Around January 2006, Karene O’Hare began suffering from abdominal pain that went misdiagnosed as a muscle tear for about 14 months.
O’Hare, who worked as a nurse and spent time volunteering at Lackey Free Clinic, would later find out — after experiencing an intolerable pain that put her in the hospital — ovarian cancer had been the cause of her discomfort.
That trip to the hospital in March 2007 put her on the path to an accurate diagnoses, but the news was grim: The cancer had advanced to stage III.
After 18 months of treatment, including 10 surgeries — with at least six of them major — and two rounds of chemotherapy, O’Hare succumbed to the cancer in October 2008.
This weekend, O’Hare’s family will honor her memory with the fifth annual Karene O’Hare Ovarian Cancer Memorial Run.
Over the past four years, the race has raised $6,000 in scholarship funds for students on a path to careers in the medical profession, and $69,000 of funds raised have been distributed for medical service grants to Lackey Free Clinic and Olde Towne Medical Clinic to go toward ovarian cancer screenings and testing in patients who are uninsured or under-insured.
Since the fundraiser began, seven women have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer as a result of the grants, said O’Hare’s husband John.
John O’Hare said he has hopes to exceed last year’s race participation, which had about 250 runners.
This year’s race, which has about 200 people registered so far, takes place at 6:45 a.m. Saturday at New Quarter Park. The cost to participate is $30 and registration is ongoing until the race begins. Online registration typically closes around 10 p.m. Friday, but participants may also register at the race Saturday.
Karene O’Hare’s husband and five children decided to commit themselves to spreading awareness about ovarian cancer, which is often left undiagnosed until it hits an advanced stage, by Christmastime 2008 — just months after she died. Nine months later, the family hosted the inaugural Karene O’Hare Ovarian Cancer Memorial Run.
They have since hosted the run every September, which is also known as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
The race raises money through registration fees and raffle tickets, which are sold at $3 each or $10 for four tickets. It also raises month through a silent auction, which this year boasts autographed seasons of HBO’s “True Blood.” O’Hare’s son, Denis, had a major recurring role as the character Russell Edgington on the show for two seasons.
For more information about the race and Karene O’Hare’s story, visit the run’s website. For registration information, visit the registration page.
