Join the Starr’s Mill and McIntosh volleyball teams this Thursday as they team up to raise awareness and funds for Harts of Teal.
“Our mission at Harts of Teal is to educate women in the community and teach them to recognize early warning signs with their body and to be their own advocate,” Kimberley Airhart said. “We believe in a world where women are in tune with their bodies and that no woman with a [gynecological] cancer diagnosis will walk alone.”
This year alone roughly 22,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is the deadliest cancer in the reproductive system and the fifth highest cause of cancer-related deaths in women.
Airhart was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer in 2020. She was not familiar with the signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer and for a long time had ignored the signs. Now that she has fought and beat the cancer she wants to spread the awareness of identifying the signs early on.
“Early detection can change the patient’s outcome entirely and prevent advanced staging,” Airhart said. “Most ovarian cancer is diagnosed at stage 3 or 4 when survival is 39-17%. Early detection can increase survival to 90%.”
Founded in 2021 by an ovarian cancer survivor, Harts of Teal is an organization created to educate women of all ages on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Early detection and education about this cancer can help save lives.
All proceeds for this Thursday’s matchup between the Panthers and the Chiefs will go to support Harts of Teal. In addition, during the best-of-five match collection buckets will be passed around.
During warm ups, both teams will wear Harts of Teal T-shirts provided by Dr. Brian Bragassa of the Peachtree City Orthodontics. The first 25 fans in attendance will receive a free battle for the TEAL Bubble T-shirt. All fans are encouraged to wear teal in support of the night.
The battle for the teal bubble begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Starr’s Mill gym.