MISSION & HISTORY

The mission of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) is to increase awareness and provide education about the risks, symptoms, and treatment of ovarian cancer – empowering individuals, families, and healthcare providers with knowledge that leads to earlier detection and improved outcomes for all communities.

The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA) was founded in 1998 by 13 survivors, driven by a shared commitment to support and educate women about ovarian cancer, a disease that remains difficult to detect in its early stages. GOCA’s mission, as it was at its inception, focuses on two key objectives: promoting early detection through widespread awareness of symptoms and risk factors, and providing support to survivors and families facing the challenges of ovarian cancer. GOCA offers essential resources such as patient support programs, community events, and survivor mentorship, fostering a strong network of solidarity throughout Georgia. Through initiatives like the Teal to Heal fashion show, various fundraising efforts, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. GOCA works to improve early detection and intervention that can make a life-saving difference.

Contact

Hashtags

#TealToHeal #GOCA #OvarianCancerAwareness #GAOvarianCancer

SPONSORS/PARTNERS

Participating Retailers

Alcohol Sponsors

Event Committee

Host - Jonathon Martin – 11Alive Anchor

Host

Jonathon Martin
11Alive Anchor

Special Guest - Elizabeth Perry - 2025 Miss Black USA

Special Guest

Elizabeth Perry
2025 Miss Black USA

Co-Chair – Sheena Virji – GOCA Board Member & Caregiver

Co-Chair

Sheena Virji
GOCA Board Member & Caregiver

Jessica Kollars - Survivor

Co-Chair

Jessica Kollars
Survivor

Models

Mary and Bob Bernier

Mary and Bob relocated in 1972, from Dudley Massachusetts to Atlanta where their children, Tim and Emily, were born and raised. Mary is a 30 year and two-time survivor of ovarian cancer and a founding member of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance. She loves her family and friends and is a proud grandmother of three. Bob is a retired commercial lender who loves golf and sports, go Dawgs. Upon retiring in 2013 they moved to Blairsville, Ga on Lake Nottely in the North Georgia Mountains where Bob is the proud captain of his pontoon boat. They are both active in the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at Saint Francis Catholic Church in Blairsville. They love living the mountain and lake life, which they feel has been their healing place.

Christina Hoang

Christina was diagnosed with Stage 2 germ-cell ovarian cancer in 2015 at just 25 years old. After two relapses, she discovered a genetic predisposition increasing her cancer risk. Believing strongly in the power of genetic testing and early detection, Christina advocates nationally for ovarian cancer funding through the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. Now marking a decade as a survivor, she’s grateful for the strength and sisterhood found within GOCA and beyond. Christina walks for her devoted mother and caregiver, for teal sisters’ past and present, and for herself —celebrating resilience after being bedridden and wheelchair bound enduring years of treatment and recovery.

Misty Stallo

Misty believes that GOCA is family and is an organization that is accepting and loving. A sisterhood that is here to support you. She believes with GOCA, you will make friends for life as she has. Her hope is that through her participation in Teal to Heal, it will inspire others to embrace the treatment process and never give up, regardless of the initial diagnosis. Diagnosed as a stage 3B ovarian cancer patient in 2014, Misty is now a warrior in 2025.

LaTanya Ingram

LaTanya recently joined the GOCA Board of Directors and is deeply committed to advancing awareness, early detection, and education around ovarian cancer. A technology and product management leader by profession, LaTanya is passionate about combining innovation and community impact. She leads volunteer and outreach efforts, uniting diverse groups in service and sisterhood. As a 9-year thrivor/warrior, participating in Teal to Heal is both a personal joy and a reflection of her belief that every story shared helps save lives.

Havyn Fraizer

Havyn is a junior Public Health major at Georgia State University with a passion for women’s and maternal health and advancing health equity. She first connected with GOCA when her mother, LaTanya Ingram, received a GOCA Bag of Hope during chemotherapy, a gesture that brought comfort and strength in a difficult time. Walking in Teal to Heal allows Havyn to honor that experience while merging her commitment to community service with advocacy for ovarian cancer awareness. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to support GOCA’s mission on the 2025 Teal to Heal runway.

