our progress in baby steps. But hopefully we are working in the right direction,” he says. As she navigates her treatment, Beth is exercising and eating well to help with the healing process. “I want to get well. I don’t want to stay in this state,” she explains. “I look at my body as a garden and I want it to grow well. I have to feed it, fertilize it, weed it, rest and get out and get some sunshine.” Cancer hasn’t stopped her. “From the beginning, I said, ‘I’ll do it, but I want to be in a position to help people.’” Beth started a nonprofit, She ROCKS Research Ovarian Cancer Knowledge Support, in May 2014. Seventy-five per-cent of funds raised go to the University of North Carolina Lineberger Research Center to help fund research for ovarian cancer. There is no screening test specifically for ovarian cancer. Twenty-five percent of the funds are invested locally to provide knowledge and support. The first project, with a $10,000 gift, is to redo the patient guides at Zimmer Cancer Center. “We formed She ROCKS to help people behind us,” Beth explains. “If someone does something good, I always say, ‘You rock!’” The first fundraising luncheon in September sold out in only a few weeks. The Zimmer Cancer Center treats about 25 to 30 ovarian cancers a year. Fifty to 70 percent of the diagnoses are in an advanced stage. Nationally, there are about 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer each year. Only about half of women with ovarian cancer are treated by gynecologic oncologists, due to lack of access to subspecialists. “We know that when patients are treated by GYN oncologists they have better outcomes,” Dr. Gajewski says. There are only about 1,000 fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologists in the country. Zimmer has two, Dr. Gajewski and Dr. Lucybeth Nieves. “For this size community to have two is pretty amazing,” Gajewski says. Beth’s team of doctors says she is very inspiring. “The opportunity to know people like her makes our job fun, even in a difficult diagnosis,” Dr. Tinsley says. Back in the exam room at Zimmer Cancer Center, Dr. Gajewski heads out so Beth can begin her chemotherapy. She stands, gives him a hug and says, “Thanks Dr. G. You ROCK!” www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com “I look at my body as a garden and I want it to grow well. I have to feed it, fertilize it, weed it, rest and get out and get some sunshine.” 31 WBM Mary Barto, left, and Beth Quinn in Beth’s home August 11, 2014. PHOTO BY ALLISON POTTER
2014-9
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