Welcome to the SE Minnesota MOCA Chapter. We offer a support group for ovarian cancer survivors living in the Rochester area. Support group meetings are held at 5:30pm at Zumbro Lutheran Church, located at 624 3rd Ave. in Rochester. For more information, contact Delores “Jeff” Nordquist at Nordquist.Dolores@mayo.edu or Jean Wagner at 507-288-2228 or wagner.jean@mayo.edu.

In addition to the support group, we offer educational trainings and general outreach to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in southeastern Minnesota and work together to advance research for earlier detection methods, better treatment options and a cure. In this effort, MOCA recently exhibited at the Marching Toward Cancer Prevention conference in March 2008. We met many new survivors, people affected by ovarian cancer, and those who wanted to learn more about the disease and the early warning signs.

The Southeast Minnesota Chapter of MOCA is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Silent No More Marathon Swim to benefit the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance. The 2009 event is set for Saturday, March 14th at the Rochester Area Family Y (RAFY). The swim will be a 12-hour event beginning at 8:00am. Last year’s event involved nearly 100 volunteers and raised almost $12,000 for ovarian cancer research.

For 12 straight hours Mary E. Johnson, the gynecologic oncology chaplain at the Mayo Clinic, will swim, taking brief breaks for nutrition and hydration. She will be joined throughout the day by numerous other swimmers who will be joining the effort for a few minutes to a few hours. Johnson swam the two previous marathons and looks forward to the upcoming event. “The swim is really a media event to draw attention to ovarian cancer. It is also a great example of teamwork as people from all corners of the community come together for the cause.”

Upcoming Events

January 7, 2009 – SE MOCA Chapter support group meeting

March 11, 2009 – SE MOCA Chapter support group meeting

March 14, 2009 – 3rd Annual Silent No More Marathon Swim