My name is Clair, and currently I'm a 3rd year university student studying BA Advertising at the University of West London.
For my final year project, we needed to create an advertising campaign on something we were passionate about. For me, the choice of topic was easy.
After my mothers devastating passing in 2007 from ovarian cancer, I have always wondered why they couldn't diagnose her before it was too late to treat. I mean, my mum couldn't even walk down the stairs without having to instantly sit down due to the severe pain, she couldn't keep any food down as instantaneously she would vomit causing a drastic weight loss. I remember the weight loss clearly as her wedding ring was too small for her before, but at the time she got diagnosed the ring would just slide off her finger.
I remember my mum used to love washing my hair for me, she used to always compliment how nice my hair was. However, one time she was washing my hair she suddenly stopped and sat down. I turned around to see her crying. Before my mother was ill, I never saw her cry. She was always so happy. I asked her what was wrong and she replied "I'm scared Clair, what if I don't get to see you grow up". As you can imagine this sentence is when it became so real for me. Instantly, I got up and gave her a hug and promised that she would.
Shortly after this, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and within two weeks she passed away. As you can imagine, this sentence constantly repeats in my head, even 10 years later.
As I didn't get to keep the promise to my mum, I feel like I owe it to not only her, but to all 7,200 women that are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year.
Creating awareness for ovarian cancer could save many lives. At an early stage, ovarian cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.