Today Governor Sonny Perdue and First Lady Perdue meet with the Georgian Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) to declare September 2005 "Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month." The Atlanta City Council also issued a citywide proclamation supporting this initiative.

  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050913/CLTU004-a)
  (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050913/CLTU004-b)

"Georgia cares deeply about the health of its citizens," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We hope this proclamation will raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the importance of early detection. Together we can work to eradicate the harmful effects of this disease on women and their families."

Women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are at much higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Nearly 600 Georgian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year alone. Out of all Georgian women previously diagnosed with the ovarian cancer, more than 400 will die this year. The most common symptoms include back pain, fatigue, abdominal bloating and/or pain, constipation and urinary frequency. For more information, please visit www.gaovariancancer.org.

The proclamations will bolster GOCA's mission to educate Georgian women, their loved ones and the medical community about the importance of early detection. "There is not a reliable, easy-to-administer screening test for ovarian cancer, which means raising awareness and early recognition of symptoms are vitally important to saving lives," said Gerri Vereen, a survivor and co-president of GOCA.

Fundraising for future awareness programs will continue at the GOCA Cabaret V Benefit Gala - an exhilarating evening of food and entertainment will take place September 12, 2005 at 6:00 pm at the Woodruff Arts Center. For tickets visit the GOCA website www.gaovariancancer.org, or call 404-255-1337.

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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050913/CLTU004-b
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SOURCE: Georgian Ovarian Cancer Alliance

CONTACT: Lisa Aloisio, +1-404-847-6361, or +1-404-788-1182, or
lisa.aloisio@autotrader.com , for Georgian Ovarian Cancer Alliance

Web site: http://www.gaovariancancer.org/