When my mother died, I lost a chunk of my heart. I do not think I will ever get it back. Your mother is your home. She gave you life. Unsurprisingly, life isn't the same without her. It loses meaning.

I read the above quote recently, in an article written by a woman who recently lost her mother. It struck a chord with me because it sums up the feeling of loss you experience when your mother dies. It never goes away. My mom died of ovarian cancer when I was 24 years old and I miss her every day.  

In Canada today, there are 17,000 women living with ovarian cancer. Each of these women is central to a family, every one of these women have people who love her. This year, I am fundraising for women like my amazing mom who receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis with no warning.   As ovarian cancer is usually caught in late stages, 55% of these women will die within 5 years.  It is easily overlooked because the symptoms can signal a variety of conditions.  There is also no reliable screening test or vaccine for this disease. Don't these women deserve better odds?

I know there is more I can do to help.

In September 2016, I will climb Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise funds for ovarian cancer (that’s over 19,000 feet - eeek!). Your generous donation will be used to raise awareness of this disease, to provide women living with ovarian cancer much needed support and to fund vital research in the fight for early detection. 

Raising awareness of ovarian cancer and honoring these women is a huge passion of mine.  Please share my fundraising page (www.ovariancancersucks.ca) and PLEASE educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer by visiting www.ovariancanada.org.  A 45% survival rate is not good enough - let's do what we can to give these women a fighting chance.

Thanks for your support!  The training begins..

Nisha xoxoxo 

www.ovariancancersucks.ca

goyalnish@icloud.com