Our Year in Review

Bluegrass Ovarian Cancer Support, Inc.  I was president in 2022.  I am VP now, and have been acting president for a year.  We are 8 volunteers on the board.  We go forward and work to spread awareness of ovarian and gynecologic cancer risks and symptoms.

I’m going to share a bit of what we’ve accomplished this past year.

We had 10 monthly meetings, and 6 of those had a guest speaker.  We’ve had speakers talk about nutrition, grief and coping, immunotherapy, narrative medicine and more. 

Care bags are distributed to the newly diagnosed at Baptist Health and UK.  We have a few goodies, our sticker and a brochure.  And we thank Ruth and Bill Jefferson for being the dedicated folks they are getting those bags ready and delivered.

Since the spring, we’ve shared about BOCS, Turn the Towns Teal, and more, through newspaper, radio, tv shows and news items.  Articles have been in The Lextropolis and the Georgetown News-Graphic.  We appeared on "Live from Chevy Chase" in early September, on Fox56.  Back in the spring, we participated in the first LGBTQ Health and Wellness Fair hosted by Bluegrass Care Navigators.

Esther Bailey, of Ky Cooperative Extension office, coordinated 490 flyers w/risks and symptoms to the Ky Extension Homemakers Association state conference attendees.  

For Turn the Towns Teal this past September, 386 teal bows were placed in central KY.  Valeria Moore of University of Kentucky made and coordinated 95 of those bows.  

We were hosted by The Void Sake Comparny for a community night and passed out literature.  A literature rack of brochures, risk cards, and stickers was there throughout September.   

Survivors Teaching Students reached 169 physician, PA, and nursing students with 7 presenters.  STS is another way to get involved.

And we have a brand new BOCS-branded tablecloth!  

And here we are, today.  We’re here, we persevere, and we try to share the message of awareness, hope and community.

And now I want to talk about fundraising.

We have several ways to support BOCS.  Our budget is small.  We are frugal and creative.  Every dollar spent is carefully considered.  

There is Kroger Community Rewards, you can have a Facebook birthday fundraiser, and the Good Giving Challenge is coming the first week in December, through the Blue Grass Community Foundation.  You can also send us a check.  All are easy things to do.  

I would also like to make a pitch that you get involved.  After my diagnosis in 2020, I was recovering from surgery.  I had my care bag from BOCS with a brochure.  The community of BOCS was something I didn’t know I needed.  I hadn’t even considered looking for guidance.  I started attending the Zoom meetings.  I watched my parents and grandparents give service to their communities and the causes they cared about.  I had to do the same.  So I got involved.  And I often step outside my comfort zone because it’s not about me.  

I’d like to invite you to do the same.  We’re a small board of volunteers.  New perspectives would be welcome.  Are you a graphics person?  Great with social media?  Are you brilliant at speaking to a large group?  We have a place for you.  We typically meet 4 or 5 times a year by Zoom.  

Contact Rose Lewis or email us. Thank you.

Enid Wohlstein, VP of BOCS