The Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness organization (OCSA) will host its 5th annual Golf Tournament and Dinner on Monday, July 31, presented by Billco Corporation. The benefit led by event co-chairs, Carolyn Ascher, owner of ME Project Management and Kurt Klepitsch, DVM and owner of Gateway Veterinary Clinic, will be held at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.
Funds raised will support the nonprofit’s ongoing awareness campaign surrounding the silent symptoms of the ovarian cancer as well as its Veterinary Outreach Program (VOP) initiatives including support of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center’s current program harnessing canines’ olfactory prowess to ‘sniff out’ ovarian cancer. This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of long time OCSA supporter, Joan M. Schaefer, who lost her battle with the disease in 2016.
“Embracing the One Health approach to find cures for diseases such as ovarian cancer is evident through our support of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center’s ovarian cancer detection research,” says Vallie Szymanski, executive vice president of OCSA, “We are thrilled to welcome the program’s leader, Dr. Cindy Otto, as our honored guest.”
The unique VOP embraces a One Health philosophy, partnering with professionals in the medical and veterinary community, the Illinois Veterinary Medical Association; Illinois Department of Health; the One Health Commission and the American Veterinary Medical Association to inform urban and rural veterinarians, veterinary clinicians, and veterinary discipline students about ovarian cancer and its silent symptoms. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 80 percent of veterinarians graduating today are female and this increases the possibility of a personal connection to the disease and a viable tie to the purpose of the VOP.
Statistics show that ovarian cancer is diagnosed in one of every 55 women and is the number one gynecologic cancer killer. More than 22,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer every year and 15,000 women die. Reportedly, when ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages the survival rate is over 90%. The VOP exponentially spreads awareness surrounding the silent symptoms of this disease through the conversations pet owners have with their trusted veterinarians, important public health protectors.
Emceed by 95.9 The River’s Scott Mackay, the golf event begins with lunch prior to the shotgun start at 12 Noon. Long time OCSA supporter Steve Dale, certified animal behavior consultant and pet journalist, will introduce Dr. Cindy Otto who will provide everyone with an update on the progress of the ovarian cancer-sniffing canine team.
EVENT FACTS
Date: Monday, July 31, 2017
Location: Boulder Ridge Country Club | 350 Boulder Drive, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Time: Registration: 10 a.m. | Lunch: 11 a.m. | Shot Gun Start: 12 noon | Dinner & Silent Auction: 4:30 p.m.
Price: Foursome including golf, lunch and dinner, $750; Single golfer with lunch and dinner, $200; Dinner-only tickets are $50.
Purchase tickets, visit: https://ovariancancersymptomawareness.givezooks.com/events/5th-annual-ocsa-golf-outing
Sponsors: Acclaim; ME Project Managent, Billco Corporation, Cornerstone National Bank and Trust; Environmental Design International, Inc; Integrative Pet Care Hanover Park; Gateway Veterinary Clinic, Greg Mitchell, Koi Poi, St. Charles, IL; Hanover Park Animal Hospital; Henry Schein Animal Health; Neri Landscape Maintenance, Inc.
Additional sponsors are welcome. Contact OCSA executive vice president Vallie Szymanski at [email protected] for information
The Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Organization is a Section 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Donations to OCSA are deductible as a charitable gift.
