About OCAN

Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada

Saving Lives - With Involvement And Actions

About OCAN

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada is a nonprofit organization founded in June of 2000 by Crispin Morrison. Crispin was diagnosed in May of 1999 with stage IIIc ovarian cancer at age 37.

OCAN is a volunteer organization and no dues are required. OCAN's Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Board are comprised of dedicated men and women who volunteer their services. OCAN provides speakers, brochures, symptom cards and Patient Care Packages, free of charge to Nevada residents, on request.

About Crispin

Crispin Morrison, who lost her battle with cancer in 2003, was the founder of OCAN - Ovarian Cancer Awareness of Nevada.

The information that follows is reprinted from an article that appeared in the Summer 2001 issue of "WomensCare", a quarterly publication of the "St. Rose Dominican Hospital". Crispin was featured on the cover.

Women's Window
Our cover model, Crispin Morrison,
was the founder of OCAN -
the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada.
Crispin, a survivor of ovarian cancer,
set a goal of hiking every trail at Redrock
this year. Through her challenges, she
has maintained her commitment to an
active lifestyle.

Crispin, a 39-year old who has battled stage 4 ovarian cancer for more than two years, has had four surgeries including a hysterectomy and routinely undergoes chemotherapy. The cancer recently metastasized to her neck. Even still, Crispin's enthusiasm is enviable.

Crispin's Keys to Survival: Don't live by the statistics, discover your purpose or what you love to do, and experience the joy of helping others.

" This may sound very strange, but even though my prognosis may net be good, I don't regret that I have cancer. " says Crispin. " I used to live as if I had all the time in the world. Now I know my mission in this life; my role is to be a messenger. "

Crispin pours her energies into the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada, a non-profit organization she founded and funds through her own money as well as support from her family and community grants.

" I have found that the ultimate thing I can do in this life is to educate women about the most deadly gynecological cancer, its warning signs, and the importance of yearly exams. " she says.

" I am definitely not ready to leave this life, " Crispin adds. " But, the life I have is much richer now that I understand the potential I have to help other women. "

During her battle with ovarian cancer, Crispin had continued
to participate in sports, such as running and hiking, which
she believed were vital to her physical and emotional health.

Related Articles about Crispin: Crispin Morrison took cancer battle to the end
July 16, 2003 - Article in "The View", Henderson, NV

CRISPIN MORRISON: Shouting Out About a Silent Killer
September 2002 Cover Story in "Incredible People Magazine"

Group seeks to raise awareness of ovarian cancer
March 27, 2002 - Article in "The View", Henderson, NV

Crispin Morrison, Survivor
January 2002 "Women of Courage"

Johns Hopkins Personal Stories - Crispin Morrison
Johns Hopkins University - October 21, 2001

LIFE AND DEATH: Furtive Killer
"Ovarian cancer deadly because it is difficult to detect at early stage". Article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, September 10, 2001.

Ovarian cancer patient forms organization
to warn and inform women about deadly disease. Article in the Las Vegas Review Journal, September 10, 2001.

If you would like to receive more information on OCAN and their efforts, please read how on this page: Join OCAN. It is a free membership, with no dues or membership fees .

OCAN offers a "Ovarian Cancer Care Package" - free of charge, for Nevada residents. (Out of state residents: contact us on how we can supply one for you.) This package includes:

A video of an interview with 4 women who are dealing with ovarian cancer

A booklet about ovarian cancer

Brochures on local (Nevada) and national resources

A cancer survival tool box

And assorted documents

Our Board of Directors

The staff at OCAN is dedicated to improving the quality of life for ovarian cancer patients. Our goal is to save women's lives through education and awareness training.

President
- Liz Williams
Liz is a wife, mother, and long-time non-profit supporter. She spent four years helping Crispin ( OCAN's founder ) face the challenges of living and dying with cancer. Upon Crispin's death Liz managed OCAN while searching for a new Executive Director. Prior to OCAN, Liz founded a hospice thrift store which grew to serve a large community. During the time that Liz directed the thrift store, it netted over a million dollars for the hospice. Liz continues to be an active member and President of OCAN - working to help save Nevada women's lives.

