Feeding hope’s flame

When Christa Slatnick and Cindy Sanchez lost their mother to ovarian cancer in 2000, it was devastating. The twin sisters decided to volunteer for Winnipeg’s inaugural Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope in 2004 to honor their mother and carry on her legacy. Slatnick shared, "Although losing her was the hardest thing we've ever gone through, especially when we were only 23 years old, to take such a negative thing and turn it around and help other people makes her loss feel like it's improving the world by increasing awareness."

The walk, which will mark its 22nd year on September 27, has been a core part of their lives for over two decades. The sisters, both nurses by profession, noticed a recurring pattern in their patients - women struggling to receive early diagnosis and treatment for ovarian cancer. While treatment options have improved, the survival rate for the disease has remained stagnant for three decades, with a five-year survival rate of less than 50%.

Genetic testing plays a crucial role in early detection, but accessibility remains limited. The sisters are active in various advocacy groups pushing for increased access to genetic testing. Despite the challenges, they remain passionate advocates for raising awareness about ovarian cancer.