Cortland Memorial Foundation Announces Ovarian Cancer Care Partnership with Hope for Heather

Cortland Memorial Foundation, in support of Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, announces the “Hope for Heather” Ovarian and Other Gynecologic Cancers Program. This partnership comes as we approach National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September. 

On Monday, August 5, the founders of Hope for Heather presented a check for $10,000 to Cortland Memorial Foundation for the creation of the new program, which will promote education and awareness and help to provide financial assistance, comfort and support to women and their families devastated by ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.

Hope for Heather is a not-for-profit established in 2009 by Gary and Frieda Weeks of Liverpool, NY, in memory of their daughter Heather, who lost her life to cancer at age 24. Heather was an advocate for women’s cancer and committed to raising funds to find a cure.

“Hope for Heather is thrilled to begin this new chapter of gynecological cancer awareness and education to the Cortland area,” said Frieda Weeks, Hope for Heather President & Founder. “Our new partnership with Cortland Memorial Foundation will help ensure that no woman is left behind. It's going to be an exciting first year!”

Through this new program, Cortland Memorial Foundation will continue Heather’s dream of educating all women on the major symptoms of gynecologic cancers (ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, vulvar, and fallopian tube cancer).

"Learning of the Hope for Heather program and campaign gave me great confidence in the community and its dedication to medical greatness,” said Dr. Kristin Algoe, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Guthrie Cortland OB-GYN. “Within the last year, I have taken care of many women newly diagnosed and affected by gynecologic cancers. With a diagnosis comes a time of great uncertainty and anxiety. Knowing there are programs like this put into place for community support allows me to alleviate some of these anxieties and help patients find their paths to recovery with assistance. I am very grateful to the charitable founders of this group as they continue their service to the women of our community, our mothers and sisters and daughters in need of care, guidance and support."      

For more information on Hope for Heather, visit www.hopeforheather.org.