Meet the Fundraisers
MEET OUR FUNDRAISERS!
Consider joining an existing team to help reach fundraising goals OR start your own individual fundraiser. Learn more about the existing teams and individuals as they share why they participate in this special race.
We'd love to feature you! Once you create a fundraising team or fundraiser, send some of your photos and a brief description to info@mioca.org to be included on this page.
TEAM NORMA: We run/support in honor of Norma Kosmala-dear wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Norma lost her 3-year battle with Ovarian Cancer June 29, 2022. We love and miss her everyday-we want to spread awareness about Ovarian Cancer and help fundraise so that more education and preventative screening tools will hopefully be available someday. Click to visit team page.
TEAM DIFEO LAB: The DiFeo Lab at the University of Michigan conducts research on initiation, recurrence, and treatment of ovarian cancer. We are interested in identifying new therapies to prolong patient survival. Most of our research is done using patient-derived cells, which aids in obtaining a more accurate understanding of this cancer. Read more about our lab at difeolab.com. We are running for all patients and families touched by ovarian cancer. Click to visit team page.
MILES FOR MARY is captained by Time to Teal planning member, Meredith, in memory of her mother, Mary. Mary battled ovarian cancer for 9 years. She recently passed in January of 2024. Mary was a vivacious lady with a contagious laugh & huge smile. She was a warrior of hope and positivity during her battle. Mary is a beloved mom, aunt, and sister. She is missed so very much & we run in her honor. Click to visit team page.
KENZIESTRONG runs in support for Mckenzie Karas as she battles Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. McKenzie was diagnosed in 2023 at the age of 23 years old. She underwent a surgery that nearly cost her life. She is now battling everyday and undergoing chemotherapy treatments. We fight for her and run to bring awareness to the cause. McKenzie wants to thank everyone for their constant love and support! #kenziestrong Click to visit team page.
THE CREW is an ever growing group of family and friends coming together each year to spread awareness and raise funds. In May 2018, at the age of 38, Staci was diagnosed with Small Cell Carcinoma of the Ovaries-Hypercalcemic Type (SCCOHT). A devastating diagnosis for anyone, but especially for a mother of two small boys, ages 5 and 2 years at that time. After 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy and then stem cell transplant Staci received the official and long awaited news of No Evidence of Disease (NED). 5 years later, we celebrate each day of health, wellness and NED is our favorite three letter word. Click to visit team page.
TEAM ASHLEY was the TOP fundraising team last year and we are BACK to do it again! I was diagnosed with stage II ovarian cancer 2 years ago so this event means a lot to me! I am blessed to have such amazing family and friends stand by me and help raise funds for this amazing organization!! #teamashley #ovariancancersurvior Click to visit team page.
MEET ANGIE! In August of 2022 I was diagnosed with stage 4A Ovarian Cancer, I underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatment and also had surgery. In March of 2023 I received the official news that I was cancer free and in remission. I'm currently undergoing immunotherapy treatment. My family and friends will be walking to show their love and support.. I'm walking to bring awareness about Ovarian Cancer and to help fundraise so that early detection and preventative screening will hopefully be available in the future. Click to visit fundraising page.
MEET TEAM DEE FOREVER! On March 28, 2024 it will be 5 years since we danced with our beauTEALful Dee. Dee fondly called us her "lovelies" a title we were so very grateful to have bestowed on us. We fundraise for MIOCA to help all of the "Dees" out there who are still fighting ovarian cancer and those yet to be diagnosed. Dee would at every single ovarian cancer event hug her Teal Sisters and we keep that tradition alive. Dee was a Dancing/Zumba Queen Extraordinaire dancing at random with or without music and we miss our friend and the joy that she brought into each of our lives. Dee Ogunyemi's light will forever shine in those who loved her and honor her memory. Please help us to raise funds to support Teal Ribbon Awareness and the warriors in the fight.
