Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is around the corner and one Brooklyn based organization, T.E.A.L., is preparing for their 15th annual celebration walk and fundraiser in Prospect Park on Sept. 9.
T.E.A.L., or Tell Every Amazing Lady About Ovarian Cancer, has been hosting the race since 2009, when sisters Louisa M. McGregor and Pamela Esposito-Amery founded the organization two years after McGregor was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
During their journey, the sisters found there were little to no resources available for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and very little funding went towards finding a cure.
The women then formed T.E.A.L. in order to spread awareness, fundraise and provide a community for those affected.
Courtney Donahue-Taleporos, programs administrator for T.E.A.L., said the team is especially excited for this year’s race since they will have their timed 5k race back for the first time since 2019.
Following the pandemic, event organizers had to shift how the event was run, with a virtual celebration in 2020 and 2021. Last year, the team held a women’s health expo in place of the beloved race.
“This is a huge year for us that our event as people know it for the last 15 years is officially back so we’re hoping to get a lot of repeat families and individuals,” she told Brooklyn Paper.
While experienced runners lace up for the competitive 5k, Donahue-Taleporos said families tend to register as a team to enjoy the walk with matching T-shirts and supportive signs.
“Our walk option brings out a lot of families, a lot of survivors,” she said. “They come come back year after year and it’s a whole big day for them.”
This year they will continue offering a virtual option to those who may not live nearby but still want to support their cause.
Whether Brooklynites want to donate, race or volunteer, the team hopes people from all over will join them in honoring survivors and fighting for a cure.
“It’s a way to make our survivors feel special and it gets very emotional with a lot of people honoring and celebrating the women in their lives,” Donahue-Taleporos said. “We’re also expanding our mission to include just kind of general women’s health because it’s all tied together.”
Online registration is required to take part in the race on Sept. 9 at the Bandshell in Prospect Park.
To celebrate their 15th anniversary, the team launched their National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Campaign, which will raise awareness and promote education on ovarian cancer throughout the entire month of September.
They will kick off their campaign on by lighting the Coney Island Parachute Jump at Lune Park in teal on Aug. 31 through Sept 2. Later in the month, the team will tie teal ribbons on trees along Fifth Avenue, North Flatbush Avenue, and Myrtle Avenue.
