Passing of the Torch
Honor a loved one in our luminary park
Purchase a virtual luminary and place it in our on-line park to remember or honor someone you love.
Passing of the Torch 2012
Interested in hosting a Passing of the Torch event in 2012? Contact Lisa Schlager, VP of Community Affairs.
Passing of the Torch from Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to Breast Cancer Awareness Month®
Passing of the Torch highlights the hereditary link between
breast and ovarian cancer, honors cancer survivors and those at high risk,
remembers those whose lives have been lost to cancer, and recognizes families
that have been affected by cancer. A ceremonial flame is passed from an
ovarian cancer survivor to a breast cancer survivor marking the transition
from Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Read the moving story of the origin of the Passing of the Torch event from FORCE Executive Director, Sue Friedman, in her Thoughts From FORCE blog.
Upcoming Events
Philadelphia - Saturday, October 15, 2011, 4:00 p.m.
Join us to cheer on the Philadelphia Union and commemorate Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer months with an on-field FORCE Passing of the Torch Ceremony. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit FORCE. Hope to see you there.
Download our order form and get your tickets today.
Philadelphia - Friday, October 228, 2011, 7:30 am- 3:30 pm
Abramson Cancer Center's 2nd Facing the Risk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Conference and Passing of the Torch Event. Hilton Hotel, City Avenue.
Event Recap - 2010 
Washington, DC - On September 29, the Washington, D.C. FORCE group teamed up with the Washington Nationals baseball team for a special Passing of the Torch ceremony at its last 2010 home game. FORCE member Carrie Fitzmaurice, a survivor of both breast and ovarian cancer, lit the master torches symbolizing the breast and ovarian cancer communities.Nadine Rubenstein carried the torch for the ovarian cancer community, and Cari Listach, wife of Nationals’ third base coach Pat Listach, was the torchbearer on behalf of the breast cancer community. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), a BRCA+ breast cancer survivor and committed supporter of the hereditary cancer community, attended the torch ceremony and threw the first pitch.
Cincinnati - On September 30, in front of a crowd of 17,558, the National League
Central Division Champion Cincinnati Reds hosted a pregame Passing of the Torch on the field. Ovarian cancer survivor Kathy Patton passed the torch to Pam Forbes, a breast 
cancer survivor and mother of Brandi Forbes, coordinator of our Cincinnati Outreach group. Coordinator Mary Orloff threw the first pitch, which was caught by coordinator Meg Morris. At the end of the 4th inning, 400 FORCE supporters held up teal, pink and white posters to forma giant ovarian/breast cancer awareness ribbon.
Morristown,NJ - On October 1, we passed the torch in Morristown, N.J. in the beautiful College of Saint Elizabeth performance theater. Ovarian cancer survivor Carole Fagella passed the torch to breast cancer survivor Robin Zarel. The program concluded with a processional led by the torchbearers to an informal reception and lighting of the honorary and memorial luminaries.
Luminaries line the walk at the College of Saint Elizabeth theater.
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