Teal ribbons will drape downtown Doylestown's lampposts and trees again Saturday, Aug. 29, as volunteers gather for the 18th annual Turn the Town Teal campaign to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
Former Borough Councilwoman Joan Doyle, who has organized the local effort since its start, is calling on residents to show up at the Starbucks parking lot at South Main and State streets. Sign-in begins at 9:15 a.m., with the kickoff ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Coffee, snacks and water will be provided.
Doyle brought the campaign to Doylestown in memory of her sister, Anita Stein, who died of ovarian cancer after nearly six years fighting a stage 3 diagnosis. This year's ceremony will feature Doyle's niece, Dr. Debra Stein, speaking about her mother and what it means to be part of a "legacy family" affected by the disease.
Jane MacNeil, president of the national Turn The Towns Teal nonprofit, will also speak and share updates on advances in ovarian cancer awareness. MacNeil has led the organization while fighting her own 10-year battle with the disease.
"If we can save even one woman's life, we have succeeded," Doyle told Patch.
The kickoff ceremony will honor those lost to ovarian cancer and recognize survivors. Organizers are asking survivors and families who want a loved one acknowledged to provide the person's name, year of diagnosis, date of passing and age in advance.
"We hope you can join us for that moving part of the ceremony. Many find it cathartic to continue to honor their loved one," Doyle said.
Turn The Towns Teal is a national 501(c) nonprofit whose campaign coincides with September, National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. According to organizers, women ages 10 to 80 are at risk. If detected early, the success rate is 90 to 95 percent, but no conclusive early detection test exists, and the disease is often diagnosed in later stages.
The Doylestown Rotary Club is a longtime sponsor, paying annually for ribbons, symptom cards and lawn signs and providing a team of volunteers.
The ribbons stay up through September.
After the ceremony, volunteers fan out through downtown's commercial areas to hang them on lampposts and trees along the borough's main corridors.
How to participate: Show up Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Starbucks parking lot, South Main and State streets, Doylestown. Sign-in at 9:15 a.m. To have a loved one honored or for more information, contact Joan Doyle at [email protected] or 215-262-4242.
Coming up:
- Saturday, Aug. 29 — Turn the Town Teal kickoff, 9:30 a.m., Starbucks parking lot, South Main and State streets
- September — National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month; teal ribbons on display throughout downtown Doylestown
