More than 150 riders came out to support the Ovarian Cycle, an indoor cycling event that took place on April 16 at the Midtown Athletic Club to raise awareness and funds for research and development of a highly accurate ovarian cancer early detection test.
The concept came about from Bethany Diamond, an indoor cyclist teacher and tri-athlete who she lost her friend, Debbie Greenflamm, to ovarian cancer, due to late detection. Diamond decided to create the Ovarian Cycle as a way to get people involved with indoor cycling and raise money for a needed cause. “There is no test for ovarian cancer and so we do this ride to raise money solely for the research to develop an effective early detection test,” said Diamond, whose initiative is now in six cities around the country.
Whether it was survivors, families of those who have passed or friends in support, the ride wants to bring information and awareness to women. “The disease is known as the silent killer because the symptoms mimic those of a woman’s monthly cycle, but continue on for more than four days,” said Donna Narducci, executive director of the Ovarian Cycle. “Because there is no early detection test, the cancer is not diagnosed until it has reached stage three or four. We really want to emphasize that women learn the symptoms and if any of them persist, do not to ignore them and get checked out for ovarian cancer.”
That is why the Northrop sisters participated in the event. “We lost our mother to ovarian cancer last year because of a late diagnosis. We miss [our mother] terribly, and this is our way to ensure another mother, sister, daughter, or family never has to go through this again,” shared Melissa Northrop, who along with her sister, Amanda, rode in honor and the memory of their mother, Regina.
The Ovarian Cycle is a six-hour ride that completes a virtual 100 miles. Atlanta’s event raised more than $120,000 combining to the total of $300,000 brought in from New York City and Tallahassee, Fla., with rides still to take place in Birmingham, Ala., Boulder, Colo. and Seattle, Wash.
To get involved with the Ovarian Cycle or to learn more about ovarian cancer , visit www.ovariancycle.org.
Story Update: The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta donated more than 55,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies to the Metro Atlanta Red Cross as a part of the group's Gift of Caring commitment. Additionally, the Girl Scout chapter participated in Japan's tsunami and earthquake relief efforts on Thurs., April 21 and Fri., April 22 at the Hickory Flat Fire Station in Canton by counting origami paper cranes and packing backpacks filled with essential items for the children of Japan. The effort is headlined by Carter's and Oshkosh B Gosh, the clothing retailers, in their effort to contribute to Japan's tsunami relief efforts.
CAPTIONS
Good.0426 30- Bryan Gorman (left), Melissa Northrop, Lisa Winecoff, Amanda Northrop and Cassi Moody participated in the Eighth Annual Ovarian Cycle ride that took place at the Midtown Athletic Club on Sat., April 16 as an effort to raise awareness and funds for research towards early detection tests for ovarian cancer. The group represented Regina's Army in the memory of the Northrop sisters' mother who passed away last year because of a late diagnosis. Devika Rao, doing.goodajc@gmail.com
Good.0426- Founder of the Ovarian Cycle Bethany Diamond (left) along with ovarian cancer survivor Kathy Zwald lead the 169 riders at the Ovarian Cycle that was held at the Midtown Athletic Club on Sat., April 16. In its eighth year, the indoor cycling event has expanded to six cities and has already raised over $300, 000 in 2011 towards research for an early detection test for ovarian cancer. Courtesy of the Ovarian Cycle.
Good.0426 27- 169 riders came out to support the Ovarian Cycle on Sat., April 16 at the Midtown Athletic Club in Atlanta. The participants take part in the six-hour indoor cycling event that completes a virtual 100-mile ride, or a century ride. The efforts of this fundraiser will go directly towards research for an early detection test for the disease that is known as a silent killer among women. Devika Rao, doing.goodajc@gmail.com
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