The Harlan Community School District plans to recognize the importance of Ovarian Cancer Awareness with a “Teal Out,” this Saturday. During a doubleheader basketball game against Council Bluffs/Abraham Lincoln, the Cyclones will hold the “teal out” to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. There will also be a personal story told by Earling native and survivor of ovarian cancer, Nadine Kenkel.

Kenkel is an advocate for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. She says Ovarian Cancer is a silent killer. “And that is because there is not a screening tool to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages. A screening tool example would be a pap smear to detect cervical cancer, a mammogram for breast cancer and a psa for men for prostate cancer.” 

A foundation was developed recently called Colleen’s Dream to create a screening tool for Ovarian Cancer. The foundation was started by Harlan Community graduate Billy Cundiff, whose mother in law passed away from the disease in February 2013. During the ball games, bracelets and t-shirts will be on sale along with a raffle drawing for a 32” TV donated by Bonsall’s TV and Appliance in Dunlap. A bucket run will take place at halftime of the boy’s game along with Kenkel speaking to the crowd. Kenkel says there are three goals for the Teal Out.

“One of them is to increase awareness for ovarian cancer. Another one is to educate women on early signs and symptoms for ovarian cancer. And then lastly to collect monetary donations to fund research which will find a screening tool to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages.”

The double header basketball game at the Harlan Community High School will tip off at 4-pm, with the girls’ game followed by the boys’ game on Saturday.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)