Cancer may have damaged her vocal cords, but Teresa is speaking up.
There is no screening test for ovarian cancer. The standard of care for my cancer has barely changed in 30 years. As part of my treatment plan, I will need a clinical trial one day. Slashing cancer research funding is callous.
Teresa has had three significant cancer diagnoses throughout her life, each one requiring their own treatment plan and recovery. When she was young and beginning to work as a trained actor, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that left her with a paralyzed vocal cord. After her treatment and one recurrence, she focused on raising her kids and eventually went back to school to become a medical assistant. She picked up running as a new hobby, but soon was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following chemo and radiation, she was again cancer-free.
In 2023, after retiring from her medical job and picking up acting again, she noticed swelling in her stomach and began experiencing abdominal pain while running. Teresa knew to advocate for herself and push for thorough testing, and was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer.
Through chemo, radiation, and infusions, Teresa does her best to maintain her regular life – continuing to run, travel, and audition – but cancer has taken a physical toll. Through her journey, she has been motivated to connect with other cancer patients, and has joined support groups and matched up with newly diagnosed women. She’s also advocated with OCRA and even traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with her lawmakers in support of cancer research funding.