Jessica Azzarelli

Jessica was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 and is happy to be a 13-year survivor. She works in social services and human resources while going to school for criminology and sociology. Her 13 nieces and nephews are her whole world and she enjoys crocheting, music, reading, and traveling. Jessica’s grandmother passed at a young age with ovarian cancer so her love of participating in GOCA events is in honor of her grandmother and every woman who has fought ovarian cancer. This organization means so much to her and she appreciates everything they do. She is honored to walk the runway in the Teal to Heal fashion show.

Debbie Azzarelli

Debbie is the mother of ovarian cancer survivor, Jessica Azzarelli. She has been married for 40 years with 4 children and several grandchildren. She works as a Life Enrichment Director in long-term care, and she enjoys crafts, gardening, traveling, and the Atlanta Braves. She is modeling to show support for her daughter and every ovarian cancer warrior.

Janice Webb

Janice is a recent September 30th, Government retiree after 39 years of federal service. She is currently purging and packing to relocate to Tennessee at the end of the year to start on the next chapter of life called “Retirement.” Janice was diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer in August 2011 during her regular woman wellness exam after complaints of abdomen pain. She is excited to be supporting this event with the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance and fellow survivors.

Chasity Mathis

Chasity is a three-time ovarian cancer survivor whose decade-long journey has fueled her passion for awareness and education. A proud member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc, she embodies sisterhood and service. Holding a Master’s in Business with a focus on Healthcare Administration from Kaplan University and a Bachelor’s in Homeland Security and Social Work from Savannah State University, Chasity inspires others through her resilience, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to empowering women and promoting early detection. She is one of the newest members of the board of directors of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance and is excited to support the Teal to Heal show again this year.

Brenda Tensley

Brenda is a proud Veteran, Master Cosmetologist, wife, mother, and loving “NeNe.” A graduate of Augusta Technical College, she followed her passion for beauty and managed Great Clips before starting an auto repair business with her husband. Raised in a large, close-knit family, she treasures time with family and friends. Her values strength, faith, and generosity are lessons passed down from her parents. Having cared for her loved ones through illness and loss, she continues to live with gratitude and compassion. Her desire to partake in the Teal to Heal Fashion Show is to walk in support of her daughter, Chasity Mathis, all ovarian cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Tammy Garrison

Tammy was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer in October 2020. She has experienced remission three times and is currently undergoing treatment again. After learning about the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance in 2021, she attended her first Shaken Not Stirred Gala and has been a devoted supporter ever since. Tammy is thrilled to model in the Teal to Heal Fashion Show to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, encourage women to recognize symptoms, and listen to their bodies.

Aprille Moore

Aprille is a dedicated law enforcement professional and community leader committed to service, empowerment, and advocacy. With almost two decades of public service, she currently serves as a Major over Training, Background and Recruitment. Beyond her professional role, Aprille serves as President of the Junior League of DeKalb County, where she focuses on developing women leaders and strengthening community partnerships. She also lends her expertise to several nonprofit boards, including the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Track Club and Families First. Passionate about empowering others, she continuously works to build safer and more connected communities across the metro Atlanta area.

LaShawn Martin

LaShawn is a dedicated advocate for the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance (GOCA), inspired by personal connections to loved ones affected by ovarian cancer. A committed volunteer for 20 years, she actively supports events including the Teal Tea, Health Fairs, Shaken, Not Stirred Gala, and Teal Trot, raising awareness and promoting early detection in her community. LaShawn believes in the power of community to drive meaningful change. Beyond GOCA, she serves through Little Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Order of the Eastern Star, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She participates tonight in honor of her late Soror Benita Osbey, inspired by the quote, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.”

