Ovarcome’s Founder, Runsi remembers her mother as we bring in her 11th death anniversary – and get ready to celebrate Ovarcome’s 8th birthday on February, 23.

 

Cancer didn’t run in our family and the possibility never occurred to us, even though my mother exhibited symptoms for quite a while. We attributed it to digestive issues under the guidance of experienced front-line physicians. A classic story of a family unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer – never expected her to be diagnosed of cancer, of any kind.

 

I learned of my mother’s ovarian cancer diagnosis over the phone – we were separated by 10,000 miles. After 11 months of fighting the battle of her life, she bid farewell to us with grace and dignity. My mother was the rock of my life – my inspiration, my best friend, my mentor, and my champion. Her death propelled me towards recognizing my life’s true purpose in creating Ovarcome, an ovarian cancer foundation with the mission to raise global awareness, to fund research in search of a cure, and to provide financial assistance to ovarian cancer patients in need.

 

I responded to my life’s calling and in my mother’s memory, founded Ovarcome – a global ovarian cancer foundation with the mission to raise global awareness, to fund research in search of a cure, and to provide financial support to underprivileged women in the U.S. as well as developing nations in their valiant fight against ovarian cancer. With the help of a phenomenal Board, dedicated volunteers, donors, supporters, and countless blessings, in a short span of time, Ovarcome has committed to over 14 Research Grants to Young Investigators, have helped hundreds of women with our OvarCare financial assistance program both nationally and internationally – a program that has grown from 1 to 100+ hospitals, and have hosted many seminars and awareness campaigns to raise awareness on ovarian cancer worldwide with an online reach of over 1.5 million followers across platforms, annually.

 

We are working tirelessly to save lives of women around the world through education, awareness, empowerment, early action, and support for the under-served. New programs, services, collaborations and partnerships are all in the horizon. We are adding more hospitals nationwide to our list to offer our OvarCare financial assistance program. We are marching forward in our quest to diffuse boundaries and unite hearts in our fight against ovarian cancer.

 

I feel fortunate to have found my purpose and passion in life through Ovarcome, and that too, as a path illuminated for me by my mother. Her death gave me as much to gain and receive, as her life. I feel happy to realize that she passed away peacefully, with grace and dignity and now I am here to carry on her legacy. When you find your calling and your purpose, you will know it – once you do, take that leap of faith. Every sentence starts with one letter and every vision starts with a dream – take that step, own it, be prepared to learn from failures, celebrate each small victory, seek advice, question the need, be resilient, embrace uncertainty, believe in your convictions, love fiercely and always have faith in your strength to Ovarcome.

 

As I remember my mother on her 11th death anniversary, I celebrate and honor the incredibly amazing woman she was, someone not confined by life and death- her spirit will live on through this foundation. My mother is and will always remain my inspiration to Ovarcome.