By: Josh Hart
Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper, Inc. (H.O.W.) hosted its inaugural H.O.W. Strong 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 26, at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, bringing together more than 400 participants for a morning of community, awareness and support for women facing ovarian cancer.
Runners, walkers, ovarian cancer survivors, families, local businesses and community members came together for the 5K Run/Walk, Kids Dash and virtual race. According to H.O.W., the inaugural event raised $33,500 in donations and secured $48,500 in corporate sponsorships to further H.O.W.’s mission and support the women it serves.
The event was made possible through the support of 25 sponsors and 10 community tent vendors, who helped create a lively Vendor Village and welcoming atmosphere throughout the park. Participants and families also enjoyed the Kids Dash and a 360 Live Photo Booth, while Schumacher joined the event with two Subaru vehicles on-site.
One of the most meaningful moments came after the race, when three ovarian cancer survivors took the stage to share their personal experiences. Jennifer Hubbell spoke about the impact H.O.W. and its Glenda M. Wright Angel Fund had on her life during an extremely difficult time. Jennifer Flanagan-Brown focused on recognizing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and the importance of knowing one’s body. Louise Altese-Isidori brought humor to the moment, joking that no one would be here without ovaries. Hubbell also participated in the 5K, making her presence and message especially meaningful.
The event also included an awards ceremony recognizing race winners and celebrating participants across a variety of age groups.
“What an incredible first year for the H.O.W. Strong 5K. What meant the most to me was seeing so many different parts of our community come together for the women we serve. There was such an amazing energy throughout the morning, but there was also a real sense of why everyone was there. We wanted to create an event that brought people together, honored the women we’ve lost, celebrated our survivors and helped more people understand the impact of ovarian cancer. Seeing that come to life in our very first year was incredibly special, and I’m so proud of what we created together,” said Amy Mattessich, Special Events Coordinator for H.O.W.
About H.O.W.
H.O.W. (Hearing the Ovarian Cancer Whisper) is dedicated to supporting women with ovarian cancer and advancing efforts to improve outcomes for the disease. Through the Glenda M. Wright Angel Fund, H.O.W. provides financial assistance to women with ovarian cancer experiencing financial hardship. H.O.W. also supports ovarian cancer research through the Dr. Robert C. Knapp Research Fellowship, provides scholarships to medical students interested in gynecologic oncology, promotes ovarian cancer awareness and education, and supports genetic screening for underserved and uninsured women who may be at increased risk for ovarian cancer. For more information about H.O.W. and the H.O.W. Strong 5K Run/Walk, visit the H.O.W. website.
