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Delaney and Kari Vickers at the Save the O's 5K. It was their first 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Former Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation president and current board member Johnny Johnson shows the ovarian cancer car tag. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Runners take off at the start of the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Runners at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Overall men's winner Gideon Waithera crosses the finish line at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Doug Sweet finishes the Save the O's 5K without shoes after suffering from severe blisters. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Jackson McCarthy and Madeline Haikala cross the finish line together at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Doug Sweet finishes the Save the O's 5K without shoes after suffering from severe blisters. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Rachel Paul is all smiles as she finishes the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Katelyn McInerney, Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation executive director Jenny McInerney, Foundation president Jennifer Johnson and her daughter Charlotte Benedict. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Fletcher Huey finishes the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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A four-legged runner at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Teresa Moran celebrates her finish at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Shelby Sox and Sarah Chamberlain cheer on their friend during the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Chip Vice, Pamela Chandler, Stacie Jackson, Todd Chamberlain, Mary Vice and Laura Grills gather after the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Gena Pond and Susan Cook at the Save the O's 5K on Aug. 27. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Bithinny McKee and Amy Mitchell at the Save the O's 5K. Both wear shirts for Amy's mother, who passed away from ovarian cancer. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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A group of runners representing 9 Round 30-minute kickboxing at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Karen Moore and her son Connor Moore at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
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Clark Stewart and her dad, David Allen, at the Save the O's 5K.
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Hayden Hawkins and her dad, Allen Hawkins, at the Save the O's 5K. Photo by Lexi Coon.
One of the first things you read on the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation website is “Making a difference for mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.” On Aug. 27, the Foundation held its 12th annual Save the O’s 5k in an effort to make that difference.
The race, which took place in the Greystone Golf and Country Club, is designed to raise money for ovarian cancer research and to recognize those who have fought against the illness.
“My first wife, Laura Johnson, died in 2004 so we started [the Save the O’s 5k] in her honor,” said former president and current board member Johnny Johnson. “All of the money this year goes to the Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation.”
The NLOCF was formed after Lori Livingston lost her mother, Norma, to ovarian cancer. According to their website, she was “diagnosed too late, with the chances of survival slim.” Upon realizing that many other women shared a similar story to her mother's, Lori created the NLOCF in 2004 with a mission to “raise funds for ovarian cancer research and to increase awareness about the risks, symptoms and treatments of this disease.”
This year’s race featured a silent auction that included many locally donated items, such as luxury vacations, autographed footballs and a group beer tasting, as well as 350 participants. On the men’s side, the top three overall finishers were Gideon Waithera in a time of 19:31.20; Blake Childers in 21:41.50; and Tommy Payson in 21:59.2. The top three women’s finishers were Callie Covington in 25:06.9; Sarah Calcatera in 25:43.2; and Beth Bailey in 26:35.1.
Last year’s race raised a total of $40,000, but this year, organizers hoped to raise at least that much, if not more, to donate to the Foundation for ovarian cancer research.
“I absolutely love [this event],” said Todd Makofski, Fitness Director of Greystone Golf and Country Club and event volunteer. “We’ve all got mothers, daughters, sisters, and you never know if something like this could happen to them.”
One of the easiest ways to support ovarian cancer research is to purchase an ovarian cancer car tag from your local DMV, the proceeds of which go to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. To read more on the Normal Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation, visit nlovca.org.
