Oswego State is taking strides to spread awareness through their fifth annual “Totally TEAL” walk, with a record number of participants, according to men’s ice hockey coach Ed Gosek, on Tuesday morning.
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, and teal can be seen throughout campus. This year had special significance due to the passing of Mary Gosek, a long-time Oswego native, computer technician for the school and wife of Ed Gosek. She passed away in June of this year from ovarian cancer after a five-year fight.
“TEAL stands for tell every amazing lady,” Mary Gosek’s sister Joan Kesselring said. “It brings awareness to the cancer, which many deem the silent killer because of the subtle warning signs.”
According to the Cancer Treatment Center of America, symptoms of ovarian cancer can be as mild as abdominal cramps, tiredness, or changes in appetite or menstruation.
One common misconception about the illness is that it can be tested by a Pap test, when in reality, there is no regular routine test.
“The symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and are actually things most women experience, so it’s not easily detected and very rarely early detected,” Kesselring said.
These misconceptions pushed members of the campus to spread awareness.
“The main idea of the event is to spread awareness of ovarian cancer and the signs and symptoms,” said Tammy Reitz, a close friend of Mary Gosek and administrative assistant for Campus Technology Services.
In addition to the walk around campus, there are other events that the Gosek families friends participated in to help spread awareness.
Mary’s Mighty Team of TEAL was formed in honor of Gosek and participates in events to raise money and awareness. Hope for Heather, a nonprofit out of Central New York, holds events year-round to benefit the same cause.
The selflessness and compassion that Mary Gosek brought with her was apparent at Tuesday’s event.
“Mary never made it about herself. It was always about raising awareness, about helping other women and the silent killer,” said Ed Gosek.
“[The event] is trying to bring the symptoms to the forefront and the hope that young girls and ladies will be aware of it until they can come up with a means for early detection.”
About 200 participants showed for Tuesday’s event, and there are many more scheduled events, such as the Sept. 23 Hope for Heather fun run and walk and the Oswego Laker’s TEAL hockey game on Oct. 28.
“Mary’s ultimate goal was awareness. If we can continue to get people’s attention to the disease and its symptoms, I think we’d be honoring her,” said Mary Gosek’s sister Susan DiBlasi.
“What I want, I don’t want anybody to ever forget her,” Mary’s sisters Kesselring and DiBlasi said while fighting through tears.
Photo: Dori Gronich | The Oswegonian
