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Great Lakes Region

About Us

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) is a nationally recognized organization with a growing coast-to-coast network of regions and markets. Our efforts are fueled by volunteers, survivors, legacy families and market managers. Together, we empower our communities through educational efforts and outreach initiatives. We embrace our legacy families as the voice of the voiceless, and advocate for survivors and caregivers by providing comfort and support through our programs and services.

Pittsburgh

PO Box 111000
Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Contact us via phone or email

412-661-1095

greatlakesregion@ovarian.org

Fundraise

NOCC has one vision – to live in a world where no woman loses her life to ovarian cancer. Each gift carries a unique story, and every dollar makes a difference in the lives of families affected by this disease.

To support NOCC, put your creativity and passion to work with a DIY event. Celebrate a birthday with a Facebook Fundraiser. Host a game night with friends or invite co-workers to a cycling event. The ways to engage your community and raise critical funds and awareness are limitless!

Events

December 2024
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Volunteer

Help strengthen NOCC with your time

We have a role for you. Whether you can contribute several times a month, or are looking for a one-day opportunity, you will make an impact.

The Great Lakes Region is seeking volunteers in the following areas:

Early Awareness

  • Raise awareness or ovarian cancer and promote education in your community by finding and exhibiting at health and community fairs, or to civic and community groups
  • Tell your story through public speaking and panel engagements 

Social Media and PR

  • Serve as a social media ambassador for NOCC by posting, sharing, and liking ovarian cancer content to expand reach
  • Promote regional events and programming by connecting with local television, radio and news outlets

Quality of Life – Survivor and Family Support

  • Provide peer support to ovarian cancer survivors and their families
  • Secure new hospitals and facilities for NOCC’s Faces of Hope program in support of newly diagnosed women and those experiencing a recurrence 

ROCK the Day DIY Events

  • Host your own DIY fundraiser or connect with local businesses to create give-back events. 

 Together in Teal Run/Walk Planning

  • Assist with the administrative preparation of the signature Together in Teal Walk event by helping with registration, mailing and packet assembly
  • Raise money and secure sponsorship, auction items and in-kind donations 
  • Manage and assist in team fundraising cultivation
  • Manage promotions/PR/media for the Walk

Together in Teal Run/Walk Event Day-Of

  • Volunteer the day of NOCC’s signature Together in Teal Walk event.

To learn more about these opportunities, or to sign up to volunteer, please contact us at greatlakesrgion@ovarian.org or call 412-661-1095

Outside Resources

UPMC Magee Womens Gynecologic Cancer Center

412-647-8762

Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute
412-687-7348

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
855-419-5020

Allegheny Health Network Cancer Survivorship Center
412-687-7348

Cancer Caring Center
412-622-1212 | cancercaringpgh@gmail.com
Local resource for cancer survivors and family members, providing specialized support services and education opportunities.

Our Clubhouse
(412) 338-1919 | octeam@ourclubhouse.org
Local resource for cancer survivors and family members, providing specialized support services and education opportunities.

National Rehabilitation Research and Training (RRT) Center on Family Support
caregiving@pitt.edu
Caregiver support and services.

Hair Peace Charities
412-327-5177 | diver1@verizon.net
Wig acquisition and hair loss support services.

Highmark Caring Place, A Place for Grieving Children
(888) 224-4673
Support for grieving children.

Names to Know

Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN

IProfessor of Nursing and Medicine
Co-Director, National Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Family Support
University of Pittsburgh
Director, GynOnc Family CARE Center
Magee Womens-Hospital of UPMC

Heidi is a long-term volunteer both for the Pittsburgh Chapter and nationally. She sits on the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board and generously facilitates the monthly Teal Cares Network support group for ovarian cancer caregivers. She also sits on multiple committees in the Pittsburgh market and regularly helps to spread early awareness by speaking to those in the medical community about early signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer that can promote early detection.

Dr. Sarah Taylor, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Services
Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC

Dr. Sarah Taylor is a GynOncolologist treating patients in the Pittsburgh market and serving as a national volunteer on NOCC’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Taylor’s research interests include targeted and novel treatments of gynecologic cancer, correlated biomarker development for defining personalized cancer therapy, and screening and early detection of gynecologic cancers.

Denise Stenzel

Survivor & Teal Hearts Network Founder

Denise is an original founding member of the PIttsburgh Chapter, way back in 2000! She has maintained a leadership role those many years through committees, helping to plan our annual walk, and mentoring many dozens of newly diagnosed survivors. She founded the Teal Hearts Network support group back in 2010, long before she realized women across the country would benefit from the teal sisterhood it has fostered.

Christalyn Schmidt

Department Lead Advanced Practice Provider
Medical Oncology Cancer Survivorship Program
Gynecologic Oncology, Allegheny Health Network

Christalyn jumped in with both feet when she got involved with NOCC in the Pittsburgh market! She sits on multiple committees and helps to facilitate networking between the NOCC and AHN communities locally. She is always on hand to help oversee the Survivor Tent at the annual walk, making survivors feel special and pampered on their special day!

Get Social

Get Involved

Fundraise your way

Put your passion, ideas and creativity to work and ROCK the Day – our signature DIY fundraising program. We’ll give you the tools you need to get your event rockin’ and rollin’.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Together in Teal Everywhere as One

Run/walk events

Join our day of pure TEAL! NOCC’s coast-to-coast event puts activism into action. Run, walk, ride, skip, jump — whatever gets you moving safely. Register to celebrate the strides we’ve made.

Endurance events

Your miles matter! Endurance athletes can join our team to make great strides in the fight against ovarian cancer as you create national awareness and fund programs for survivors and caregivers.

Make a donation

Contact us

Find a support group

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