Every September, Paulinda Schimmel, founder of the Ovarian Cancer Circle, rallies local city leaders to help raise awareness of ovarian cancer. September is the nationally designated month to remind women and their families about this deadly form of cancer that is often diagnosed in the advanced stages.
For the 5th consecutive year, city leaders have declared an Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day and paid special tribute to the nonprofit organization The Ovarian Cancer Circle/Inspired by Robin Babbini, founded by Schimmel.
This year, City Council President Nury Martinez (CD6), Councilmembers Paul Koretz (CD5), and Monica Rodriguez (CD7), who have been steadfast champions behind the LA Council’s advocacy of ovarian cancer awareness, were joined by Councilmembers Kevin de Leon (CD14) and Nithya Raman (CD4). Endorsing a public display of renewed support, the City Council again initiated impressive lighting displays in the city. On September 23rd City Hall and the famed LAX pylons were aglow in teal, the national branding color for ovarian cancer.
Separately, the City of West Hollywood also renewed its civic participation in recognizing Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The street lanterns along the stretch of Santa Monica Blvd were shining teal from September 1st – 14th.
The Ovarian Cancer Circle/Inspired by Robin Babbini was founded by, Paulinda Schimmel Babbini. Her daughter, Robin, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was still in high school. Despite grueling treatments and surgeries, Robin died when she was only 20 years old. “There must not be any more Robin stories,” asserts Paulinda.
In 2018, approximately 22,240 new cases of ovarian cancer were diagnosed in the U.S., with the grim statistic of 14,070 ovarian cancer deaths. Four out of 5 ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced stage disease. To date, there is no early detection test. A pap smear does not detect ovarian cancer. Therefore, improving the ability to screen for ovarian cancer as early as possible is a research priority because women diagnosed with localized-stage disease have more than a 90% five-year survival rate.
The Circle, its Board and its volunteers are dedicated year-round to networking at local, regional and national gatherings, educating women of all ages about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. The Circle raises money that supports medical research being conducted at the esteemed G.O. Discovery Lab, headed by Dr. Sanaz Mermerzdeh, based on the UCLA campus, and to date has reached the $1 Million milestone in contributions.
The Circle’s 12th annual fundraiser, “Teal There’s A Cure Luncheon/Boutique” lunch, vendors, raffles is Friday, November 18th at the Hilton Hotel in Woodland Hills at 10:30am. For more information, visit www.theovariancancercircle.org
