The First Person Health Project is a storytelling initiative designed to help individuals impacted by serious illness—particularly ovarian cancer—share their personal experiences in their own voices. Through guided interviews and professional audio storytelling support, participants are empowered to reflect on their journeys, connect with others, and create meaningful narratives that foster empathy, awareness, and community understanding.

A central goal of the project is to raise awareness about ovarian cancer symptoms, the importance of listening to one’s body, and the critical need for earlier detection. By elevating real patient and caregiver stories, the project seeks to educate others, reduce isolation, and encourage conversations that may help lead to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes.

The team is pioneering an innovative, story-driven endurance campaign that leverages the national platform of Race Across America to elevate ovarian cancer awareness, amplify real survivor voices, and drive earlier symptom recognition so more lives can be saved.

The grant to The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati supports a fully volunteer-run program that delivers 150 Comfort Care Tote bags annually through local oncology offices—providing newly diagnosed women with essential resources and sparking critical awareness and education at the moment of care.

The grantee attended the 2026 SGO Annual Meeting where she, on behalf of The Amy Krouse Rosenthal Foundation, presented research from the UNTOLD (UNderstanding The experience of Ovarian cancer – Life after Diagnosis) Study in collaboration with researchers at the University of Minnesota. The project highlights the importance of co-creating survivorship research with ovarian cancer survivors and patient advocates to ensure that critical quality-of-life issues—including sexual health, mental health, financial concerns, and supportive care needs—are fully represented. By elevating survivor voices and experiences, the UNTOLD Study aims to improve understanding of ovarian cancer survivorship and help drive more patient-centered interventions, awareness, and support resources.