Turning Pain Into Purpose: Rachel Putman’s Ovarian Cancer Survivor Story

Every ovarian cancer survivor story carries lessons of strength, grief, resilience, and hope. For Rachel Sackett Putman, her journey began during one of the most uncertain times in recent history and eventually became a mission to help others feel less alone.

In this episode of Teal Talk – An Ovarian Cancer Podcast, Rachel shares how a devastating season of loss, infertility, and multiple cancer diagnoses led her toward advocacy and community leadership. Her experience with low-grade serous ovarian cancer changed the course of her life, but it also gave her a new sense of purpose.

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Facing two cancer diagnoses during the pandemic

Rachel’s journey began in early 2020 during an already overwhelming season of life. After the loss of her father and amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband were trying to grow their family.

After struggling to get pregnant, Rachel visited a fertility specialist. What followed were scans, surgeries, delays caused by the pandemic, and a growing list of unanswered questions.

A CT scan revealed masses in both her ovary and breast. Soon after, she was diagnosed with stage 2A HER2-positive breast cancer. But doctors still needed answers about what was happening in her abdomen.

A PET scan eventually confirmed additional concerns, leading to another surgery and, ultimately, a diagnosis of stage 3A low-grade serous ovarian cancer.

“By the end of June, we got the call that I was diagnosed with Stage 3A low-grade serous ovarian cancer.”

Because of pandemic restrictions, Rachel endured appointments, surgeries, scans, and life-changing conversations largely alone.

“Every appointment, every procedure, lab, surgery, hearing I had cancer twice, that was all done by myself.”

Her treatment journey included multiple surgeries, a bilateral mastectomy, fertility loss, and a 20-hour road trip to MD Anderson Cancer Center for a second opinion.

For many younger women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, fertility loss can become one of the most painful parts of the journey. Rachel’s experience reflects the emotional complexity many survivors face while navigating treatment decisions, grief, and uncertainty all at once.

Finding connection through the ovarian cancer community

Like many survivors, Rachel searched for answers online after her diagnosis. What she found instead was connection.

“My thoughts went to the internet, which that’s the first thing everyone tells you not to do.”

Because low-grade serous ovarian cancer is a rare subtype that often affects younger women, Rachel felt isolated and overwhelmed at first. Then she discovered an online support community filled with women from around the world who understood exactly what she was experiencing.

“All I was looking was for connection. All I was looking was to meet someone else with my diagnosis.”

That support became a lifeline during some of her hardest moments.
Rachel also found support through the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. During the early days of the pandemic, NOCC resources were delivered directly to her home. Over time, those resources and relationships became an important part of her healing.

“The NOCC was the first organization that I was able to reach out to when I was first diagnosed.”

As she became more involved in the ovarian cancer community, Rachel formed deep friendships with fellow survivors and advocates. She attended NOCC retreats, connected with mentees, and discovered the healing power of being surrounded by people who truly understood.

Turning pain into advocacy

As Rachel recovered physically and emotionally, she began asking difficult questions about access, support, and survivorship.

While navigating insurance approvals, disability paperwork, and treatment decisions, she realized many patients do not have the same support systems or financial stability.

“Who helps these other women?”

That question stayed with her.

Later, while participating in a survivorship class focused on meaning and legacy, Rachel realized advocacy could become her purpose.

“I knew I had to create my own legacy…I need to start turning this pain into purpose.”

What started as a single local proclamation for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month quickly grew into a nationwide advocacy effort. Rachel began working with cities across Arizona, New Jersey, and beyond to secure official proclamations and teal lighting ceremonies during September.

“This past year, I am so proud to say that we had over 80 proclamations.”

She also helped encourage cities to light landmarks teal in recognition of ovarian cancer awareness. Rachel’s advocacy eventually expanded to Capitol Hill, where she joined fellow survivors and advocates to push for ovarian cancer research funding and policy support.

“And if you look at that mortality rate for ovarian cancer, it’s over 60%, which is one of the highest across all cancers.”

Her message to lawmakers is clear: ovarian cancer research and early detection funding cannot wait.

Honoring the women who fuel her mission

Through the ovarian cancer community, Rachel formed friendships that changed her life. One of the most meaningful was with a fellow survivor named Jordan, whom she met through NOCC programs and mentorship.

Their stories were strikingly similar. Both women faced infertility-related discoveries that eventually led to ovarian cancer diagnoses. Through NOCC retreats and events, they found moments of joy together during an otherwise difficult chapter of life.

“We were able to dance and sing and have drinks and have fun and just, feel normal again.”

Rachel and Jordan even participated in the Disney Princess 10K together during the inaugural year for Team Teal. But only months later, Jordan passed away.

“And it was actually not even seven short months later, one day after her 33rd birthday, that she passed away.”

The loss deeply impacted Rachel and continues to shape the work she does today. For her, advocacy is not only about awareness. It is about honoring the women whose lives were cut short and making sure future survivors have better outcomes, more support, and more time.

“I’ve lost so many people, but just to see Jordan, she was a force, and to see her life cut so short and those of so many other countless women, that is what fuels me.”

Stories like Jordan’s are a powerful reminder of why ovarian cancer awareness, research funding, and survivor support matter so deeply. Behind every statistic is a real person, a family, and a community forever changed.

Conclusion

Rachel Putman’s ovarian cancer survivor story reminds us that advocacy often begins with personal pain, but it can grow into something that impacts countless others.

Her journey reflects many realities of ovarian cancer, including delayed answers, rare diagnoses, fertility loss, emotional isolation, and the need for stronger research funding. It also shows the extraordinary strength that can come from finding purpose and community.

Rachel’s story is not only about survivorship. It is about making sure others never feel invisible in their diagnosis.

If you or someone you love is facing ovarian cancer, know this: support exists, your voice matters, and you do not have to navigate this journey alone.