Crystal VanDyke

Crystal is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Clark Atlanta University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work, respectively. She lives in the Atlanta/Riverdale area with her husband of 25 years Steven and their 7-month old “Morkie” named “Kali.” As a proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., service is near and dear to her heart. Which led her to participate with GOCA to help bring about awareness of ovarian cancer by volunteering at their annual fundraising events, particularly starting while being a member of her Sorority’s Physical & Mental Health Committee which honored the memory and life of one of our beloved Sorors, Benita Osbey, who succumbed to ovarian cancer.

Erika Farley-Jowers

Erika is a Georgia native and long-time Metro Atlanta resident who passionately advocates for cancer awareness in all forms. She has endured the loss of her mother, Nancy, at age 50, her sister, Zenna, at age 44, and her Soror and GOCA Board member, Benita Osbey, who dedicated her heart to raising ovarian cancer awareness. A three-time cancer survivor herself, Erika believes faith, strength, and community are essential on this difficult journey. Her radiant smile reflects her belief in God’s healing power. She participates tonight to celebrate survivors, honor those lost, and inspire others to keep fighting.

Casey Kloman

Casey was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017 at 37, having never even heard of the disease. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but despite joining online support groups, she often felt alone. After moving to Georgia, she saw an ad for the GOCA Teal Trot 5K and signed up. That September morning, she arrived to a sea of Teal and finally felt seen, surrounded by warriors who understood her journey. GOCA’s mission resonates deeply with her; from advocating for early detection to supporting newly diagnosed women and ensuring no one in Georgia faces ovarian cancer alone as she did eight years ago.

Laurie White

Laurie is excited about being part of the GOCA Teal to Heal fashion show, representing all survivors. She was born and raised in New York City and moved to Atlanta in 2020. She is a mom of three grown boys and grandma of two. In 2012, at 45, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon and ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, she was misdiagnosed for a year and the cancer spread from her colon to her uterus. She had a full hysterectomy; the tumor removed from her colon and endured 8 months of chemo. Laurie is so grateful for a life blessed beyond measure and to be here today.

Sharon Sigler

Sharon is a 33-year ovarian cancer survivor and proud thriver. A native Atlantan and UGA Grady School graduate, she enjoyed a 30+ year career as a radio advertising executive. A GOCA Board Member since 2015 and Co-Chair of the 2024 Teal to Heal Fashion Show, Sharon is passionate about advancing GOCA’s mission. Married to her late husband, Larry, for 43 years, she cherishes their miracle daughter, Lauren, who just turned 30, born after her diagnosis. With no screening or early detection test available even after 33 years, Sharon remains dedicated to raising awareness and education statewide. She is honored to model again this year.

Linda Heikkinen

Linda grew up in DeKalb County, is a Walker High School High School graduate, and currently resides in Marietta. She had a long successful career in financial services. She is an avid tennis player and captained several USTA teams while living in Michigan. The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance mission is important to her because when her sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 33 years ago, there were no preventative programs to educate the community about ovarian cancer and GOCA helps inform people of the risks and symptoms. She is honored to walk with her sister tonight in the fashion show.

Pam Harrison

Pam is a survivor of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei, which was diagnosed during exploratory surgery in September 2008. So, clinically, she did not have ovarian cancer but, benefited from Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) which in 2009 was considered an experimental treatment for ovarian cancer patients. Surgery and treatment were conducted by teams at Northside Hospital lead by Dr. Benedict Benigno, a pioneer in the use of HIPEC and founder of the Ovarian Cancer Institute at Georgia Tech. She is honored to walk the runway at Teal to Heal and feels privileged to support GOCA and the brave women by her side.

