Scottsdale ovarian cancer 'Crusader' honored at 'Tea for Teal'
in Feb.; Actor Evan Farmer will emcee first 'unTEAL a Cure'
run-walk in March
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Feb. 10, 2010 - Cancer survivor Julie Westhoff of
Scottsdale will be honored this month for her work in fighting
ovarian cancer at the 2nd annual "Tea for Teal," the color that
represents the fight against ovarian cancer.
Tea for Teal is the first of two, back-to-back Valley fundraising
events to help fund ovarian cancer research at the non-profit
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen):
-- Tea for Teal, an English-style afternoon tea, is set for 2 p.m.
Feb. 20 at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, 340 N. Third St. This
event is hosted by the Anne Rita Monahan (ARM) Foundation, named
for the organization's founder who passed away May 13, 2009, after
a valiant struggle against this horrific disease.
-- The first "UnTEAL a Cure 5K," a combination run and walk, is set
for 7:30 a.m. March 7 at Tempe's Kiwanis Community Park, 6111 S.
All-America Way. This event is being organized by community
volunteers in partnership with the non-profit TGen
Foundation.
Tea for Teal
Westhoff will be honored at Tea for Teal with the 2010 Anne Rita
Monahan Crusader Award, recognizing a cancer crusader who has made
contributions for cancer awareness and has displayed determination
and perseverance in their journey.
Westhoff was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 and ovarian
cancer in 2006. She has become a leading advocate for women's
health issues, and is committed to helping women stay informed
about the silent symptoms of cancer that are so often overlooked.
Her goal is to empower women to play an active role regarding their
health and to learn to seek out information. She is both a board
member and founding member of the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of
Arizona (OCAZ), where she has planned numerous events to raise
awareness. She also spends time with other women who are going
through ovarian cancer treatments, comforting them and serving as
an example of hope and survival.
Tea for Teal is the annual signature event for the ARM Foundation
in its efforts to raise $100,000 for ovarian cancer research. The
organization urges women to "ARM Yourself Against Ovarian Cancer."
Funds raised through Tea for Teal will be used to research
early-stage, drug-resistant, ovarian cancer. Tickets for the event
are $60 per person or $500 for a table of 10. To buy tickets,
please visit www.anneritamonahan.org.
UnTEAL a Cure
Meanwhile, more than 500 Valley residents are expected to join
March 7 in an effort to raise $25,000 for TGen cancer research at
the first unTEAL a Cure 5K.
Emcee of the event is actor Evan Farmer, the host of Country Music
Television's (CMT's) weekend Top 20 Countdown. Farmer, who has
appeared in many other movie and television features, has been
active in cancer philanthropy for nearly two decades. His mother,
Jamison (Jay) Farmer, succumbed to ovarian cancer in 2007.
For more information about unTEAL a Cure, and to register for the
event, please go to www.helptgen.org.
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About the Anne Rita Monahan Foundation
The Anne Rita Monahan (ARM) Foundation is dedicated to educating
and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
so that early detection will increase and instances of misdiagnosis
will decrease. The Foundation also raises finances to help fund the
discovery of an effective, reliable screening tool that will help
detect this type of cancer early and give women the best
opportunity for full remission. The ARM Foundation marches towards
its mission to eradicate ovarian cancer through outreach and
educational programs to both the public and the medical
community.
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For more
information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]