St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness began with Christina Carr’s wish to increase awareness of her disease, ovarian cancer. She needed help to make that happen, so she reached out in 2002 to six women she’d met during her cancer treatment.

They were Judy Parham and Nancy Larson-Vomund, both oncology nurses; Joanne Guerrerio, a psychological resource nurse; JoAnn Carter, Diane Harrison and Grace Katzenberger, who were all survivors of ovarian cancer.

The seven co-founders spent the early days incorporating, honing a mission statement and, later, securing tax-exempt status from the IRS. That fall, the women traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance conference to learn how to become an advocacy organization.

Back home, the group cobbled together a small grant from a drug company and literature sent by OCNA to put on a seminar. Then it began modest, homespun ways to raise money. Grace pieced together a quilt that brought $1,320 in a raffle. Others fashioned bracelets and earrings to sell.

In September 2003, Christina Carr spearheaded an awareness day at Busch Stadium for SLOCA. Sadly, she passed away that fall, but the event has been held every year since.

With a $7,500 grant from a drug company, SLOCA was able to print its own brochures, awareness cards and teal lapel pins.

And, as they say, the rest is history. Or make that HERstory.

SLOCA's founders are shown here in 2002. Back row, left to right: Nancy Larson-Vomund, Judy Parham, Grace Katzenberger, Joanne Guerrerio. Front row, left to right: the late Christina Carr, Diane Harrison, JoAnn Carter.

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