Last week a second friend died of ovarian cancer. About a decade ago, a close college friend died of this disease after a struggle of several years. Last Wednesday, Suzanne, the wife of my husband's cousin, died. She had first been diagnosed about 5 years ago, went through rigorous treatment and then into a strong remission. I last saw her about two years ago at a family reunion. She looked so beautiful and healthy then we were all fooled into thinking the cancer was gone for good even as we prayed that the remission would, in fact, be a cure. Within a few months, it was back, however, and it tenaciously gripped her ever since. Until last Wednesday.

Suzanne and I first met at a family reunion in South Dakota. We were both of "in-law" status and hit it off right away. I had a 1-year-old son and she had a 2-year-old son. We talked and played with these little guys while the others were off reminiscing. Two new and healthy young mothers.

Her husband started a blog when the cancer came back a second time. It's a story of love and pain and faith.

She asked that her memorials be given to either of two places, which I've listed here. Not that I think any readers of this blog should contribute money to the memorial of this woman that they didn't know, but it never hurts to know of two good organizations. The first are some people doing good research in ovarian cancer; the second is an orphanage in Guatemala.

Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research
1221 Madison Street
Suite 1401
Seattle, WA 98104
http://www.marsharivkin.org

Guatemala Children’s Mission (Agua Viva Children's Home)
PO Box 398
Spicer, MN 56288-0398
http://www.aguavivahome.org