HAMPDEN – Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common cancer among women and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.  One Hampden resident is running to raise money for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in honor of her mother and aunt, who have both passed from ovarian cancer.

Maureen Kelly Chesky, 33, of Hampden is registered to run for Team Teal in the New York City Marathon on November 5.  While this is Chesky’s first marathon, she’s not new to running.  When she was in high school she was a runner, and Chesky used to coach Cross Country at Wilbraham Monson and Academy (WMA).

In 1999 Chesky’s aunt Anne Darkazalli was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  A year later, Chesky’s mom, Jane Kelly, a former teacher at WMA, was out for a run and didn’t feel well.  Kelly went to the emergency room due to the pain she was in, and after a series of tests, Kelly was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

For five years, both sisters each fought their battles against cancer together.  Darkazalli passed away in February of 2004, and Kelly passed in April of 2005.

“It’s been a while, but I always think about them, my mother especially since I’m now a young mother.  They were both amazing, brave, and strong,” Chesky reminisced.

It was found that Darkazalli and Kelly both had the BRCA-1 gene mutation, which significantly increased their risk of developing ovarian cancer.

On Chesky’s Crowd Rise page, similar to a GoFundMe, she shares additional details of her mother and aunt.

“Just five days before my mom passed away, she was determined to cross the finish line in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in our local community raising money for cancer research.  I cannot imagine the pain she experienced, but when I look back at pictures from that event, I can see the pure determination and courage my mom possessed,” she wrote.

Chesky’s family will be attending the marathon with her and cheering for her on the sidelines. Though her Crowd Rise page has raised $5,515, which is $515 over her goal, Chesky is urging others to donate to the worthy cause.  For more information, go to https://www.crowdrise.com/nationalovariancancercoalitionnyc2017/fundraiser/maureenkelly-chesky.