A local couple once again took an extra step in aiding patients’ fight against ovarian cancer.
On July 21, Christopher and Lanie Marcus hosted their second annual reception to benefit Tina’s Wish, a nonprofit organization that funds research on early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer.
The event, which took place at the Marcus’ home in Sands Point, raised over $110,000, almost double the amount they raised during the event last year.
“Chris and I do not really have words to express our gratitude and appreciate,” Lanie Marcus said.
While the event was focused on all patients battling ovarian cancer, Marcus said it honored her mother, Nadine Fladell, a former Long Beach resident, who died from stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2013.
Marcus said her mother was very conscientious about getting screened for breast and ovarian cancer because she knew that if ovarian cancer was caught early, it could be cured.
“My mom was an outspoken and authentic woman who loved her family dearly,” Marcus said.
But, in 2005, Fladell felt uncomfortable and bloated for a few weeks, Marcus said, and in June a sonogram revealed a mass on her ovary. She had surgery to have the mass, which was said to be benign, removed, but after the pathology report came back, it was discovered that the mass was malignant and the cancer was in stage 3C/4.
Eight years, five surgeries and 16 rounds of chemotherapy later, Fladell died, but Marcus said she fought incredibly hard through pain and suffering.
“This is why we decided to support Tina’s Wish,” Marcus said. “The goal is to find an accurate early screening method for ovarian cancer. This foundation means so much to us and would have meant so much to my mom.”
The Marcus’ event included an outdoor cocktail reception, where patrons enjoyed food, drinks and live music, and was followed by opening remarks from Marcus about her mother and by a Tina’s Wish board member, Chief Judge Cecelia Morris of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Then Dr. Douglas Levine, director of gynecologic oncology at NYU Langone Medical Center, gave a presentation on the disease while stressing the importance and need for early detection screening.
“I am passionate about this foundation’s cause and happy to welcome community members, friends and family into my home for this celebration to honor my beloved mother,” Marcus said.
According to a release by Tina’s Wish, the majority of ovarian cancer patients discover the disease in later stages due to the lack of an early screening. But if detected early, the chance to be cured is around 90 percent.
If you’re interested in donating to Tina’s Wish in support of the early detection of ovarian cancer, contact Beverly Wolfer at bwolfer@tinaswish.org or (212) 880-5757.
