Volunteers Turn the Town Teal in Lewes for ovarian cancer awareness

Volunteers fanned out across Lewes Aug. 30 to Turn the Town Teal, a national campaign to draw awareness to ovarian cancer and its symptoms.

“People see the signs, they see the bows, and it starts the conversation,” said Sally Oberle, vice president and special projects coordinator for the Delaware Ovarian Cancer Foundation. “There is still no test for ovarian cancer. We want women to be aware of the symptoms, which are extremely vague. The whole point is to save more women’s lives.”

Oberle lost her sister, Sidney, to ovarian cancer.

“It is important for women to know their own bodies,” said cancer survivor Donna Verner, who hung teal ribbons with 11 of her neighbors from Marsh Island. “I had noticed something starting in my 40s. My doctor listened to me and said, ‘it’s probably just a cyst.’ But I had a test that led to another test and got to a specialist who took care of it.”

This is the ninth year the city is participating in the national campaign.

Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams said the city has always stood behind efforts like Turn the Town Teal.

“We’ve always tried to be a partner with anything having to do with wellness because of our relationship with Beebe [Healthcare] and all the healthcare workers we have. Anytime you have an opportunity to raise awareness about these types of diseases, I think the city should get involved,” he said.

Residents are encouraged to join the campaign by tying teal ribbons to their mailboxes, doors and sign posts.

The teal ribbons will be visible on poles around Lewes until the end of September.

Brochures will be available at local merchants to provide additional information for women.

Oberle said the Delaware Ovarian Cancer Foundation pledges $50,000 to cancer research every year. 

The foundation will hold its 12th annual Teal Ribbon 5K Run Saturday, Sept. 30 at Rockford Park in Wilmington.