TimesLeader.com

August 20
Spreading awareness, planting seeds

By Shelby Fisk sfisk@theabingtonjournal.com
Reporter/Photographer

SCRANTON- The 3rd Annual Cindy Collins Kearney Memorial Breakfast to benefit Ovarian Cancer Research, is set to be held Monday, September 1 at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Grand Ballroom, 700 Lackawanna Avenue in Scranton.

Cindy Collins Kearney

Cindy Collins Kearney

The Cindy Collins Kearney Committee for Ovarian Cancer Awareness had a committee dinner at Villa Maria II in Scranton recently. Members standing, first row, from left, include: Roseanne McGlynn, Sarah Kearney, Jean Collins, Denise McGowan, Cathy Collins, Colleen Lutchko, Kim Tesluk and Mary Kay Murphy. Second row: Linda Cadugan, Lynda Burns, Carolyn Gratz, Felicia Gerrity, Tara Doyle. Members are from Scranton, with the exception of Jean Collins and Carolyn Gratz, from Clarks Summit and South Abington, respectively.

Abington Journal Photo/Ben Freda

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Kearney passed away on June 5, 2005 after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Her hope to raise ovarian cancer awareness lives on through many, including her sisters Carolyn Collins Gratz and Cathy Collins, her mother Jean Collins, husband Kevin Kearney and children Colin Kearney, 22 and Sarah Kearney, who turns 19 on August 22.

Ovarian cancer is “cancer that forms in tissues of the ovary, one of a pair of female reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, are formed,” according to the National Cancer Institute.

According to the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry, symptoms most often associated with ovarian cancer include: a feeling of being bloated, vague abdominal and pelvic discomfort, gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, nausea, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, frequent urination, back pain and fatigue, discomfort during sex and vaginal bleeding.

The Web site for the organization states, “Although many women have these symptoms, if they persist for weeks they could be an early warning of ovarian cancer. Gilda Radner had every one of these symptoms for over a year prior to her diagnosis. Early detection can make the difference.”

The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry is a national computer tracking system that stores data for women with two or more close relatives who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and offers a help-line, education, information and peer support for women with high risk or family history of ovarian cancer.

The Registry also conducts research into causes of familial ovarian cancer.

Kearney’s sister Carolyn Collins Gratz said that Kearney signed herself, Gratz and their mother into the registry in 2002.

“Cindy loved flowers,” Gratz said. “She always had a beautiful garden. She had a way of planting seeds and so I really truly believe that by her putting us in this registry that was her way of planting some seeds to go forth and to be aware and for everyone to be aware.

“At the time I didn’t understand because I was more concerned about her, but looking back and thinking…then I realized.” Gratz said.

“She (Kearney) hoped that no one else would ever be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was her wish to spread the awareness to others, so that they were aware of the symptoms of the diseases,” wrote West Scranton High School classmate of 1974, Rose Ann Conflitti McGlynn in a letter addressed to fellow classmates, encouraging them to attend this year’s breakfast memorial.

This year’s memorial will include a traditional breakfast, complimentary mimosa, piano music by Chris Gratz and a raffle drawing. Registry Manager, Cathy Fahey will attend this year with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Quilt.

L’Oreal Paris and L’Oreal Executive Michael Trese have donated Color of Hope lipsticks, which benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, for all attendees. Attendees will also receive a copy of More magazine thanks to Editor, Lesley Jane Seymour and Contributing Editor Susan Swimmer.

All proceeds will benefit The Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry.

There is currently no specific test to detect ovarian cancer and there is currently no cure for the disease.

Gratz said she’ll continue the breakfasts until there is a cure. “It (a cure) would be wonderful,” she said. A test to detect the disease is also hoped for by Gratz who said ovarian cancer is 90 percent curable, when detected early.

“I miss her, but with her great sense of humor I can think of things that she said to me and I still laugh to this day,” Gratz said.

“I don’t want to be sad,” Gratz said. “This was important to her and to all of us...It’s a wonderful thing to cherish a life, and that’s what I hold onto.”

Gratz added that the memorial breakfasts are filled with laughter and hope; she said it’s the way Kearney would have wanted it.

For more information on ovarian and other forms of cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Web site at www.cancer.gov or call 1-800-4-CANCER. Visit the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry’s Web site at www.ovariancancer.com.

Want to help plant seeds?

What: Cindy Collins Kearney Memorial Breakfast to Benefit Ovarian Cancer Research

When: Monday September 1 at 10 a.m.

Where: Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Grand Ballroom, 700 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton

RSVP: By August 25 to Carolyn Collins Gratz at 881-3242 or GRATZCB@aol.com.