Dee, RIP We love you more! - Your Lovelies Forever xoxoxoxo Click to visit fundraising page.
MEET JOANN'S ANGELS! In remembrance of my mother's brave ovarian cancer fight, we will continue in her name. She was diagnosed late stage on Easter weekend 2018 and endured immense surgery and treatment for 2 years before she went home in August of 2020. We miss her terribly. She was an amazing cook, always working on her garden, and enjoyed fishing and bonfires with her family and friends. She was the most amazing loving Grandma that you could ask for. Our hearts ache that she is no longer here to experience her grand-babies. We have added 4 grandchildren amongst us since her passing and we know that she would have been full of joy and love for everyone of them. Click to visit fundraising page.
MEET TEAM SCHULER OVAR-ACHIEVERS! This team is walking in memory of two incredible women in our family Martha Schuler and Janet Schuler. Martha and Janet were courageous warriors during their battle. Janet was very involved with MIOCA serving on the board and dedicating her time educating others about ovarian cancer. Our family has had the privilege of participating in Teal Attack in Dundee, MI and now excited to participate in Time to Teal! We want to continue to raise awareness along with funds to help in research and early detection all in efforts to find a cure. Click to visit fundraising page.
MEET SUSAN HERZFELD! I was diagnosed in May of 2022 with stage 3C ovarian cancer. After debulking surgery and six rounds of chemo, I remain today, gratefully in remission. MIOCA was my first encounter after my diagnosis that made me feel that I was not alone on my ovarian cancer journey. That gave me great comfort. I am grateful for the programs offered and the kindness of all those associated with MIOCA. My husband (my rock), Jon, and I are fundraising so MIOCA can continue its great work so that others may have the same experience that I did - to know they are not alone. Click to visit fundraising page.
MEET TEAM CHANEL TEAL WARRIOR! My name is Chanel Stephens and I am a warrior! I’m not talking about the Golden State Warriors either! I don’t consider myself a warrior because of my status as an army veteran or a trained Wild-land Firefighter. No, I call myself a warrior because myself and my family went through one of the toughest struggles that any female could ever go through and I’m still here to tell the story.
On June 3, 2019, a dear friend Helen Louise Griffin was laid to rest, and I was granted another chance. Because of the death of this beautiful woman to cervical and ovarian cancer, it made me reflect on pains and issues that I was having in my own life. The symptoms and pains I was having were some of the warning signs for ovarian cancer.
As soon as we made it home from the funeral I scheduled an appointment with Primary Care Doctor Gyn and also scheduled another appointment with a local women's clinic in the area in order to be seen faster. The primary care doctor called and stated they could get me in on the same day as my appointment with the women’s clinic so I kept both appointments.
The first appointment was my appointment at the women’s center, which was located in town. This center was used mostly for low income, families of women and young young ladies. The physician who greeted me was very young with limited experience but still very qualified. She was very friendly and very informal, and she read my test results and stated the following; We do see some abnormal activity, but there is nothing to worry about and you should be fine. Be sure to come back in a year and a half. I told the physician thank you and I started to cancel the appointment that was scheduled two hours later with the primary care doctor, but I didn’t because I wanted to establish with a primary care GYN.
So, I went to the second appointment. The second physician was well into her career, and very established and extremely professional. The physician stated I am glad you came in. We have your tests back and we see abnormalities and squamous cells which presented themselves are in the first stages of cancer. My heart and my soul completely dropped in my stomach. She reassured me that everything was going to be OK. I was completely confused because of the previous diagnosis given only hours before. At the time the only thing I could do is worry. My daughter was just off to a great start at SIU and I had this beautiful eight year old son and I did not want to grow up without me.
The reason I’m here today, is because I was granted a second chance of early detection because of Helen. In honor of her memory and to give a chance to other mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, aunties, granddaughters, teachers, coaches, colleagues and friends I share my story. If you know that something isn’t right, please do not take no for an answer.
Click to visit fundraising page.
