Standing for a cure

Jeana Keough and Tammy Knickerbocker — two of the “Real Housewives of Orange County” — recently returned from a trip to New York City, where they were photographed standing next to buses plastered with their images.

That type of exposure allows them to use their celebrity to support and endorse a variety of charitable causes, especially those that affect women.

The celebrities were mingling with guests at a fashion show and luncheon Thursday at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel, hosted by Ovations for the Cure, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for ovarian cancer.

“When you become someone who’s out in front as a media person and you’re recognized and well known, people approach you to make appearances and lend support for different charities,” Knickerbocker said.

“All of us have been touched by someone with ovarian cancer,” Keough said.

Ovations founder and Boston resident Patty Franchi-Flaherty was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer in February 1999.

After surgery and chemotherapy treatments, her cancer went into remission for five years, then recurred in February 2004.

Franchi-Flaherty and a core group of 10 girlfriends were determined to “save other women from the devastation of the disease,” and created Ovations for the Cure two years ago.

Because the symptoms of ovarian cancer go undetected until the disease is in a more advanced stage, Franchi-Flaherty’s mission is to raise awareness and help save lives.

“The sad fact is that ovarian cancer patients don’t live long enough to advocate for their disease,” she said. “Not a lot of survivors make it past the five-year marker, and when they do, they just want to spend time with their families and friends.”

They don’t want to get out and talk about ovarian cancer, Franchi-Flaherty said, but that’s the only way she believes people will become aware of the disease and its symptoms.

Ovarian cancer is described as the “silent disease” because its symptoms — stomach discomfort, gas and distention — can be mistaken for other ailments or misdiagnosed. Early detection is key, Franchi-Flaherty said.

After her ovarian cancer returned, Franchi-Flaherty learned she had a genetic mutation that prevents her immune system from fighting off cancer cells. Looking for alternative treatment, she became part of a clinical trial at the City of Hope in June.

Ovations for the Cure hosted its first fashion show and luncheon event in Boston last year, raising $120,000 for the organization, and followed with a second one earlier this year.

Claire Wells, account executive for Ovations for the Cure said 95% of the money raised goes toward research, which is an unusually high percentage.

“Normally, only about 25% will go toward research, but because Patty funds everything herself, including salaries, they are able to raise more for research,” Wells said.

Because of her involvement with City of Hope, Flaherty decided to host the first Ovations for the Cure event in California this month.

Fashion designer Stuart Weitzman provides shoes and accessories for the fashion shows, but offers a greater service by partnering with Ovations for its “Happy Feet” program.

Flaherty purchased a pair of Weitzman’s “upscale” jelly slippers to wear when she went for her chemotherapy treatments.

The shoes, adorned with Swarovski crystals, were comfortable and beautiful, she said. They are now offered through the program to all women beginning chemotherapy treatment.

Trudy Crawford, who received her Weitzman slippers about three months ago, was wearing them at Thursday’s luncheon. Crawford was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2005, was in remission for 10 months, and is now back in treatment at the City of Hope.

That’s where she saw the flier for the event, found out about the shoes, and decided to volunteer. “I’m not the only one out there,” she said.

Jenina Alberto was 19 when she was diagnosed in February 2005. She’s 21 now, also in treatment at the City of Hope, and a third-year student at Cal State Long Beach.

“Being in school brings normalcy back into my life,” she said, and while kids her age are partying, she’d rather be volunteering at an event like Ovations for the Cure. “This is much more valuable and has more meaning.”

“Housewife” Knickerbocker agrees.

“It’s hard to pick just one charity. I couldn’t dedicate myself to just one cause. If they think I can help, I’m glad to do that.”

OVARIAN CANCER FACTS

• 23,100 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women this year.

• Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system.

• 14,000 women will die this from ovarian cancer.

• Ovarian cancer often does not show any obvious signs or symptoms until late in its development.

• The risk for developing ovarian cancer increases with age.

• Women who have never had children are more likely to develop ovarian cancer.

• To date, there is no effective testing for ovarian cancer. The ACS advises women to have periodic, thorough pelvic exams.

• Research has found transvaginal ultrasound and a tumor marker, CA125, may help in diagnosis, but they are not yet used for routine screening.

The most common sign of ovarian cancer is enlargement of the abdomen.

In women older than 40, vague digestive disturbances – such as stomach discomfort, gas and distention – that persist and can’t be explained by any other cause may indicate a need for an evaluation for ovarian cancer, including a thorough pelvic exam.

• The five-year survival rate for all stages of ovarian cancer is 50%.

• If diagnosed and treated early, the survival rate is 95%, but only about 25% of cases are found at the localized stage.

— Source: The American Cancer Society

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at [email protected].