DEAR EDITOR:

A special “thank you” to the local organizations who sponsored the Teal Ribbons for Ovarian Cancer Awareness month on the park benches around Courthouse Square. As an ovarian cancer patient and survivor, I appreciate my hometown bringing awareness to this most dangerous and rare cancer. Ovarian cancer does not get the attention of breast cancer, but those who are diagnosed need the love and support as much as those who have more common cancers. Ovarian cancers are hard to diagnose because the symptoms are vague, often found in later stages, and are often caused by genetic mutations such as mine was. Ovarian cancer is difficult to cure and has an high recurrence rate. For those women in Warren and the Mahoning Valley who currently are being treated or are survivors, I see you; and salute your courage. May there be a cure one day to put an end to this terrible disease.

JILL MEROLLA

Warren