Executive Director
- Christina Harris
Christina joined OCAN in 2003. She received her MBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to working in Las Vegas, she held various management level marketing and training positions at 3M, Marathon Equipment Company and Black Hills Corporation. Throughout her career she has volunteered or served on boards for mentorship programs, charitable women's organizations and humane societies. A native Texan, Christina moved to Las Vegas in 1999, when her husband was transferred with the Air Force to Nellis AFB. She is currently in London, England yet continues to work closely with OCAN via email, letters and telephone.

Director
- Denise Fowler
In October 2000, just six months after relocating to Las Vegas, Denise was diagnosed with ovarian and endometrial cancers. A long time advocate of women's health issues, she brings to OCAN 23 years of experience in public health programming, education and non-profit management and administration. Denise served as Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada. She's a native of North Carolina and was a sixteen-year resident of St. Louis, Missouri prior to moving to Las Vegas. Denise has been active in canine rescue and placement, Junior League of St. Louis, and various public health groups.

Treasurer
- Brenda Stout
Brenda is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Nevada and Florida. She received her degree from Florida International University in Accounting and International Finance and trained in public accounting at Ernst & Young, one of the "Big 5" accounting firms. Brenda worked as a consultant in public accounting for 15 years in Miami, assisting small businesses and charitable organizations to achieve their goals through tax planning, financial planning and not-for-profit regulatory compliance. Brenda has made her home in Las Vegas for the last six years and currently operates Mustang Accounting (and Financial Services).

Our Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Dimitrios Diamandidis, Medical Oncologist
Dimitrios T. Diamandidis, M.D., is Clinical Attending Physician at the Nevada Cancer Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a clinical Assistant Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada, School of Medicine. He received his MD degree at the Aristotelian University Medial School in Thessalonica, Greece, completed residency in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Theagenian Cancer Institute in Salonica, Greece. Dr. Diamandidis then moved to the United States and completed residencies and specialties in Nuclear Medicine with Radiation Oncology, internal Medicine, and Fellowship in Hematology/Medical Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Diamanidids is a member of the American Society of Nuclear Physicians and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He has published book chapters and abstracts on advanced ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and breast cancer. Dr. Diamansdidis is currently investigating clinical trials in breast cancer and lung cancer.

Dr. Robert Futoran, Gynecologic Oncologist
Dr. Futoran completed graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and received his medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine. His internship and residency were conducted at L.A. County/USC Medical Center, with post-residency training in Gynecologic Oncology at the Albert Soiland Cancer Foundation, Los Angeles Tumor Institute. Prior to joining the Women's Cancer Center, Dr. Futoran was in Private Practice in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Dr. Futoran's research activities include study in the areas of Endometrial Carcinoma and the Treatment of Benign Cervical Disease with Cryosurgery.

Dr. Nikolaos Touroutoglou, N.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.
Nikolaos Touroutoglou is Clinical Attending Physician at the Nevada Cancer Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a Clinical Assistant Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nevada, School of Medicine. Dr. Touroutoglou received his MD degree at Ludwig Maximilian University Medical School in Munich, Germany. He received his Ph.D. with Honors at the University of Munich. Dr. Touroutoglou completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at St. Luke's Hospital, Columbia University, New York, New York and completed his Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Touroutoglou is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology and American College of Physicians. He has published numerous book chapters and abstracts. Dr. Touroutoglou currently is the Director of the Clinical Research Department of Nevada Cancer Center.

Dr. Rakesh Nathu, Radiation Oncologist
Rakesh Nathu graduated with honors from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in 1994. He completed internship at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. His residency training in radiation oncology was completed at the University of Florida. While there, he served as Chief Resident and developed expertise in head and neck tumors, pediatric tumors.

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OCAN - 2827 Utica Circle - Las Vegas, NV 89146

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