I love Maureen McCormick (Marcia Brady). You should have her on your show. She just released an incredable book.

Hi Ellen
I was so moved by your show with Christina Applegate...She is a wonderful advocate for us BRCA1/2 carriers. However with such a focus on the breast cancer aspect of this mutated gene, I feel the ovarian cancer part of it is always overlooked. My twin sister had breast cancer when we were just 27, my Mother was 39..she is now 75! I spent the next 16 years feeling myself up on a daily basis lol with the fear of finding a lump. In the spring of 98 my sister was again diagnosed with Breast cancer in her other breast..we were devasted.. !! Well in the fall of the same year I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer the prognosis was grim....I was in shock, It was really never known that this gene also caused ovarian cancer. I was 44.. I had just finished college after being a stay at home Mom for 25 years..and started a new job in the lab at our local hospital..I was only seven days into my new found independence when I started to get sick..I guess God had a different plan for me.. and before I knew it I was right back in the kitchen!! So while my independence was short lived..oh how I miss those seven days!! I continue to fight this battle. I am coming up to my 10 year anniversary and I'm currently fighting my 7th recurrence..I am in a clinical trial right now, which is specific to the BRCA1/2 gene, so I'm quite excited about it. Not too sure if it is working yet, this is my 3rd attempt at chemo this year alone..while it is so incredibly taxing on my family I try desperately to stay positive and happy. I now have 2 beautiful grandaughters.. something I never, ever thought I would experience..yeah!!.. last month (Sept) was National Ovarian Cancer month..I really didn't see one mention of it on any TV shows..it was disappointing..because we need a cure too..there still isn't even a test for women for early detection. My daughter Hayley Verlyn had a fund raiser and a walk and raised 38,000 dollars. I'm so proud of her.. (you may have seen her, she has a TV show called Envy on the travel network.) While I realize that breast cancer is the # one issue with women we need them to also know the facts about ovarian cancer. I've been told that I have a 95% chance of getting Breast cancer in my lifetime. They will not do a prophylatic surgery.. I guess for obvious reasons..so Ellen, I would just like to tell Christina to tell women to listen to their bodies and pay attention to any changes. I know this is long and I said way more then I had intended..it feels good to write it down though.. Have a great day and I LOVE your show..you always lift my spirits, you are truly an inspiration to the world and even on my deepest darkest days you can bring a smile to my face..thank you for that!!

much love

Jacki Marchildon

I wanted to let Christina know that her coming forward with her breast cancer helped my daughter to make her first appointment for a mammogram. My daughter is the same age as Christina & I have been pushing for months for her to make an appointment. I am her mother & it is just nature to oppose your parent,so I was not getting anywhere. Thank you, Christina, for letting every young woman know that it is so important to be aware. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Take care & be well. Janet Robbins