2012 Schedule

OCSA 2012 Schedule of Events

OCSA is looking forward to an exciting year with events including Walks, Health Fairs, Conferences, and a Half Marathon! Download the full schedule here and stay tuned for updates!

March 6, 2012

Our co-founder, Susan Mark Roman loses her battle with ovarian cancer

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of OCSA co-founder, Susan Mark Roman. She lost her battle with ovarian cancer on March 5th, 2012. Susan was a remarkable woman and the inspiration behind everything that we do here at OCSA. OCSA co-founders Rick Roman and Vallie Szymanski, along with the OCSA team, will continue to do all that is possible to raise awareness about the silent symptoms of ovarian cancer.

January 21, 2012

An Afternoon with Regina Taylor: Celebrating the Special Women in your life!

This Luncheon will honor the memories of Betty Mark (Roman’s mother), Hettye McNamara (Szymanksi’s mother) & Leannell Taylor (Taylor’s mother) and invite attendees to do the same through their participation and support.

Celebrating the Special Women in Your Life which includes all the mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, grandmothers, grandchildren, cousins and best friends!  Alarmingly, statistics show that ovarian cancer is diagnosed in one of every 55 women and is the number one gynecologic cancer killer.  More than 220,000 women are diagnosed with this cancer every year.  OCSA is dedicated to raising awareness and saving lives.

Location: The Signature Room at the 95th, 875 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL  

Time: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Cost: $150 per ticket, $1200 one table of 10

Dress Code: Business Attire

Register here

Sponsorship Package




“Regina Taylor is Breaking the Silence on Ovarian Cancer”

Article by Briana L Packen

A Distinctive Style Issue 16 – Fall 2011

September 11, 2011

2nd Annual Walk for The Goose

Location: The Windings Clubhouse, The Great Western Trail, 42W346 Retreat Court, St. Charles, IL  60175
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Ticket Price: $25.00

OCSA believes in the healing power of the human/animal connection, so if you’re a dog person, grab your leash and join us with your pooch at The Great Western Trail in The Windings, St. Charles, IL for a 1-3 Mile Dog Walk that will include registration, t-shirt, poop bags, and lunch.

Register here.

Need a hotel room for the walk?

A block of rooms has been reserved for walk attendees at the pet-friendly Holiday Inn Express in St. Charles!  The discounted group rate is $89/night plus tax.  Please mention “Walk for the Goose” to receive the discounted rate.  Call 630-584-5300 or book online with group code “WFG.”

Holiday Inn Express, St. Charles

1600 E. Main Street
St. Charles, IL  60174

Rooms are also available at the historic Hotel Baker in St. Charles!  The discounted group rate for a luxury guest room is $159/night plus tax.  Please mention “Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness” to receive the discounted rate.  Call 630-845-5831 to book.

Hotel Baker, St. Charles

100 W. Main Street
St. Charles, IL  60174

Local Resident Leads Annual Walk to Raise Awareness of Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

Story by Kelly Wisecarver

“Vallie Szymanski, St. Charles resident and executive director of the Ovarian Cancer Symptom Awareness Organization, invites the community to join over 200 participants expected at the 2nd Annual Walk for the Goose in St. Charles, Ill. on Sunday, September 11. The event supports the educational outreach mission of this non profit…”
Read the full story here…

Awareness à la Carte

Chicago Restaurateurs Rick and Susan Roman from The Signature Room at the 95th ask fellow restaurants to support the first annual Ovarian Health Awareness à la Carte during September

Ovarian Health Awareness à la Carte takes its place among worthy restaurant-supported charitable causes in September, International Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. We invite you and your organization to participate and help raise funds to increase awareness and save lives.

Sign up to be one of the many participating restaurants throughout Illinois by committing to raising a minimum of $300 through donations requested of diners through guest check additions, or through corporate donations that can support the cause.

By participating, your establishment will be recognized and linked on the OCSA and The Signature Room at the 95th websites (in total reaching over 39,000 unique viewers each month!) beginning September 1, and throughout this year as participating sponsors of our Ovarian Health Awareness à la Carte program.

You can make a difference! Learn more…

Download the application form here.

Susan’s Story

My name is Susan Roman, otherwise known as “Goose,” who you’ve been reading about on this site. In August 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer. That means cancer cells were found in more than one area in my body. For me, it was a tumor in my omentum and cells on my…

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