Ovarian cancer walk returns Aug. 5
By Deborah Moon Seldner
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For the second year, Sherie Hildreth is wearing one of her Hats of Empowerment as she plans the Mrs. Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Empowerment Walk Aug. 5 in Gladstone.
The walk raises funds for researching ovarian cancer, a "silent killer" to which women of Ashkenazi (Eastern European Jewish) ancestry are especially susceptible (see box at left). Last year's inaugural walk raised $15,000 for the Cancer Research Institute at Oregon Health and Science University. Hildreth, a member of Congregation Beth Israel, said she hopes to double that at this second walk.
The day after finishing her second round of chemotherapy to combat the disease she was diagnosed with in October 2004, Hildreth spoke animatedly about the foundation she and her friends have created to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and education.
Last year the Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Foundation held the empowerment walk. This year the foundation is sponsoring the second annual walk and a Teal Ribbon Luncheon as an educational program in September (see box at right).
"I've accepted ovarian cancer as part of me," said Hildreth from her Gladstone home. "If I let people come into that space, we get a lot done. ? The more people on my team, the happier I am. We are getting a lot done in a short time because all the doors are open."
Both mother and daughter spoke of Hildreth's drive to make a difference with what seemed a sense of awe.
"It amazes me how upbeat Sherie is," said Matin, who is organizing the September luncheon.
"I'm very proud of my mother," said Ashley Hildreth, then turning to her mom she added, "I am mom."
After 14 months in remission, Hildreth had to return to chemotherapy when her her CA-125 protein test came back elevated. Since CA-levels can be high for other reasons and not all women with ovarian cancer have high CA-125 levels, the screening is not recommended for all women. Still the test often is used to screen women at very high risk, including those in remission.
"They caught it very quickly and I went into a clinical study testing a new drug," said Hildreth. "It showed very positive results. The cancer is gone right now as we speak. I hope to stay in remission a long time."
Hildreth said when her doctor told her she needed a new round of chemo, she said, "Thank God I have my hats."
That was in reference to the Hats of Empowerment she and her fellow middle school teacher Cathy Ekerson created after Hildreth lost all her hair in her first round of chemotherapy. The hats, which come in caps, fleece and now "flapper hats for elegant occasions" have beads flowing from the back representing the hair lost during chemotherapy.
Each hat comes with a card reading, "Gaining the courage to fight the beast and bring out the beauty in each of us."
In addition to the three hat styles for survivors, the duo also sell several styles of "supporter" hats featuring the Hats of Empowerment logo. Profits from the hat sales also go to cancer research.
"When she told me about her hat business, I didn't think it would go anywhere," said daughter Ashley. "But I'm absolutely amazed how well it's gone."
By the Aug. 5 Empowerment Walk, Hildreth expects to launch a Web site featuring the hats at www.hatsofempowerment.com.
But now, Hildreth, wearing one of her hats to cover her once again bald head, is gearing up to make this year's walk an even bigger success than last year. She said she hopes to double the 400 walkers who came last year. And she hopes to raise at least $25,000 to $30,000 for cancer research.
She said the Gladstone community is very close and she has had a lot of support from her school Kraxberger Middle School, where she continues to teach sixth grade.
This year, a relatively new Gladstone business has stepped in to sponsor the walk. Team Latus Motors Harley-Davidson is presenting the walk and also sponsoring a pancake breakfast. The 7-11 a.m. breakfast is free with donations going to ovarian cancer research.
The walk begins with registration, pancake breakfast and t-shirt pickup at 7 a.m. at Team Latus, 879 E. Berkeley St., Gladstone (I-205, exit 11).
A 5K run begins at 8 a.m., with 5K walkers starting at 8:15. Those wanting to participate in the 1 mile family walk take off at 8:30.
Cost is $15 for children ages 6-12, $25 for those 13 and up. Children under 5 are welcome to participate for free, but should register. Mail checks made out to the Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Foundation, PO Box 327, Glandstone, OR 97027.
Registration forms are available online at www.ovariancancerosw.org.
Donations can also be made in honor of or in memory of someone.
Ovarian cancer facts
The American Cancer Society estimates about 20,180 U.S. women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year and 15,310 will die of the disease.
The high death rate is attributed to the fact that symptoms of ovarian cancer, including general discomfort in the lower abdomen, are so vague that most ovarian cancers are diagnosed when they are far advanced.
In the general population, a woman has a 1 in 58 chance of developing ovarian cancer in her lifetime. The risk is dramatically higher in women of Ashkenazi ancestry.
Mutations on the BRCA1/2 genes substantially increase a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. In the general population, an estimated 1 in 800 individuals have such a mutation compared to 1 in 40 Ashkenazi women.
When a woman has a mutated copy of the BRCA1 gene, she has a 20 to 60 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer in her lifetime. Women with a BRCA2 mutation have up to a 27 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer.
(Statistics from www.ohsuhealth.com.)
Teal Ribbon Luncheon and Silent Auction
Benefits ovarian cancer research
Theme: "Shout about the disease that whispers"
When/Where: Sept. 19
at Multnomah Athletic Club
11:30 a.m.: Silent Auction
Noon: Educational luncheon
Speakers: Dr. Grover Bagby, director of OHSU Cancer Institute; Dr. Tanja Pejovic, OHSU Cancer Institute researcher focusing on genetic causes of ovarian cancer; and Dr. Paul Tseng, doctor of Sherie Hildreth, founder of the Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
Topics: Ovarian cancer symptoms, early diagnosis, available treatment, clinical studies, risk factors and genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer.
Cost: $30 per person; tables of eight available.
RSVP by Sept. 12.
Send checks to the Sherie Hildreth Ovarian Cancer Foundation, PO Box 327, Gladstone, OR 97027, attn. Geri Matin.