Yale School of Medicine Discovery to Cure Program to Host Walk for Women's Reproductive Cancer Research

On September 28, 2014, the Discovery to Cure program at Yale School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences will host the Beverly Levy Walk to End Women’s Reproductive Cancers.

The Yale Walk-a-Thon for gynecologic cancers was started in 2013 by Beverly Levy of Woodbridge, who at the time was fighting ovarian cancer. This year, the walk is named in memory and honor of Mrs. Levy, who succumbed to the disease in March 2014.

Discovery to Cure seeks to host at least 1,000 participants and raise $200,000 to aid in the discovery of new treatments for gynecological cancers as well as tests that can detect these cancers earlier. A committee comprising friends and relatives of Beverly Levy, as well as others who have been impacted by these cancers, is planning the event.

Part of Beverly Levy’s mission was to publicly introduce information about these ‘little-known’ cancers, which affected her and other women, in hopes of sparking action and dialogue within the community. Even while receiving chemotherapy treatments, Beverly could be seen organizing the 2013 Yale Walk-a-Thon and recruiting walkers to participate in the cause.

Her vision for a future with better resources and options for women with reproductive cancers rallied more than 750 participants and raised over $150,000 to support the research and patient well-being programs of Discovery to Cure.

Ovarian cancer alone accounts for 3% of cancers among women, yet it kills more women than any other reproductive cancer (American Cancer Society). Awareness education, research and new treatment discoveries can be the difference between the 89.2% five-year survival rate of breast cancer patients and the 44.6% rate for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer (National Cancer Institute). In 2014 alone, it is estimated that 21,980 women will be newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and it is projected that over 14,270 will die from the disease (American Cancer Society).

The Discovery to Cure Beverly Levy Walk Committee hopes that all can make it out to the walk this year to honor Beverly and take one step closer to a cure for the cancers that too many women fall victim to. The walk is scheduled for September 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. and will consist of a two-mile stroll through Yale’s campus with accompanying tour guides. Please join/follow the fundraising walk www.discoverytocurebevlevywalk.kintera.org.

More Information:
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2014
Check-in/Registration: 10:00 a.m.
Two-Mile Walk Start: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Yale Woolsey Hall, 168 Grove Street, New Haven, CT

Caption: Rosa DeLauro cut the ribbon to start the 2013 Discovery to Cure Walk.
Front : Beverly Levy, Perri Levy, Elena Ratner, MD, Rosa DeLauro
Back: Alessandro Santin, MD, Peter Schwartz, MD, Howard Thompson, Dan-Arin Silasi, MD, Thomas Rutherford, MD, Masoud Azodi, MD

About Discovery to Cure

Discovery to Cure advances the prevention, early detection and treatment of women’s reproductive cancers. Exceptional clinical care and novel treatment advances combined with programs that enhance quality of life for patients and their families support the best possible outcomes. An education component raises awareness of these diseases among the community, provides internships for high school students and undergraduates and offers fellowship opportunities to physicians across the globe.