FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2013
Jenn Sommermann
(516) 633-9464
50 X 50 X 100 CAMPAIGN
TRIATHLETE RACED ACROSS AMERICA TO SUPPORT EARLY DETECTION FOR
OVARIAN CANCER
Ovarian
Cancer Survivor Jenn Sommermann Finishes Final State of her Campaign
Freeport, New York - On Sunday, November 24, 2013, Sommermann completed the final state of her campaign by participating in the Lavaman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. Hawaii represented the 50th and final state since launching her 50 x 50 x 100 campaign in 2009. The athlete’s personal crusade was to compete in 50 triathlons in all 50 states by the time she is 50 years old, raising $100,000 for ovarian cancer research and educating women across the country about the disease. The entire effort took five years. Turning 50 in 2014, Sommermann completed all 50 states on schedule, raising awareness and over $107,000 to fight ovarian cancer on behalf of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). OCRF sponsors research aimed at finding a method of early detection and a cure for the disease dubbed the "silent killer" of women.
“Ovarian Cancer is an insidious killer, and without a known, reliable screening test, less than 20% of cases are caught before the disease has already spread,” said Sommermann.
Seven years ago, Sommermann herself was diagnosed with a stage-three ovarian tumor that presented only the slightest symptoms, but which had already spread. “When I noticed a mysterious weight gain and my clothes fitting tighter at my waist within a matter of a few weeks, I knew something wasn’t right. I wasted no time in consulting my physician, received the diagnosis and immediately scheduled surgery.” After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in early 2007, Sommermann was back to work and competing in triathlons eight weeks later with a new-found purpose; she would compete in events across the U.S. to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the crucial need for a means of early detection.
According to OCRF, “Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women. We are working hard to find better tests that can diagnose ovarian cancer earlier and more precisely.”
This season, Sommermann completed the final eight states to her line-up of races. “The campaign really gained momentum towards the end”, says Sommermann, who is encouraged that the message was successfully spread. “No one needs to die from this disease if it is caught early,” she adds. To follow Sommermann’s efforts and contribute to her fundraising efforts, please visit www.jennsommermann.blogspot.com.
This campaign was unique as it was fully self-funded. Sommermann paid her own travel expenses, entry fees and all costs associated with her events. In addition, in-kind donations (including competition entries and hotel stays) were turned into cash donations by Jenn in the name of the contributor. No other fundraiser approached a charity in the same way. Contributions are tax-deductible, and all funds raised through her efforts went 100% to fund ovarian cancer research.
“No donation is too small,” stressed Sommermann. “Lots of people don’t bother to make a contribution because they’re feeling the pinch of the economic downturn. My hope is that those considering making a donation aren’t dissuaded because they can’t afford a $25.00 or $50.00 contribution. I just love seeing those $5 and $10 donations coming in. And even though the five year triathlon effort is over, it is not too late to continue to make a donation.”
About Jenn Sommermann
A life-long athlete, Sommermann competed in her first triathlon at age 40 and discovered her passion for the sport. She has competed in all three Women’s Triathlon Series races in Washington, Illinois, and California as part of Team Hope, which raises funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), and was the single largest fund-raiser for the organization in 2008. A consultant in the finance and healthcare industry, Sommermann also teaches at Manhattan’s Swedish Institute and is a published author on subjects of marketing, business management and ethics for healthcare professionals. She is a “life coach” and former member of the Greater Nassau Chorus. In her spare time, Sommermann enjoys boating, kayaking and sailing. She and her husband live in Freeport, Long Island.
About OCRF
The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is the largest private funding agency supporting ovarian cancer research. Since 1998, OCRF has awarded over $51 million in grants for the purpose of finding a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. OCRF helps patients and their loved ones understand the disease and its treatment and provides outreach to raise public awareness. For more information, visit www.ocrf.org.
Freeport, New York - On Sunday, November 24, 2013, Sommermann completed the final state of her campaign by participating in the Lavaman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. Hawaii represented the 50th and final state since launching her 50 x 50 x 100 campaign in 2009. The athlete’s personal crusade was to compete in 50 triathlons in all 50 states by the time she is 50 years old, raising $100,000 for ovarian cancer research and educating women across the country about the disease. The entire effort took five years. Turning 50 in 2014, Sommermann completed all 50 states on schedule, raising awareness and over $107,000 to fight ovarian cancer on behalf of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). OCRF sponsors research aimed at finding a method of early detection and a cure for the disease dubbed the "silent killer" of women.
“Ovarian Cancer is an insidious killer, and without a known, reliable screening test, less than 20% of cases are caught before the disease has already spread,” said Sommermann.
Seven years ago, Sommermann herself was diagnosed with a stage-three ovarian tumor that presented only the slightest symptoms, but which had already spread. “When I noticed a mysterious weight gain and my clothes fitting tighter at my waist within a matter of a few weeks, I knew something wasn’t right. I wasted no time in consulting my physician, received the diagnosis and immediately scheduled surgery.” After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in early 2007, Sommermann was back to work and competing in triathlons eight weeks later with a new-found purpose; she would compete in events across the U.S. to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and the crucial need for a means of early detection.
According to OCRF, “Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women. We are working hard to find better tests that can diagnose ovarian cancer earlier and more precisely.”
This season, Sommermann completed the final eight states to her line-up of races. “The campaign really gained momentum towards the end”, says Sommermann, who is encouraged that the message was successfully spread. “No one needs to die from this disease if it is caught early,” she adds. To follow Sommermann’s efforts and contribute to her fundraising efforts, please visit www.jennsommermann.blogspot.com.
This campaign was unique as it was fully self-funded. Sommermann paid her own travel expenses, entry fees and all costs associated with her events. In addition, in-kind donations (including competition entries and hotel stays) were turned into cash donations by Jenn in the name of the contributor. No other fundraiser approached a charity in the same way. Contributions are tax-deductible, and all funds raised through her efforts went 100% to fund ovarian cancer research.
“No donation is too small,” stressed Sommermann. “Lots of people don’t bother to make a contribution because they’re feeling the pinch of the economic downturn. My hope is that those considering making a donation aren’t dissuaded because they can’t afford a $25.00 or $50.00 contribution. I just love seeing those $5 and $10 donations coming in. And even though the five year triathlon effort is over, it is not too late to continue to make a donation.”
About Jenn Sommermann
A life-long athlete, Sommermann competed in her first triathlon at age 40 and discovered her passion for the sport. She has competed in all three Women’s Triathlon Series races in Washington, Illinois, and California as part of Team Hope, which raises funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), and was the single largest fund-raiser for the organization in 2008. A consultant in the finance and healthcare industry, Sommermann also teaches at Manhattan’s Swedish Institute and is a published author on subjects of marketing, business management and ethics for healthcare professionals. She is a “life coach” and former member of the Greater Nassau Chorus. In her spare time, Sommermann enjoys boating, kayaking and sailing. She and her husband live in Freeport, Long Island.
About OCRF
The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund is the largest private funding agency supporting ovarian cancer research. Since 1998, OCRF has awarded over $51 million in grants for the purpose of finding a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. OCRF helps patients and their loved ones understand the disease and its treatment and provides outreach to raise public awareness. For more information, visit www.ocrf.org.
