Arizona Together in Teal

Welcome to my 2024 Together in TEAL® Page!

Can you believe it's September already?! For most people that means back to school, football and the start of pumpkin spice season, but for me it means Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and fundraising for a cause that's near and dear to my heart. Every year I think things will get easier, but sadly they do not. This past year has been even more difficult than the last: Navigating the many lasting effects of this chronic disease, advocating for life-changing funding and research in a time of budget cuts and inflation, but nothing is unequivocally more heartbreaking than saying goodbye to so many dear friends who have succumbed to this illness and those dealing with a recurrence.

Most people that go through cancer hear those magical words, “remission,” and never, ever have to look back. On the other hand, ovarian cancer, more specifically low grade serous (my rare type of ovarian cancer) has an 85% recurrence rate! There’s never a time where we can look forward to a future without worrying about our cancer coming back. There’s never a moment where we can truly feel like we beat this. And sadly, there will never be a year without mourning the loss of a teal sister.  This insidious disease that disproportionately impacts younger, pre-menopausal women is persistent, recurrent and ultimately fatal and there is no FDA-approved treatment for it.  

So why do I keep at it when things seem so hopeless? Well as Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Where there is love, there is life.” I have found so much love and support in my teal community. I have found a sisterhood like no other and I want to give hope to the women who have been with me every step of the way and constantly remind me that I am never alone in this battle. I want to make a difference in the lives of others who no longer have the strength to fight, but need this teal army to rally around them and show them they will never, ever be forgotten about! These women, these beautiful, selfless, amazing women, who have changed my life for the better, need my help and therefore I need your help!

I cannot thank you enough for all of the love and continued support I have received from so many of you since being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer in 2020.  This year, I registered for the 2024 Together in TEAL® event because I want to raise awareness and funding for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. My support will help improve the lives of women, families and communities touched by ovarian cancer. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today! Imagine a world where no woman ever loses her life to ovarian cancer…now that’s the world I want to live in! Will you please help me save lives and put an end to ovarian cancer by donating today? Remember, no donation is too small in the fight against ovarian cancer.

With gratitude,

Rachel Sackett-Putman

Team #Sackettstrong

Survivor, Thriver and Advocate