ORLANDO, Fla. — According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that 20,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2025, and more than 12,000 women are expected to die because of it.

Officials with the Southeast Chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition said each one of those numbers represent a person, a family and a community affected by ovarian cancer.

What You Need To Know

The Together in Teal walk at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs is coming up Saturday, Nov. 8  

Organizers say the goal is to raise $125,000 to support women fighting ovarian cancer and their families 

 One Orlando mom is encouraging women to go to the doctor if they suspect something might not be right 

Common signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or feeling full quickly, and feeling the need to urinate more often

There was a time when Orlando mother Meghan Nelson was part of those statistics. Because of that, she said she cherishes every moment with her 5-year-old daughter Quinn and 3-year-old son Ian.

Whether they are feeding the fish or flipping the pages of their favorite book, Nelson said she knows their time together is special.

When Nelson was growing up, her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“She was 39, which is the same age I was when I was diagnosed,” Nelson said.

When Nelson was 14, her mother died of ovarian cancer after fighting it for more than two years. 

“She was my best friend, and it definitely hit me the hardest,” Nelson said.

She said she is thankful for the time with her mom, but frightened about what could come.

“Anything that was wrong, I would go see a gynecologist,” Nelson said. “Thankfully, they would let me get an ultrasound. Even if I had to pay out of pocket, I just did it because I wanted to make sure.”

After her children were born, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 ovarian cancer. It’s been nearly three years since receiving that diagnosis, and she said the cancer is no longer detectable.

“I am 42 years old, an age my mom never got to,” Nelson said.

She said every day is a blessing and a chance to talk about her story.

“It is good to have people who understand you and know what you are going through and speak your language,” Nelson said. “And I am so glad that I found that community.”

Through the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), she has found a support system. Its main event — the Together in Teal walk around Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs — is coming up Saturday. And with her children by her side, Nelson said they will put on teal-colored shirts and walk together at the annual event.

The goal is to raise $125,000 to support free services for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and their caregivers.

“It is so hard to detect, and so women have to be their own best advocate, and they have to know their bodies,” said Nikki Coppola, the NOCC Southeast regional manager. “They need to know their genetics and their family history.”

That same message is one that Nelson wants everyone to hear loud and clear.

“Know your body,” she said. “If something feels off, go and get it checked out.”