barbara Smith

I am running in honor of my mom. She continues to give me strength through times of joy and times that are more challenging. I will always remember how she treated EVERYONE with the same amount of kindness and respect, and will carry this on for my lifetime. Her compassion and love of life inspire me to strive to be a better person every day. I am so grateful for every moment I got to spend with her before her life was cut short by ovarian cancer. She is loved and dearly missed by all her family and friends.

-Beverly G

Brenda Ray

Brenda’s love and legacy lives on! So proud of Allie and Kate Ray for creating this wonderful organization to benefit others. You are your mother’s girls…she will always be the most generous, beautiful, and loving person I will ever know and love. My best friend- Brenda Ray- My Ray of hope. I love you forever.

-Jody C

Sue Reidy

Sue was a brilliant educator and compassionate friend. I had the privilege to know her through many chapters of my life and she always exuded generosity, positivity and empathy for everyone she encountered. Sue was beloved by her family, students, coworkers, parish friends and anyone who was lucky enough to have a conversation with her. She was passionate about prayer and spending time outside. Sue loved to have fun and be active- she would be so honored to see so many people supporting Ovarian Cancer Research. She died in 2014 and is missed daily by many who had the opportunity to know her.

#AndWhenYouDoThinkoOfSue

-Kathleen Cullen Ritter

Janet Terrones

I lost my Mom in 2015 to ovarian cancer. It was one year prior to her passing that she learned she had it. You hear stories of people learning they have cancer and deciding to make the most out of what remains of their life (travel, bucket list, visiting family, etc). When my Mom learned she had cancer, it was already stage four and between the surgery, chemo, and the depression that quickly set in, there wasn’t the desire, strength or feeling to “live life to the fullest “. This year long battle was so incredibly hard for not only her, but my Dad and us four kids. I believe she was ready to go and was at peace with it when she was told there’s nothing else that could be done. Her impact to our lives was never more apparent than after her death; she was essentially the glue of the family. Although my Dad tried his very best to maintain that, it was never the same without my Mom. My Dad recently passed in 2024 and I have to believe the two of them are enjoying life together again and making up for that awful year and the years that followed. It’s truly devastating that a cancer, such as ovarian, can go so undetected and when it is, is so far advanced that it robs a person of that potential opportunity to “live life to the fullest”. My Mom (and Dad) will forever be loved, remembered, and honored.

-Kristen Terrones Leinberger