Third time’s the charm.
For the third year in a row, Tell Every Amazing Lady About Ovarian Cancer Louisa M. McGregor Ovarian Cancer Foundation, also known as, T.E.A.L., kicked off the first day of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month by lighting up a beloved Brooklyn landmark.
On Friday, September 1, the non-profit organization joined friends, family and supporters at the foot of Coney Island’s storied Parachute Jump, 1000 Surf Avenue, to light it teal in the name of ovarian cancer awareness.
T.E.A.L. CEO Pamela Esposito-Amery and her sister, the late Louisa M. McGregor, co-founded T.E.A.L. in 2009.
“We’re both born and raised in Brooklyn so it’s always exciting to have anything lit up in the borough of Brooklyn,” said Esposito-Amery. “It’s really nice just to have Brooklyn shine for ovarian cancer.”
According to Esposito-Amery, events such as the lighting help spread the word. “The mission is to spread awareness of ovarian cancer, raise funds for medical research and support survivors,” she explained. “By lighting a monument, it might get women to a doctor earlier and save lives. We had lots of volunteers, survivors and families affected by diseases.”
The landmark’s LED technology also allowed the Parachute Jump to spell out T.E.A.L.
“September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month so it’s really great to be able to kick that off in Coney Island,” Esposito-Amery said. “It helps us raise awareness for all women and men affected by it.”
The Parachute Jump shone teal throughout Labor Day Weekend, with Brooklyn Borough Hall following suit on Wednesday, September 6. Borough Hall will remain lit through September 15. Manhattan’s City Hall will also light teal on September 27 and, starting September 14, T.E.A.L.’s community center in Park Slope (533 16th Street) will light its ground floor front windows teal as well.
According to Esposito-Amery, the most important weapon in the fight against ovarian cancer is education.
“There’s no screening test,” she stressed. “So, one of the most important things is education and awareness.”
Esposito-Amery urges everyone to visit T.E.A.L.’s website, www.telleveryamazinglady.org, for a list of signs and symptoms.
“Our message is in our name,” she said. “It’s all about telling every amazing lady.”
T.E.A.L. will also be hosting its ninth annual Walk/5K Run on Saturday, September 9, beginning at the Prospect Park Bandshell, Ninth Street and Prospect Park West.
For 5K runners, the cost to participate is $30; $25 for walkers. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.tealwalk.org/brooklyn.
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