Corinne Feller
MONTGOMERY – Corinne Feller was a senior at Valley Central High School when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ten months later, at age 18, she passed away in 1999.
Her family is keeping her memory alive as well as raising awareness of the disease through the memorial fund in her name created by her sister, Nicole Feller Lee. Corinne’s death was “the biggest loss of my life,” said Nicole.
Lee and her volunteer group will bring the national Turn the Towns Teal campaign to the Hudson Valley again this year, with teal ribbons tied on trees and lamp posts in 11 communities in Orange County as September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
This is what her sister would have wanted, said Nicole.
“I know that as the giving person that she was, she would want to prevent it for anybody else. Early diagnosis is the key to survival and I know that she would want me to be doing this in her memory. It was what she was all about,” Lee said. “She was always giving. She was about community service, very mature for a high school student to realize the importance of the environment, cared about animals, was always doing something to help the less fortunate. So, I do this in her memory.”
Kathy Colquhoun of Monroe is a 20-year ovarian cancer survivor and is a part of the cause with Mrs. Lee to promote awareness of the devastating disease.
Classic symptoms of ovarian cancer are pelvic or abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating; vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets; frequent and/or urgency of urination; unexplained changes in bowel habits; unexplained weight gain/loss; ongoing unusual fatigue; back pain; menstrual changes; and pain during intimacy.
To participate in the Turn the Towns Teal campaign contact Mrs. Lee at 34nrlee@hvc.rr.com .
