Who I am Fighting For:

Emma Reese: 

My sister-in-law, Emma, was diagnosed in 2016, 1 week before her 28th birthday with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  After enduring 6 months of ABVD chemotherapy she was officially considered in remission in June 2017.  After 4 years of remission, in October 2021 a CT and surgical biopsy confirmed her cancer had returned.  She then underwent 4 months of chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by 15 radiation treatments and was once again confirmed cancer free on April 22, 2022.  We are incredibly thankful for the healthcare workers at UVA Cancer Center in Charlottesville, VA and Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, SC for taking such great care of her!  She is an incredible wife, sister and mother and I am so lucky to be fighting in her name!

"It has been a long road but I remain determined to be there for my family. I am honored that my beautiful sister in law is representing me in her fight!" -- Emma

In memory of Carey Anne Durrett: 

I was lucky enough to meet Carey and her husband, Bill, when she was first diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2019.  She started on Nivolumab as a maintenance therapy after completing front-line chemotherapy and surgery and we quickly found out she was unable to tolerate the drug.  Although scary at first, the mishap bonded us like family.  One of our favorite memories together was when she refused to take anymore experimental drugs after that experience unless they were confirmed to be placebo.  Unable to guarantee a placebo on a clinical trial, I brought a large pill bottle with a placebo label filled with mints and told her it was the only way I could keep her on trial.  She no longer was a direct patient of mine, but never once did I miss popping in to her room to see her and Bill and connect over scuba diving and the Grand Caymans.  After a honorable fight, in April 2022 she was admitted into the hospital and lost her battle on May 19th, 2022.  She always believed she was so lucky to have met me, but I can promise I was the lucky one.

Bill would like to thank Dr. Lauren Baldwin and the entire Gynecologic Oncology team at the University of Kentucky.

Some of my favorite ovarian cancer survivors: Dory Martin, Peggy Butler, & Jen Dow.  

I was introduced to these three wonderful women at the University of Kentucky after they had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  Each of their stories differ, but all three inspired me through their fight and defeat of this horrible disease.  Their personal sacrifices to participate in clinical trials has directly impacted ovarian cancer research and the lives of future women who will have their own battle.  Without their willingness to participate, we would never be able to make strides in research and help future generations.

Dory kept me on my toes but also always kept a smile on my face.  She never wanted to have an appointment before 1pm and if I had to schedule her earlier in the day for follow-up CT scan, she required me meeting her with a coffee.  She is quite literally one of my favorite people on earth.

Peggy was as determined to find me a partner as she was to defeat cancer :) I am happy to say she only failed at one of her goals.....finding me a parter.  We spent hours chatting and catching up on life when she would come for infusions with her trusty best friend.  She was my biggest supporter to continue with my PhD and I can't thank her enough for believing in me.

Jen was first a coworker, then a friend, then a patient, but always family.  Her diagnosis was one of the hardest battles, but she did it all with grace and fierce determination.  She jumped through all the hoops we threw at her and trusted us throughout the process.  I am so incredibly proud of your strength.

I love you three ladies, as well as all my other patients who lost their battles or who I have lost contact with. 

Ann Wright: 

My first (& favorite:)) friend in Saint Louis, Eden, lost her mother, Ann, on 3/29/2022 to Hepatocellular Carcinoma.  Ann received her diagnosis in September 2021 and although they initially lived greater than 2,000 miles apart, Eden was by her side every step of the way.  In January 2021 Ann moved to the Saint Louis area to be closer to Eden and to begin immunotherapy treatments in February.  She was only able to tolerate 2 treatments due to progression of disease and lost her battle a month later.  Ann was born on 1/27/1957 in San Francisco California. She was one of six girls and the second oldest of her siblings. Ann was blessed with two children, her son Jasper Steven Paul Wright who passed away from complications of intussusception just 14 days before his first birthday, and her daughter Eden who turned 37 in October of 2022. Ann is survived by her five sisters, her daughter, son-in-law Jerry, and three grandbabies Graham, Brooklynn, and Everett.  One of Ann’s final wishes was to see her daughter graduate from Nurse Practitioner school and although she was not able to do so, Eden graduated in December 2022 and there is no doubt she is celebrating in Heaven and beaming from ear to ear at her daughter’s accomplishments. 

I was never able to meet Ann, but I am inspired by her story and thankful to have her daughter as a friend!

The organizations that will be financially supported through my fundraising:

Penn State Dance Marathon:

THON™ is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Their mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research—all in pursuit of a cure.  "One day we will dance in celebration until then we will dance for a cure."  Check out their website here: https://thon.org/

Epic Experience: 

Epic Experience empowers adult cancer survivors and thrivers to live beyond cancer.  Check out their website here: https://www.epicexperience.org/

My Story: 

I am originally from State College, PA where I stayed in the area for college at Penn State.  Being a local I was familiar with Dance Marathon from young age and immediately got involved with THON my freshman year.  During my sophomore year I was selected to represent Penn State Snowboard Club as a dancer, where I stood for 46 hours straight for the fight against pediatric cancer.  THON was my first inspiration to work in the oncology field.  After Penn State, I did my Master's in Public Health at the University of Kentucky and accepted a job at Markey Cancer Center running clinical trials in the Gynecologic Oncology Department.  It was here that I met some of the wonderful women I am fighting for and was also a kickstart into a research career focused on ovarian cancer.  After 5 wonderful years with my patients, I moved to Saint Louis, MO to begin a PhD in Epidemiology.  After graduation I hope to center my career around screening, early detection and treatment of ovarian cancer.