Health Riding for ovarian cancer awareness

Mission Viejo resident Candice Lopez described her late sister as vibrant, caring and, when times called for it, sassy.

"She worried about others before herself," Lopez said. "Everyone who came in contact with her loved her."

In October, Lopez lost her sister, Cindy Frey-McCurdy, after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was three weeks shy of her 42nd birthday.

Now Lopez, and her mother Patti, want to bring awareness to the very disease that took her sister's life. Mother and daughter are hosting Ovarian Cycle, a ride-a-thon, at Hard Core Fitness Studio in Lake Forest, April 29, hoping to raise funds and awareness for ovarian cancer.

Frey-McCurdy had just purchased a home with her fiance when she was diagnosed. What followed was a series of surgeries and the installment of a port to deliver che

motherapy and drug treatments.

"She had everything to live for," Candice Lopez said.

The Lopez' have made it a goal to spread awareness in hopes that more women will schedule doctor visits to get checked before it's too late.

Ovarian cancer is routinely referred to as "the silent killer" because many times there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, Candice Lopez said.

Or, in Frey-McCurdy's case, the symptoms present like those of the flu or other common ailments, Patti Lopez added.

"It's something people normally don't think to get tested for," Candice Lopez said. "Women don't listen to their bodies."

According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women.

The American Cancer Society estimates about 22,440 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer and about 14,080 women will die from the disease in 2017.

Funds raised through Ovarian Cycle will benefit OCRFA. Donations can be made at the event or online at support.ocrfa.org/ Irvine2017.

After her diagnosis, Frey-McCurdy did all she could to make others aware of the symptoms that led to her diagnosis. She encouraged women to get checked regularly.

Candice Lopez plans to continue Frey-McCurdy's mission.

"My sister had a huge heart and unbelievable courage and she was always concerned more with the well being of others," Candice Lopez posted on OC Mom Blog in January. "She inspired everyone she touched. ... Now her goal is my goal!"