70,000 Americans between 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer each year. That's one every eight minutes. This is not OK! 

 I am a 3 year survivor of late stage Ovarian Cancer. I am currently on weekly chemo and daily experimental drug study,   with the intention to kick this cancer to the curb once and for all. ****UPDATE:  1/25/12 The cancer is no longer responsive to the study and is growing once again. I am currently unsure of what the next treatment will be. This is not unusual for someone like me. Cancer patients are always in the situation of things changing very quickly. This uncertainty is part of our lives and I will stay positive and keep everyone updated when we settle on the next course of action******

During the year prior to diagnosis  I was  persistently sick.   If I had Googled all my symptoms, no doubt  Ovarian Cancer would have come up. 

That year I went to the doctor 4 times. My symptoms never got better. The doctor threw around diagnoses like: stress, peri-menopausal, stress, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, stress, allergies, stress. I asked for a colonoscopy and she said I should wait until 40. Again, my  youth and seemingly good health kept my doctor from taking my symptoms seriously.  My story is NOT unique and neither is the absolute isolation I felt when I got the news. I believe that this isolation is the reason that among women and girls diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer the highest suicide rates are associated with the youngest patients within the first year of diagnosis. THIS is NOT OK. 

When I was not going through my first 2 sets of chemo and multiple surgeries I wanted to meet other people like me. I went from an active lifestyle to mostly bedridden.  I[2]Y allowed me to get connected and feel like I was not the only one facing cancer at a young age. These connections were among the first experiences after diagnosis  that gave me HOPE. I wasn't well enough to go the Cancer Summit but I listened to the web broadcasts, joined the message boards and eventually talked to other survivors who were facing the challenges I was facing. 

The OMG! Cancer Summit is the premiere oncology conference and social networking event for the young adult cancer movement.  A program of the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation, the OMG! Cancer Summit, now in it's 5th year, has become a pivotal healthcare event that inspires thousands of survivors, cargivers and providers—along with scores of academic, advocacy, research and support organizations—to get organized, build community and unite as one to drive change.

Join our team and support efforts to ensure that young adult survivors get the chance to attend this event and participate in a life-affirming weekend of support, education, community and hope.

Stupid cancer. Survivors rule.

“The OMG! Summit taught me to keep fighting, be my own advocate and never give up, no matter what the doctor says.”

"I loved meeting new people as well as seeing old friends in person who I’d only known through Facebook.”

“The OMG! Summit and the sheer enormity of our community has left me more inspired than ever."

“I made so many new connections. I can't wait to spread more awareness about young adult cancer.”

“What an amazing, life-changing and inspiring weekend.”