From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Emily Campbell’s Story of Strength and Purpose

Every ovarian cancer survivor story has the power to connect, educate, and inspire.

In this episode of Teal Talk – An Ovarian Cancer Podcast, we follow Emily Campbell’s journey of resilience, uncertainty, and purpose. Diagnosed at just 33, she faced a rare and often misunderstood condition. What began as a search for answers became a mission to create change for others.

If you or someone you love is navigating ovarian cancer, Emily’s story offers both honesty and hope. You are not alone in this.

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When symptoms are dismissed

Emily’s experience began in a way many in our community recognize. She had persistent symptoms but struggled to get clear answers.

“I was extremely full after one, two bites of food. I was so distended in the abdomen that I looked pregnant.”

Like many women, she moved between doctors without clarity. It was not until she went to the emergency room that imaging revealed tumors throughout her pelvic region. Within weeks, she underwent major surgery.

“They ran an ultrasound and an MRI, and they had found tumors all over my pelvic region. Six days later, I had a hysterectomy.”

For Emily, the uncertainty did not end with surgery. She received multiple diagnoses, including low-grade serous ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumors. This lack of clarity is common with rare subtypes and can feel overwhelming.

Navigating uncertainty and treatment decisions

After surgery, Emily entered a phase many patients know all too well. It was filled with complex decisions and unclear answers.

For a time, she believed she would undergo chemotherapy and long-term treatment. Then, after seeking additional opinions, her diagnosis changed. That shift altered her treatment path entirely.

This is a reality for many facing rare ovarian cancer subtypes. There is often no single clear standard of care. Some treatments are used off-label, and patients are left weighing risks without complete data.

“I think there is just a lack of understanding progression, and the biology of the diseases themselves, and that’s very frustrating. These women that have borderline ovarian tumors, they’re assessing these risks without the information.”

For younger women especially, these decisions carry added weight. Treatment can trigger early menopause, impact fertility, and affect long-term health. These are not just medical choices. They are life-altering ones.

Why clinical trials matter

Emily quickly saw how critical research and clinical trials are, especially for underfunded and under-researched subtypes.

“Clinical trials and research are so important, particularly to tumor types like low-grade and borderline because they are going to move the needle on treatment protocols.”

For conditions like low-grade serous ovarian cancer, there are still limited FDA-approved treatment options. That means many patients rely on emerging therapies and evolving research to guide their care.

Clinical trials are not just about future patients. They can offer access to new treatments today while helping researchers better understand how these diseases develop and respond to therapy.

Emily also highlights something that is often overlooked: quality of life.

“Quality of life is so important for these young women…It’s also considered a chronic disease, so they’re going to be dealing with this maybe for the rest of their life.”

This perspective is essential. Research is not only about extending life, but also about improving how that life is lived.

Finding strength through community

Recovery was not just physical for Emily. It was emotional and deeply personal.

“I learned that I need a community. I needed to be surrounded by my people during this.”

She filled her home with loved ones and chose to talk openly about her experience. That connection helped her process what she was going through.
Later, Emily connected with the NOCC through a fundraising half-marathon, which became a turning point in her healing.

“And that just blew me away of the community that the NOCC has built over the years and just how incredible the organization is with patient experience and quality of life…The first fundraising that I did for ovarian cancer was through the NOCC because I ran the half-marathon in January of 2024. It was a year after my surgery. That just helped me also just feel stronger too.”

For many, especially younger women facing rare diagnoses, finding others who understand can make all the difference.

Turning a rare diagnosis into advocacy

Emily’s journey did not stop with her own diagnosis. It became the foundation for something bigger.

Her experience with misdiagnosis, shifting information, and limited research revealed gaps that needed attention.

“If they are saying that they do not see this often… then who else is hearing this?”

She founded her organization, Not These Ovaries, to address those gaps. Her goal was twofold: to fund research for overlooked ovarian cancer subtypes and to create accessible, reliable information for patients.

She understood firsthand how isolating it can feel to not have clear answers. That is why she prioritized education that is both medically accurate and easy to understand.

Her work now supports research into tumor biology, treatment effectiveness, and new therapies that could change outcomes for future patients.

“We wanted to create a voice for our organization. I said the voice should be the older sister that’s been through this and will tell you like it is…You want that kind of older sister that’s been there.”

Through advocacy, Emily has transformed her experience into impact. She is helping ensure that others will have more clarity, more options, and more support than she did.

Conclusion

Emily’s ovarian cancer survivor story reminds us that strength can grow even in the most uncertain moments. Her journey reflects the realities many face, including delayed diagnosis, complex medical decisions, and emotional challenges.

It also shows what is possible when individuals find community and purpose.
Her message is simple but powerful: Ask questions. Seek support. Advocate for yourself and others.

If you are navigating ovarian cancer today, know this: There is a community ready to stand beside you.