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September, after all, is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Senior Cory Lee is all about educating the public about the illness that killed his aunt, Corinne Feller, at age 18.
Feller was a lifelong Montgomery resident and standout student and athlete at Valley Central High School.
Lee has volunteered his time for the Corinne Feller Memorial Fund ever since he can remember. Earlier this month he and his teammates tied teal ribbons on trees around Goshen.
“I was thrilled with the turnout -- 42 guys and my coach came out to honor my Aunt Corinne’s memory and raise awareness of ovarian cancer,” said the 16-year-old Montgomery resident.
“Everyone had a great time volunteering. We have made this an annual Burke Catholic football tradition, and hope we are saving lives," he said.
The awareness effort wouldn’t have happened without the entire community’s support. The Goshen mayor and village officials approved Lee's request; James Murray Florist created the bows the team used to adorn the trees.
Along with wearing ribbons on their uniforms for the month of September, the football players will also hand our ovarian cancer awareness cards at the gate at the start of all games.
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the U.S. There is no early detection test and symptoms are subtle and often misdiagnosed, which is why knowing them is critical.
"We want to get people asking questions about ovarian cancer," said Nicole Feller Lee, founder of the Corinne Feller Memorial Fund.
“With early diagnosis, treatment is 90 to 95 percent effective. But most women aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late.”
Classic symptoms of ovarian cancer include pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort (bloating), vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets, frequent or urgent urination, unexplained changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight gain or loss, ongoing unusual fatigue, back pain, menstrual changes, and pain during intimacy.
Since 1999, the Corinne Feller Memorial Fund has raised funding for local ovarian cancer awareness programs and quality of life initiatives, as well as research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A survivors group, C.A.S.T., has also been formed through the fund that speaks regularly to women’s groups and health practitioners throughout the Hudson Valley.
Go to www.corinnefeller.org for more information.
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