Young Ovarian Cancer Survivor and America’s Got Talent Star, Caly Bevier wins the 2018 Ovarcome Excellence Award at Ovarcome’s 5th Annual Gala UnMasque!
“This one is for all the kids that are fighting cancer. To show them there is hope. Keep chasing your dreams!” Musician Caly Bevier said after receiving the 2018 Ovarcome Excellence Award.
It was a night of mystique and enchantment at the St. Regis Houston with 300 people in attendance at Ovarcome’s Annual Gala, UnMasque. The annual fundraiser was hosted to honor and celebrate ovarian cancer survivors.
In a very touching display of solidarity, Caly invited all survivors in the room to join her on stage as she sang her anthem, Rachel Platten’s Fight Song. Caly and the Survivors received a standing ovation from the audience, ever so inspired and moved by this strong and emotional moment.
Although Caly had felt a growing lump in her stomach area for nearly a year, it wasn’t until she was in a bathing suit around family that her parents noticed just how big of problem the lump had become. They immediately brought her in to be examined.
“The doctor told me I was pregnant which I knew was literally impossible” says Bevier. “So she sent me to get more blood work done and then eventually an ultrasound. That’s when they realized I had a tumor.” In the summer of 2015, at age 15, Caly was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.
The months that followed were filled with activities no teen should have to go through. High school, trips to the movie theater, and long hang out sessions with friends were replaced with home schooling, chemo treatments and lots of sleeping while she fought to get her health back. For many, this kind of battle at this young of an age would be enough to send anyone into a state of depression. But there’s something special about Caly. Instead, Caly decided to fight. And inspire. And eventually, win. Nothing in front of Caly seemed too big to conquer. Not even this. She fought through the entire process, staying positive, determined to not miss out on what the future had planned for her.
“It has been our absolute honor to host AGT Star Caly Bevier at our gala and recognize her with the Ovarcome Excellence Award,” Ovarcome President, CEO and Founder Runsi Sen said. “Caly is a vivacious, charming, friendly and engaged young woman. Her speech was uplifting and her wonderful gesture of bringing together all survivors in the room to sing the Fight Song left no dry eyes in the room that night. There really is something special about her.”
Awards and honorees include:
Dr. David Gershenson of MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Dineo Khabele from University of Kansas Cancer Center, and Dr. Joseph Lucci from UT Health & Memorial Hermann Cancer Center received the 2018 Ovarcome Heroes Awards for their extraordinary contributions and exemplary commitment to the ovarian cancer community.
Young Investigator Research Awards were given to Christine Rojas Henry M. Jackson Foundation of Military Medicine and Satish Ramraj from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
The Survivor Honorees of the evening, Kathy Miller, Cheryl Esco, Liz Camacho and Diana Ploch were showered with love and recognition for their strength, beauty, and conviction in conquering the disease. Together, hand in hand, arms linked together in pride, each survivor celebrated their lives and what it meant to have one another. Rekha Muddaraj from KHOU 11 emceed the event. Caly Bevier gave a magical performance singing a couple of songs including her anthem, the Fight Song.
Two world renowned cancer researchers, Dr. Anil Sood and Dr. Anirban Maitra who also serve on Ovarcome’s Advisory Board, brought the house down with their humorous skit inspired by the Trump-Kim May Summit. In this version of the Summit, the two world leaders decided to make peace and work together to Ovarcome cancer!
The money raised from the gala will go toward Ovarcome’s core programs of awareness work, research funding, as well as the OvarCare financial assistance program for ovarian cancer patients in need.
“We are working to launch a few new initiatives in the next few months, which will help enhance the lives of women and families impacted by ovarian cancer, helping them through the lifecycle of diagnosis. We plan to expand our national and international grassroots awareness efforts and also hope to provide larger research funding through increased collaborations and new partnerships.”
Ovarcome provides a foundation of support for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ovarcome strives to diffuse boundaries and unite hearts in their mission to raise global awareness, fund research in search of a cure, and provide financial support to ovarian cancer patients in need. Ovarcome is inspired by the simple philosophy of support, love, and celebration of life. To find out more on how you can support Ovarcome, visit ovarcome.org.
