After seven years of bringing women together for a day of scrapbooking, crafting, good food and raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer, Zeal for Teal organizers have decided a change is necessary.
Over 80 women attended the final event, themed “Down on the Farm,” at the PMD arena on April 25.
Overalls, jeans, plaid shirts, work and cowboy boots, ball caps and cowboy hats were the dress code for the day. Two enthusiastic women came dressed in Holstein cow costumes.
A hearty farmer’s meal with all the trimmings was served at noon. A silent auction, penny table and country store kept volunteers busy throughout the day.
Many tears were shed when Fran Grant of Florida surprised her longtime friend, organizer Glynis Belec of Drayton, at the beginning of the day.
In April 2008 Belec was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Belec said, “After making a promise to God, that if I survived chemotherapy and got through this cancer journey, I would make a noise,” her daughter Amanda Newton came up with the idea of raising awareness of ovarian cancer through a scrapbooking and craft day.
Six months post chemotherapy for Belec, the first Zeal for Teal Scrapbooking and Craft Day was held in the fellowship hall of the Drayton Reformed Church.
An enthusiastic group of 48 women soon spread the word and the following year the location was changed to the PMD arena. Attendance doubled and the event continued to grow over the years.
Ovarian cancer is also known as the disease that whispers or the silent killer. Every woman is at risk but this cancer is common in women aged 50 to 79. Age, family history, reproductive history, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacements and ethnicity are risk factors. There is no reliable screening test for this type of cancer. Pelvic exams, transvaginal/pelvic ultrasound, biopsy and blood tests are procedures used in the detection process.
Symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are often vague and non-specific. Women with ovarian cancer can experience bloating, eating difficulties including feeling full quickly, abdominal and pelvic pain and urinary urgency and frequency. Other symptoms may include changes in bowel habits, extreme fatigue and unexplained weight loss. Early detection is key.
After seven years and successfully raising over $30,000 for ovarian cancer, Zeal for Teal organizers Belec and Newton have decided a change was in order.
“Sometimes the time is ripe for change. We all know about the seasons of life. One season is over and it is time for our day as you know it to cease. Zeal for Teal 2015 will be the final event of its kind,” Belec stated.
The original intent of Zeal for Teal was to raise awareness and inform participants and others about the signs, symptoms and importance of early detection of ovarian cancer. Also, the event raised funds for the Sunflower Seeds team’s annual participation in the Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope in September.
Zeal for Teal will continue, but it will look different in the future. Belec and Newton will be undertaking another form of fundraising that is less taxing on their families and themselves.
In an interview, Belec praised local committee members Darlene Hauser, Amber Tuck, Rosemary Latham, Sue Bauman, Amanda Hauser, Yvonne Timmerman and Ann Kabbes. The women went above and beyond in their individual roles at Zeal for Teal over the years and they each deserve so much gratitude and love, Belec stated.
“We have some exciting plans for the future of Zeal for Teal, that we want to remain a surprise for now,” she said.
