First Selectwoman Makes May 8 World Ovarian Cancer Day in Town

Town of Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick issued a proclamation naming World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD) on Saturday, May 8, 2021 in the Town of Fairfield which is part of a global effort to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Fairfield Selectwoman Nancy Lefkowitz presented the citation to two Ovarian Cancer Survivors Noreen Forde of Easton and Michele Kaplan of Fairfield at a ceremony at The Castle on the Post Restaurant & Pub on May 8th. The event was sponsored by The Clearity Foundation.

Ovarian cancer is a global concern and much more needs to be done to tackle this disease on all fronts as it is often overlooked and underfunded. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal of the female cancers for which there is no reliable screening test, and every woman is at risk. With delays in diagnoses due to this lack of screening and because symptoms are often confused with other less severe illness, most women are diagnosed once the cancer has already spread making it more difficult to treat.

In the United States

• Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.
• A woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 78.
• Her lifetime chance of dying from ovarian cancer is about 1 in 108.

In Connecticut

• About 240 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
• About 160 women will die from ovarian cancer.

About half of the women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer are 63 years or older. These women are our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, neighbors and friends. That is why it is important for us to recognize World Ovarian Cancer Day to bring attention to this disease.

For more information, contact John Brannelly at JBrannelly@clearityfoundation.org