 Thu, Aug 28, 2008 05:09 AM
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2008-03-07  Duluth | Searching for the cure through football
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| | by Scott Sowers | |  |
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| (SPECIAL/www.gwinnettherald.com)
Ovarian Cancer Institute research scientist DeEtte Walker shows a tissue sample to Institute board member Ian Walker and Georgia Force placekicker Carlos Martinez. Martinez has started “Kicking for the Cure,” a charity organization meant to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer research at the Institute. (click for larger version) |
March 14, 2008 | 11:01 AM
DULUTH – Place kicks will mean more than just points on the board for the Georgia Force this season. They will also mean money in the bank for research on ovarian cancer. Force kicker Carlos Martinez has paired up with the Atlanta-based Ovarian Cancer Institute to unveil "Kicking for the Cure," where he will personally put up $25 for every field goal and $10 for every extra point he scores this season.
But Martinez isn't the only one pledging to help the OCI. Fans are also encouraged to make donations and team owner Arthur Blank has vowed to personally donate twice the amount of the proceeds generated by Martinez and fans.
"An extended family member of mine was diagnosed with this disease in early November," said Martinez. "So I did research on it and wanted to do a fundraiser. I contacted the Institute and we set up Kicking for the Cure."
Ovarian cancer can sometimes prove a tricky condition to pinpoint because of the nature of the symptoms.
"This disease is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms can mask themselves as something else," said OCI director Libby King. "By the time most people are diagnosed they are at stage 3 or 4, which gives them a less than 25 percent chance to live for five years.
"If they are diagnosed at stage 1 they have a 90 percent chance. That's why early detection is so important."
King said that the most common symptoms are gastrointestinal problems, shortness of breath, pain in the side and bloating. The disease affects approximately one in every 57 women and is most common in Eastern European women of Jewish descent.
If diagnosed at stage 3 or 4, the cancer has most likely spread to other parts of the body and could require up to several years of chemotherapy.
Martinez has been with the Georgia Force since the last seven weeks of the 2007 season after being released by the Dallas Cowboys. His career long field goal is 59 yards, but he said that he tries not to think of this fundraiser while he's out on the field.
"I just go out there and try to do my job. I hope the offense can score a lot of touchdowns so I can kick extra points, and if they want me to try a field goal, well, that's fine, too," he said.
Fans can help out the cause by purchasing t-shirts and bracelets at the fundraiser booth at each home game at the Arena at Gwinnett Center. Each shirt will cost $10 while the teal silicone bracelets will come with a $1 donation.
"Right now we're planning three to four events this season where fans can come out and help the cause. My teammates have been very supportive of my efforts with this," the kicker said.
The former All American kicker in college toured the facility last week to see what sort of research they are doing.
Based at Georgia Tech, the OCI has been working since 1999 doing research on ways to find methods for earlier detection. Dr. Benedict Benigno is one of the most reknowned gynecological oncologists in the country and has been working with Dr. John McDonald, the chief research scientist at the Institute, to help find a cure.
The OCI is working with top research facilities around the country to find earlier testing methods and better treatment options for patients.
After extracting a tumor from a patient, it is flash frozen and taken to the OCI. From there the cancerous cells are removed to be studied.
"Each extraction costs $1,000, so Carlos' donations will certainly help," said King. "Every extraction we do helps us get one step closer to the cure."
For more information on the Ovarian Cancer Institute, visit their Web site at www.ovariancancerinstitute.org.
- www.gwinnettherald.com
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