Commitment to Treatment
Anyone going through chemotherapy will most likely experience some radical changes to their normal routines. There is usually a loss of appetite that may lead to changes in diet, and an increased level of fatigue. OCO spoke to a survivor about her journey since diagnosis and gleaned from her a story of having some specific difficulties. OCO chose to give her several items to assist with those challenges. She said daily smoothies were the one thing that helped her stay nourished. She was able to keep them down and could receive healthy ingredients from their consumption.
Diet can affect a woman's outcomes while undergoing chemotherapy. A 2015 study found a relationship between low recent protein intake and cancer related fatigue and increased mortality existed. While physicians have not calculated the exact protein needs for a woman undergoing chemotherapy, we believe providing tasty smoothie recipes can assist women in increasing their protein intake. We will provide blenders and smoothie recipes to women. If there are women who face significant financial barriers to purchasing smoothie ingredients, we will provide a gift card to the grocery store of their choice.
Supporting women post-diagnosis is one of the most important aspects of our mission. Our organization plans to support Black women by providing additional information that may improve their experience while undergoing treatment which we believe will ultimately affect their ability to achieve remission. OCO aims to partner with healthcare facilities in Georgia to serve women with a recent diagnosis or in seek of a cancer support community while undergoing treatment.
There have also been outreach to churches. Plans are being made to collaborate with other organizations and women who are in need of support.
OCO will provide a blender to women we have identified as meeting our criteria for support. With access to a quality blender, they can create nourishing, digestible smoothies while going through treatment. OCO will research and provide a variety of nourishing smoothie recipe cards for convenience and accessibility. OCO will also provide gift cards for the purchase of healthy ingredients.
Each woman will receive an ovarian cancer journey journal. Most often, documenting experiences from diagnosis through treatment to remission is cathartic. Each journal is packed with information and has pages for personal entries detailing what is being experienced. Organizing medications, appointments, emotions, and positive quotes are also included.
