A Global Network
We are uniting a Global Network of independent organizations and individuals in the fight against gynecologic cancer.
Featured Regional Event
2019 IGCS Sunrise Run
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
At the beautiful Barra de Tijuca Promenade along the beach, survivors, caregivers, and other participants at the 2019 IGCS Global Meeting in Rio de Janeiro rose with the sun to run in support of the global fight against gynecologic cancers. In high spirits, they participated in the Annual Sunrise Run before a day of stimulating panels and provocative discussions focused on all aspects of gynecologic oncology—especially areas of greatest likely benefit to patients.
Survivor Spotlight
Our first survivor spotlights feature the three recipients of the 2019 IGCS Distinguished Advocacy Award.
Venus Ginés
Founder/President, Día de la Mujer Latina
Houston, Texas, USA
“The year was 1992, when a simple slip and fall on a flight sent me to the Emergency Room. During the exam, the doctor proceeded to ask if I had ever had a mammogram; I said, ‘No.’ He explained that at 41, I should have had a baseline test. I asked why, and he said that mammograms can detect breast cancer in its early stages. My initial response was, ‘But I’m Latina. We Latinas get cervical cancer; breast cancer is a white woman’s disease.’ The fact that I only saw white women on TV discussing breast cancer led me to believe that this type of cancer would not strike Latinas.” Read more of Venus’ story.
Miho Katagi
Co-Founder/Director, SMILEY
Tokyo, Japan
“In 2004, when I was 30 years old, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (Mucinous, Stage Ia) and treated with surgery and chemotherapy. At the time, I knew nothing about ovarian cancer, my son was only 2 years old, and I felt anxiety every day. While dealing with the diagnosis and such uneasy feelings, I was supported and encouraged most by other ovarian cancer patients I met online.” Read more of Miho’s story.
Survivor-Caregiver Symposium
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
September 21, 2019
Ask a Survivor
If you have a question you would like answered or a topic you would like discussed from a survivor or caregiver perspective, please send it to Dicey Scroggins at dicey.scroggins@igcs.org. We will reach out to the community and post responses.
Benda Kithaka Co-Founder/Chair, Women4Cancer Early Detection & Treatment
Nairobi, Kenya
Benda is not a cancer survivor, but she is the sister of a cervical cancer survivor and co-founded the featured organization.
“In February 2010, my young sister—27 years old and a mother of one child—called with the devastating news that she had been diagnosed with cancer. This diagnosis was made by a general practitioner in a village hospital. She and her husband were utterly broken and in a panic mode, trying to make plans for the future of their young family without her, since unfortunately, any cancer diagnosis was viewed by many as a death sentence.” Read more of Benda’s story.
We Create: Joint Art Project
“We Create: Joint Art Project” is a signature survivor- and caregiver-led opportunity to create and leave art—as a gift from the gynecologic cancer community and a remembrance—in each region where IGCS holds a Global Meeting. Everyone who attends the meeting can contribute to the art piece, perhaps through a paint brush stroke or a mosaic tile placement. IGCS will provide the supplies; you will each contribute your own artistic touch.
IGCS will include an art project in most major advocacy-community events and encourage others to do the same, providing basic guidance and templates.
Advocates in Action
Thanks for your support in the fight against gynecologic cancer!