Photo by Alison James
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AU Coach Kim Evans speaks to a crowd at the EAMC Health Resource Center as part of the observance of Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.
Photo by Robert Noles
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Teal ribbons were placed in the courthouse square in honor of gynecological cancer awarness.
By Alison James
Associate Editor
The Teal Magnolias, a local support group for all gynecological cancer survivors, have been “painting the town teal” – TEAL, representing Take Early Action and Live! – this month in honor of Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.
Members also started out September with a special speaker – Auburn University golf Coach Kim Evans, who talked about her experience fighting and beating ovarian cancer Sept. 4 at the EAMC Health Resource Center.
Evans said she was likely getting sick for a long time before she finally sought a medical answer to her constant fatigue.
“I just thought it was the stress I put on myself to win,” Evans said. “I felt bad all the time … I would literally come home from work at 5 or 6 p.m. and I would go to bed. I did this for months, and I just thought it was pressure.”
Finally Evans said enough was enough.
“I go to the doctor, and sure enough, there was a mass,” Evans said. “I was thinking, there’s no way I can have cancer.”
Evans regaled attendees with stories of her hopefulness and determination to beat ovarian cancer and her struggles along the way. Members of the audience asked questions and shared their own stories.
The Teal Magnolias handed out packets of information on each of the gynecological cancer and encouraged people to be aware of their health and take these cancers seriously.
For more information on this group, visit them on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TealMagnoliasAL. For more information on gynecological cancers, visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic.