Join our team in supporting ovarian cancer research and awareness in our community! You can support our team by joining us in participating or in making a donation to our team.
Julie was a seemingly healthy 28 year old woman with a successful career in sales, engaged in the Des Moines Junior League, traveling and other adventures with her husband Darden, babying our family pup Sammie, playing with her nieces and nephews, and had just recently completed her first triathlon. She had been to see her doctor multiple times and many phone calls and was repeatedly told her symptoms were essentially “in her head.” Symptoms: bloating which resulted in clothes not fitting right, almost appearing could be several months pregnant, only able to eat small amounts of food because felt “full” quickly, sheer exhaustion, heart rate increasing quickly with physical exertion, shortness of breath.
She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic ovarian cancer at age 28. She and Darden relocated to St Louis to pursue treatment and moved in with our parents. Our mom took a leave of absence to assist in her care as she was an RN as well as a great mom. During Julie’s battle with this insidious disease, she fully engaged with the newly formed SLOCA organization to help further the reach, advocate and increase awareness. Her battle ended on July 4th at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, four years later. Today, we continue her campaign for awareness and support for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer as well as their families.
SLOCA and the Siteman Cancer Center are fantastic resources in our local community. Please support by participating in the Families ROC as a walker, runner or donor.