Bryan Ray

Bryan is excited to participate in the GOCA Teal to Heal Fashion Show for the first time. Twenty years ago, his life changed when he lost his high school sweetheart Jessica; wife, and mother of his children who were only three and five, to ovarian cancer at just 29. He knows his wife has looked over them and guided by her memory, Bryan is proud that their daughter, Savannah Ray-Lloret, now serves on the GOCA Board. A former board member himself, Bryan has supported GOCA for over two decades. He believes events like Teal to Heal raise vital awareness for early detection and is proud to walk alongside Savannah this year.

Savannah Ray-Lloret

Savannah is honored to participate in the Teal to Heal Fashion Show and serve her first year on the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance Board of Directors. A high school marketing teacher and DECA advisor, she is passionate about inspiring future leaders. GOCA holds deep meaning for her because when her mother passed away from ovarian cancer in 2005 the organization was there supporting her family during that difficult time. Today, Savannah raises awareness in her mother’s memory, hoping to help others recognize the signs early and spare families the same heartbreak. Her advocacy is both a tribute and a mission of love and hope.

Sheena Virji, Co-Chair, Caregiver, GOCA Board Member

Sheena’s fight against ovarian cancer began with her mother, Freda, whom she lost to the disease in 2016. With a strong family history of ovarian and breast cancer, Sheena became proactive about her own health, crediting her mother with saving her life. A passionate advocate for women’s health, she works to educate and empower others to take charge of their well-being. Sheena actively fundraises for GOCA’s Teal Trot 5K, serves on the GOCA Board of Directors, and returns this year to co-chair the 2025 Teal to Heal Fashion Show. In 2024, she was appointed to Samford University’s Advisory Board to further her mission of education, advocacy, and develop future leaders.

Jessica Kollars, Co-Chair, Survivor

Jessica’s journey has been one of resilience and courage. After losing her mother to breast cancer at 54, Jessica was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer at 44. Following a BRCA-positive result in 2018, she chose to undergo a complete bilateral mastectomy to improve her long-term outlook. Today, she proudly celebrates seven years cancer-free—grateful, strong, and determined to give back. A dedicated GOCA supporter, Jessica, has participated in the GOCA Teal Trot, Shaken Not Stirred Gala, and modeled in the 2024 Teal to Heal Fashion Show. This year, she is honored to serve as Co-Chair, creating a meaningful experience for all.

Kimberly Simmons-Emory, President Board of Directors, Survivor

Kimberly is an almost 20-year ovarian cancer survivor, adoptee, author of Pieces of Me: Perfectly Imperfect, and Board President of the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance. A retired professional and proud advocate, she uses her voice to educate, empower, and uplift communities facing cancer and life’s tougher chapters.

Elizabeth Perry, Miss Black USA

Elizabeth, along with being 2025 Miss Black USA, is a wife, Nurse Practitioner doctoral student, Albert Schweitzer Fellow, and community advocate. She is dedicated to driving positive change in advancing healthcare equity in minority communities by bridging gaps in access and resources. Her aim is to create lasting impact through progress, unity, and purposeful action, focusing on the “Y,” the why behind all we do.

Jonathan Martin, Host, 11Alive Anchor

Jonathan is an Emmy-nominated news anchor at 11Alive in Atlanta and a proud native of southwest Atlanta. After attending high school in Fairburn and graduating from Auburn University, he launched his journalism career in Augusta, then worked in Nashville, Houston, and as a national correspondent for Al Jazeera America before returning to Atlanta. In 2024, Jonathan received the Atlanta Press Club Award for Excellence in Television Reporting. Known for his consistent community presence, he regularly visits schools and emcees events throughout Metro Atlanta. In his free time, he enjoys working out, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Save the Date

Shaken, Not Stirred Gala

Saturday, March 7, 2026
Georgia Aquarium

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kimberly Simmons-Emory (President)

Ray Muhammad (Vice President)

Carolyn Hughes (Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator)

Njeri Boss

LaTanya Ingram

Kianta Key

Chasity Mathis

Savannah Ray-Lloret

Sharon Sigler

Roderick Smith

E. Richard Taylor

Sheena Virji

Tasha Walker