The Cook County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 1 approved a resolution recognizing September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month after public testimony from survivors and physicians urging greater awareness and access to specialty care.

Commissioner Brigitte Degnan, Cook County Board of Commissioners, introduced the resolution, citing national statistics and the disease’s lethality. “The American Cancer Society estimates more than 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer and more than 12,000 deaths nationwide in 2025,” Degnan said during her remarks.

The resolution drew three public speakers. Debbie Shepherd, an ovarian cancer survivor and volunteer leader with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, told the board that early detection is difficult and urged public education on signs and symptoms. “When I first started developing symptoms before I was diagnosed, my belly swelled up like I was pregnant,” Shepherd said. She recounted an urgent-care visit where her symptoms were attributed to constipation before a later correct diagnosis.

Dr. Anita Lee, a gynecologic oncologist at the University of Chicago and a board member of the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, told commissioners that common screening tests do not detect ovarian cancer. “Pap smears do not test for ovarian cancer,” Dr. Lee said. She added that about 80% of cases present at a late stage and that genetic testing and access to specialists and clinical trials are key policy priorities.

Sherry (Cherie) Taylor, a survivor who said she tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation and was diagnosed at stage 3B after symptoms and an eventual referral to a gynecologic oncologist, recounted having an eight‑hour surgery and subsequent treatment. “I am a nine‑year ovarian cancer survivor,” Taylor said.

Discussion vs. decision: public testimony and the presentation of the resolution comprised the substantive discussion; the resolution was included on the meeting’s consent agenda and approved by voice vote as part of consent items.

Why it matters: speakers and the resolution emphasized that ovarian cancer has no reliable population screening test, often presents late, and shows racial disparities in stage at diagnosis and survival. The resolution encourages public education on symptoms and supports access to specialty care and genetic counseling.

The board invited the survivors and physician to join Commissioners for a photo following the presentation; no implementing policy or funding change was adopted at the meeting.