Turning the Town Teal

Cathy Buchanan ties ribbons on downtown poles for National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

Have you noticed the teal ribbons tied around the poles along Wayne Rd?  Have you wondered why they are there?  September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and the teal ribbons help raise awareness about this cancer.
Many insurance companies and doctors don’t provide or cover the simple tests that can detect ovarian cancer.  The symptoms can be easily overlooked-bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, feeling the need to urinate urgently or often.  Women can experience these symptoms on a weekly or monthly basis and brush them off as flu symptoms, aging or something they ate. This program tries to bring awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms to the public in a visual way.
The teal ribbons were tied to light poles and trees by the staff of Carpet One on the last Friday of August.   The store closed from 9 a.m.-noon so the staff can perform this service to the community.
Cathy Buchanan, owner, states “if tying ribbons throughout our city helps save one life, then I’ve done my job keeping a family together. I’ve met some amazing people from starting this campaign, and I look forward to every September where we can once again teal up the streets of Wayne and Westland.”