On June 21, 2008, we lost our dear friend, beloved colleague and former Kaleidoscope of Hope president Gail MacNeil.  In her role as leader of the Sponsorship committee, Gail raised over $1,000,000.00 in the past eight years to fund past and present research programs at New York University, Hackensack University Medical Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Ohio State University, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and a four year Gynecology Oncology Fellow (the first in the state) at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. 

Last year, Gail initiated the successful “Turn The Towns Teal” campaign, which was the first major awareness effort of its kind for KOH.  At first, this started as a grass-roots teal ribbon tying event in Morris County, New Jersey. However, word quickly spread and people throughout the state joined in and turned their towns teal. 

Gail realized there was a critical and urgent need for more awareness and research dollars to fund programs to find an early detection test for ovarian cancer.  In addition, there was a need for an awareness/advocacy presence in New Jersey, especially given the fact that New Jersey has the third highest incidence of ovarian cancer.

It was Christmas 1997 when Gail was first diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer.  Since then, on a very personal level, both through phone contact and e-mail, Gail has given innumerable hours to help other women who are dealing with ovarian cancer.  Even when her condition had seriously deteriorated, she still was on the phone speaking to a woman who was recently diagnosed.  In past years, she participated in the Survivors Teaching Students program at UMDNJ in Newark, NJ.  Through the very successful Turn The Towns Teal awareness campaign, Gail mobilized our partners from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) as well as other ovarian cancer activists/survivors throughout the state of New Jersey to educate and raise awareness.

The idea for the Turn The Towns teal campaign came a few years ago when Gail was in the supermarket and noticed something on a package of Thomas’ English Muffins.  She picked up the package and, upon closer inspection, noticed a pink ribbon on it, the symbol for breast cancer awareness.  This caused her some frustration and anger. Yet, being one who never complained or whined, Gail instead used the experience as a turning point, one that set her on a whirlwind effort to make more people aware of teal as the color of ovarian cancer awareness. 

As the head of the Sponsorship committee for the past eight years, Gail also developed strong relationships with many large and small companies in the community, as well as individuals, many of whom have become long-time supporters of KOH and our mission.  Some of these partners include Coldwell Banker, Pfizer, Wyeth and Novartis Oncology, where last year, Gail was the keynote speaker at a “Lunch and Learn” event for employees. 

Gail exemplified and embodied the true meaning of hero, role model and leader.  She was an amazing life force who, even though on non-stop chemo for the past six years, continued to work full time as a realtor at Coldwell Banker as well as actively leading many initiatives at KOH.  She was an inspiration to all of us who have had the honor and pleasure of knowing and working with her, especially to all the cancer survivors and their families whose lives she’s so passionately touched over the past ten years. 

There is NO ONE who will ever come close to Gail as the supreme role model of courage, strength and bravery in so brilliantly facing the challenges of living with ovarian cancer.   She accomplished so much in her life and had much to be proud of as many of her accomplishments have become legacies.  Not many of us can say that.  Of course, the legacy that meant the most to her was her beloved family, the people closest to Gail who have done her proud and will continue to do so.  The other legacy is Kaleidoscope of Hope, and all of us at KOH who became part of her extended family. Gail built an amazing organization of dedicated, committed and compassionate friends who loved her and will continue to embrace her mission to conquer ovarian cancer.