Dr. Chanda Moseley Walton was typically healthy, with her primary care physician consistently delivering positive health reports. However, following the birth of her last child in 2010, we observed that her belly area never quite returned to its former flatness. Despite noticing this change, I chose not to voice concern, embracing it as just another aspect of Chanda to cherish. Yet, by late 2020, we became alarmed as her stomach appeared fuller than usual despite her efforts to lose weight. In 2021, after neglecting our health during the COVID-19 pandemic, I urged us to take a vacation from DC to undergo thorough check-ups with our former physicians in Thousand Oaks, California. However, our optimism was shattered when, amidst celebrating our 17th anniversary on our home's deck, we received a series of urgent calls from California. We chose to answer the final call, only to be met with an excitable doctor urging us to find a quiet place to speak. It was then, in the intimacy of our bathroom, that the severity of the diagnosis was explained to us. Chanda was urged to immediately check herself into the hospital for further observation. We were devastated. It marked the worst day of my life.

Despite Chanda's diligence in undergoing regular health exams, we found ourselves confronted with a devasting diagnosis. Stage IV Ovarian Cancer.  Our journey from that point was daunting, challenging, empowering, yet ultimately tragic. Chanda was diligent about getting all her exams.

Had she been aware that she should be screened for Ovarian Cancer (CA-125), she would have definitely done it. Unfortunately, by the time we received our diagnosis, it seemed we were already too late to stop it. The reality is this diagnosis is deadly, with no cure in sight, and the funding for research and treatments is inadequate. We must do more to ensure that our story does not become your story.

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