By AMY BANTON
When Laura Cantwell was in downtown Aiken on Sept. 1, she noticed that it was decorated in teal ribbons and the water in the fountains was that color, too. At that moment, the hue meant so much to her and her loved ones.
"It was very special for our family to see that on such a difficult day," Cantwell said.
Sept. 1 was the day her mother, Sandra, 63, passed away after years of fighting ovarian cancer. The family was working on flower arrangements for her funeral when they saw the teal, which represents ovarian cancer awareness, adorning the downtown area.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and the City of Aiken approved a request from the Relay For Life team Gail's Anatomy to turn the downtown fountains teal, as well as the placement of teal ribbons on trees or lamp posts.
Sandra's church, St. John's United Methodist on Newberry Street, decided to participate, as well, and turned its fountain teal on Sept. 7.
"She was just a lovely, beautiful person, and she fought this disease with courage and grace for six years," said Dr. George Howle, senior minister of St. John's.
Jim Minear, who is in charge of the church fountain, Howle, Laura Cantwell and her father John together poured the teal dye into the fountain.
Debbie Mills and Alicia Owens of Gail's Anatomy were present. Public Service Director Tim Coakley was also there to assist.
"Turning the fountain teal was really special. We both love the church so much," John said. "It was emotional knowing how Sandra would feel about that. She would be very pleased, she would be tickled."
Both Sandra's husband and daughter said she loved to teach. She was an English teacher and guidance counselor at Schofield Middle School. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she continued to teach others by spreading awareness of the disease in any way she could.
She also never gave up and stayed optimistic, John said.
"She was determined to keep a positive attitude and not complain," John said. "She just kept on going. She kept fighting it for herself and kept fighting it for her family."
Laura, who now lives in Florida, said she enjoyed meeting Gail's Anatomy team members, including Mills, who founded the group.
Mills' daughter Gail died of ovarian cancer on Feb. 14, 2007, at age 30. Mills started the team in efforts to spread awareness that could help lead to early detection and, in return, save lives.
"It made me so happy to meet someone who made such an impact in the community. It made me want to be more active. She's a true inspiration," Laura said. "Gail's Anatomy has done a wonderful job."
Ovarian cancer is often called a silent disease because the symptoms are so vague.
Symptoms can include pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort, vague yet persistent gastrointestinal problems, frequency or urgency in urination without having an infection, unexplained weight loss or gain, pelvic or abdominal swelling, bloating or feeling of fullness, ongoing fatigue and unexplained changes in bowel habits.
Ovarian cancer can affect women at any age.
Howle said it's a hideous disease that sneaks up on women and he hopes turning the church's fountain teal helps amplify awareness of this silent disease. He said the church plans to do this every year.
"It wasn't just the beauty of the fountain changing colors," Howle said. "For us and Sandra's family, it was a moment of hope. That's what it was."![]()
When Laura Cantwell was in downtown Aiken on Sept. 1, she noticed that it was decorated in teal ribbons and the water in the fountains was that color, too. At that moment, the hue meant so much to her and her loved ones.
"It was very special for our family to see that on such a difficult day," Cantwell said.
Sept. 1 was the day her mother, Sandra, 63, passed away after years of fighting ovarian cancer. The family was working on flower arrangements for her funeral when they saw the teal, which represents ovarian cancer awareness, adorning the downtown area.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and the City of Aiken approved a request from the Relay For Life team Gail's Anatomy to turn the downtown fountains teal, as well as the placement of teal ribbons on trees or lamp posts.
Sandra's church, St. John's United Methodist on Newberry Street, decided to participate, as well, and turned its fountain teal on Sept. 7.
"She was just a lovely, beautiful person, and she fought this disease with courage and grace for six years," said Dr. George Howle, senior minister of St. John's.
Jim Minear, who is in charge of the church fountain, Howle, Laura Cantwell and her father John together poured the teal dye into the fountain.
Debbie Mills and Alicia Owens of Gail's Anatomy were present. Public Service Director Tim Coakley was also there to assist.
"Turning the fountain teal was really special. We both love the church so much," John said. "It was emotional knowing how Sandra would feel about that. She would be very pleased, she would be tickled."
Both Sandra's husband and daughter said she loved to teach. She was an English teacher and guidance counselor at Schofield Middle School. When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she continued to teach others by spreading awareness of the disease in any way she could.
She also never gave up and stayed optimistic, John said.
"She was determined to keep a positive attitude and not complain," John said. "She just kept on going. She kept fighting it for herself and kept fighting it for her family."
Laura, who now lives in Florida, said she enjoyed meeting Gail's Anatomy team members, including Mills, who founded the group.
Mills' daughter Gail died of ovarian cancer on Feb. 14, 2007, at age 30. Mills started the team in efforts to spread awareness that could help lead to early detection and, in return, save lives.
"It made me so happy to meet someone who made such an impact in the community. It made me want to be more active. She's a true inspiration," Laura said. "Gail's Anatomy has done a wonderful job."
Ovarian cancer is often called a silent disease because the symptoms are so vague.
Symptoms can include pelvic or abdominal pain and discomfort, vague yet persistent gastrointestinal problems, frequency or urgency in urination without having an infection, unexplained weight loss or gain, pelvic or abdominal swelling, bloating or feeling of fullness, ongoing fatigue and unexplained changes in bowel habits.
Ovarian cancer can affect women at any age.
Howle said it's a hideous disease that sneaks up on women and he hopes turning the church's fountain teal helps amplify awareness of this silent disease. He said the church plans to do this every year.
"It wasn't just the beauty of the fountain changing colors," Howle said. "For us and Sandra's family, it was a moment of hope. That's what it was."