Chester, Mendham Turning Teal On Sept. 1

CHESTER, NJ — When people drive through Chester and Mendham Townships on and after Sept. 1, each of the township’s will be “tealed" during the month of September, when it is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

This is happening this year in 525 communities across the United States, for what is known as a “banner year” for the campaign, where ribbons of that color will be tied to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.

The movement was started as something not so quiet to make people aware of this silent disease, which is known for “its often subtle symptoms and its risk factors,” said Jane MacNeil, president of the Turn The Towns Teal Campaign.

The campaign is in its 15th year after it was started by Gail MacNeil of Chatham, the sister-in-law of Jane MacNeil, a Brookside resident.

Gail MacNeil came up with the alliterative title for the movement after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and sadly succumbed to it in 2008.

“Every woman is at risk of developing ovarian cancer,” said Jane MacNeil. “The campaign is critical as there is no conclusive early detection test, so knowing the subtle symptoms and risk factors can literally save a woman’s life.”

“If detected in its early stages, the success rate is 90 to 95 percent,” she added.

After the campaign started with 20 New Jersey towns, it has now spread to all 50 states, with towns, neighborhoods, businesses, places of worship, personal homes and other places “tealed,” survivors joining in and wanting to help educate the public.

“Additionally, those who have lost someone to ovarian cancer find it cathartic to continue to campaign in honor of their loved one,” MacNeil said. “We know for a fact that this campaign has saved women’s lives.”

For more information about the campaign visit www.turnthetownsteal.org.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.