“Team Donna”

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. So, to honor her, we are going to be participating in 15 5Ks across the country between now and April of next year. Although we may not be able to attend all of them in person, we would like to support a variety of organizations, and we’re excited that yours is one of them! We will be (virtually) participating in the Ray of Hope Run on June 3 [2023] as “Team Donna”. 

Our goal is to raise $15,000 throughout these events ($1,000 per race) for the 15 years she will be gone. We have a website where we will be tracking our progress with our fundraising pages linked as well. We are going to be calling on our friends and family to support us along the way, either by joining the races with us, or donating (or both)!

With that being said, we’re always looking for opportunities to get the word out and make new connections through the ovarian cancer community. 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 still affected by the disease today through both the loss and the genetics. Please feel free to follow our journey either by signing up for updates through the website, or Melissa’s public Instagram page @simplymisunderstoodxo.

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