Turn the Towns Teal

Lindenhurst, IL


- Turn The Towns Teal was founded in 2007 by Gail MacNeil of Chatham,

NJ, who during her 10 year battle with the disease realized that not enough was being done for ovarian cancer awareness. 

Ovarian cancer is
the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the U.S.  There is no early detection test and the symptoms are subtle and often misdiagnosed which is why knowing the symptoms is so very, very critical. Classic symptoms of ovarian cancer are: pelvic or abdominal pain/discomfort (bloating), vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets, frequency and/or urgency of urination, unexplained changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight gain/loss, ongoing unusual fatigue, back pain, menstrual changes, and pain during intimacy.

The Turn the Towns Teal Campaign not
only consists of volunteers tying ribbons in and around town centers across the country but also distributing symptom cards to YMCAs, health clubs, libraries, church groups, etc.  The ribbons are the visual; the symptom cards are key in educating people about the disease and its symptoms as when ovarian cancer is detected in the early stages, the survival rate is 90 to 95% successful. 

This September
(National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month) you will see Teal ribbons adorning trees, mailboxes, lamp posts, etc. all over Lindenhurst.  These 
biodegradable ribbons are to make people aware of ovarian cancer and its often 
silent symptoms.  

Most women are not
diagnosed until it’s too late.  Knowing the symptoms and being personally proactive are critical in fighting this disease.  This year we have registrants in 36 states, and the enthusiasm for this awareness campaign just continues to grow.  Turn The Towns Teal is giving ovarian cancer survivors a voice that they’ve never had.  I am turning Lindenhurst teal in honor of my Mom, Sandy Mobley, who fought courageously but lost her battle.  I promised her I would continue her fight and my hope is that women’s lives will be saved through my efforts.

For more information on Turn the Towns Teal, please 

visit www.turnthetownsteal.org to learn more.