Teal Ribbons Adorn Scarsdale Village to Promote Awareness of the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

If you noticed the teal ribbons adorning the trees in Scarsdale Village here's the story behind the campaign. Long time Scarsdale resident Pip Cacciato arranged for the ribbons to be placed in Scarsdale to promote awareness of the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer. Her sister, Gail McNeil fought the disease for almost eleven years after her diagnosis with stage III cancer.

According to Pip, her sister Gail was fastidious about her healthcare and went to her gynecologist on three separate occasions complaining of classic symptoms; however, her doctor dismissed these symptoms as merely the onset of middle age. On December 23, 1997 Gail was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer. There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer and during her battle with the disease Gail realized that no enough was being done to publicize the symptoms of ovarian cancer. She wanted to spare others what she and her family endured.

She laid the foundation for Turn The Towns Teal®, now a national campaign to promote awareness of ovarian cancer and its silent symptoms. Volunteers tie ribbons throughout town centers and hand out symptom cards during the month of September which is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. She set forth certain guidelines for the campaign including the requirement that ribbons be put up in the beginning of September and taken down at the end of the month. She also required that volunteers receive written approval from their towns for placement of the ribbons. She started this campaign in 2007 at which time 40 towns in New Jersey participated. In 2012, there were registrants from 36 states.

In 2009 Gail's husband trademarked the name Turn The Towns Teal®, and Turn the Towns Teal, Inc. was formed. Subsequently the trademark was assigned to the new corporation which was later granted 501 (c)(3) status as a non-profit organization. Today, the campaign is being carried forward by The MacNeil Family and a group of dedicated volunteers.

Here are the symptoms and risk factors for ovarian cancer:

Potential Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

• Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
• Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
• Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits
• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
• Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
• Ongoing unusual fatigue
• Menstrual changes
• Pain during sex
• Back pain

Risk Factors Linked to Ovarian Cancer

• Genetic predisposition
• Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• Increasing age
• Undesired infertility