News Photo by Darby Hinkley A teal ribbon blows in the wind across from Northern Eye in downtown Alpena on Wednesday afternoon. The ribbons have been placed around the city to promote ovarian cancer awareness. Learn more at MIOCA.org.

ALPENA — When Wendy Werth’s sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it was almost too late.

“She died on the table, and they kept her alive,” Werth recalled. “And I said, ‘If she lives, I’m going to do something.'”

That was a little over a year ago, and Werth has been volunteering since then to promote awareness of ovarian cancer in Northeast Michigan.

One of those efforts is placing teal ribbons on trees all over the downtown Alpena area in September, which is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Werth and three other women placed about 75 ribbons all over town in an effort to raise awareness. The team of volunteers included another sister, Laurie Aube, and Jean Johnson and Darlene Schultz.

“My sister came down with ovarian cancer, and she’s a survivor,” Werth said of her sister, Peggy Woody. “She had no idea of the symptoms, and that’s a common, common thing.”

Werth has been working with the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance to educate others about the signs and symptoms, and what they can do to get ahead of the disease before it progresses.

“We’re trying to promote awareness,” Werth said. “We’ve been passing out symptom cards. We’ve been at the farmers market. I don’t want them to be in the same position my sister was.”

She said that, because ovarian cancer is not as prevalent as breast cancer, fewer people are aware of the signs and symptoms, but that needs to change.

“It’s definitely improving, but we’ve got a long way to go,” Werth said. “Ninety percent of women have never had a doctor talk to them about it. Isn’t that sad?”

Werth added that her sister is well now, thanks to the treatment she received.

“She’s doing fantastic,” she said. “If she would’ve known about the symptoms, she might’ve gone in sooner.”

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include:

¯ Bloating

¯ Pelvic or abdominal pain

¯ Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly

¯ Urinary issues (urgency or frequency).

The MIOCA recommends that you see your doctor, preferably a gynecologist, if any of these symptoms are new and occur more than 12 times in one month.

“Know the symptoms, and talk to your doctor,” Werth said. “We don’t want women to get to the stage 3 and 4.”

She added that there are certain tests you can request to check for ovarian cancer, but most are not currently covered by insurance.

“That’s why I’ve gotten very flustered because you have to pay for it,” she said.

Werth will continue to work with the MIOCA to raise awareness and advocate for change, and she encourages anyone interested to join her team of volunteers.

She is also very willing to help anyone seeking information about ovarian cancer, or to help support anyone who has already received their diagnosis.

Contact Werth with any questions or to get involved at 989-657-1972.

Learn more about ovarian cancer at MIOCA.org.