We're back! The race will take place on Sunday, October 15th in the Town of Mount Royal.
The Dagenais Joly-Smith Fund is dedicated to supporting The DOvEE Project under the leadership of Dr. Lucy Gilbert. The DOvEEgene project brings screening of ovarian and endometrial cancers one step further with the new genomic uterine pap test, DOvEEgene test, developed by Dr. Gilbert and her team of McGill researchers; it provides a safe and minimally invasive method for earlier diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial cancers while being the only test to distinguish cancerous versus non-cancerous cells in pre- and post-menopausal women. With its ability to detect cancers as early as stage 1, this revolutionary test will change the future of ovarian and endometrial detection.
Reacting, Accepting, Fighting and Overcoming the beast
Dominique Dagenais, currently in remission, and her son Maxime Joly-Smith, launched a fund to raise awareness and help diagnose Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer in its early stages. Proceeds are directed toward Dr. Lucy Gilbert’s DOvEE Project at the Cedars Cancer Foundation.
"On January 21, 2015 my mother received the unexpected and devastating diagnosis of stage 3 ovarian cancer. Commonly referred to as the “silent killer”, ovarian cancer has few to no symptoms. Therefore her diagnosis after a routine operation came as a shock to us all.
Our blessed family life was turned upside-down as we navigated the daunting and precarious world of a cancer diagnosis. Within weeks of being diagnosed, my mother undertook numerous tests, undergoing a hysterectomy on February 3, 2015, followed by weekly chemotherapy treatments.
Then in November 2016, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was linked to the ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Her determination, courage and amazing physical fitness have greatly helped her in this battle. The support and love from her family and friends have shifted the odds in her favour.
My world crumbled after my mother’s diagnosis and re-occurance. I found myself wondering what I could do for someone who had so selflessly done so much for me, when it occurred to me to start a fund to raise awareness and aid in diagnosing ovarian and endometrial cancer early.
These frightening and life changing experiences have brought me to a simple conclusion, that all women deserve a second chance at the gift called life!"
Facts relating to Ovarian Cancer in Canada
That is why this disease needs much more attention, because there are still too many women dying due to late detection and lack of education.
