Towns Turn Teal for Cancer Awareness, Remembering Victims

Mendham and Chester are glimmering with teal ribbons this month, and it’s for a tremendous cause.

The annual Turn The Towns Teal campaign to create awareness for ovarian cancer has come to the area, which wraps teal ribbons and bows around trees, mailboxes, lamp posts and other easily-seen objects. The visuals are just part of a campaign inspired by Chatham resident, the late Gail MacNeil, according to the organization.

“In addition to our ribbons, which are biodegradable and made in the USA, our volunteers distribute symptom cards to health clubs, YMCAs, libraries, beauty/nail salons, etc.,” said Jane MacNeil, President of the Turn The Towns Teal campaign.

The national campaign is now in its seventh year and has volunteers in 38 states, the organization said.

More information on ovarian cancer and the Turn The Towns Teal campaign can be found at turnthetownsteal.org.

“The enthusiasm for this awareness campaign just continues to grow,” MacNeil said. “Turn The Towns Teal is giving ovarian cancer survivors a voice that they’ve never had. Additionally, many of our volunteers have lost a loved one to the disease, and with our campaign they now can do something proactive in memory of their loved one.”