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June 5, 2009
Paddling funds for research
Family and friends working for early ovarian cancer detection.
SUSAN J. KATZ
What if ovarian cancer, one of the most deadly and yet difficult to diagnose cancers, could be detected by a simple procedure like a Pap smear? That is the goal of the family and friends of Alisa Levi Bowman, who died only seven months after her ovarian cancer was properly diagnosed.
"I was inspired by the Canary Foundation (www.canaryfoundation.org) – you know, the story of how coal miners used to send down a canary to test for safe air to breathe in a mine – let's catch it before it kills us." Those are the words of Gloria Levi, Bowman's mother, whose family has drawn together to create the Wave Warriors Paddle Fund in Bowman's memory.
According to Tamar Levi-Bandel, Bowman's sister, the idea of paddling in 35-foot Voyageur canoes in a 90-minute route off Jericho Beach as a fundraiser came from her son, Elisha Bandel, an experienced outdoor guide. The purpose of the paddle is twofold: to raise awareness of the need for early detection and screening and to fund the research required for the development of those techniques.
The idea of funding research, according to Levi, was "really hearing Alisa's voice, really guiding us with the importance and energy for what needed to be done – the need to help women make the right choice." To that end, Bowman's supporters have committed to donating funds to several research projects led by Dr. Dianne Miller, a physician and researcher who Levi heard speak at the annual Ovarian Cancer Research (OvCaRe) team meeting in 2008. The team is a partnership of the B.C. Cancer Agency and Vancouver General Hospital researchers.
There are several different projects being funded, but of particular importance are those aimed at educating physicians to start detection of ovarian cancer earlier rather than later. This is crucial, because currently there are no known specific symptoms and women must rely on themselves to advocate for consideration of ovarian cancer based on their own observations of ambiguous signs, such as abdominal bloating, pelvic discomfort, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome and depression. The ultimate goal is to create a screening procedure, such as a diagnostic tissue swab or blood test, or develop tools to collect and analyze tissue for evidence of the cancer.
Another project is aimed at re-training surgeons to remove the fallopian tubes, as well as ovaries and uterus, during hysterectomies, since, according to Miller, there is strong evidence that ovarian cancer begins in cells in the fallopian tubes, which are not routinely removed in these procedures.
Levi hopes the funding of Miller's research will be a lifetime commitment, "This June is the 12th month of mourning. Part of healing is that we might in some small way make some change. It's taken that long to focus and direct our energies to know where we wanted to go. It's been a long process."
The Alisa's Wave Warriors paddle is a special event under the auspices of the B.C. Cancer Foundation. The paddle itself is a unique and fun activity that reflects Bowman's involvement with family and community. There is no registration fee; instead, each paddler will try to raise $100 in pledges from others. This will allow participation for 100-125 or so paddlers from Bowman's extended community of family, friends and students in five large Voyageur canoes.
Bowman, who was a metapelet, nursery maid, at the kibbutz where she lived for seven or eight years, loved to include children in everything. She was "such a pied piper of children, with an unerring instinct for kids; she could always connect with even the shy girls," said Levi. "There was always a stream of kids at her home, which was kibbutz-style, at Edgewater Park in Richmond ... she made it like a kibbutz, everyone was friends there, with Alisa at the centre."
Bowman met her husband, Tim, at the kibbutz in Israel and they have had two sons, the youngest "jewels" of the extended family. Bowman worked hard in her last six months after her diagnosis to prepare her family. At their last seder together, her boys recounted visiting a friend in palliative care with their mother the year before her diagnosis.
"She made it all natural," said Levi. "She believed in being very engaged in life. Even when sick, she was still at the phone with the Camp Miriam committee, all the way there."
Alisa's Wave Warriors paddle will be held on Sunday, June 14, at 9 a.m. Register or donate online at donate.bccancerfoundation.com/site/TR?fr_id=1570&pg=entry.
Susan J. Katz is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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