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Foundation party to give women a fighting chance

Turn the Tables III helps with the costs of battling ovarian cancer.

By Mary Jane Park
Published January 28, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Blending beautiful things and a good cause, a benefit today for the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation is just the sort of event Mrs. Mastry would have enjoyed.

The woman for whom the organization is named was a powerful influence on others, giving hours of her time and generous amounts of her money to many good causes.

In April 2001, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer. It had spread outside her abdomen to her lungs. Doctors told her they couldn't operate and expected her to live only six more months.

Celma Mastry died Jan. 23, 2004, but not before she and her eight children established the foundation, to help prevent, screen and treat ovarian cancer in the Tampa Bay area.

Its board members include family, friends and physicians who treated Mrs. Mastry.

Shirley Insoft is leading today's event. Turn the Tables III: Turn On the Music, Turn Off the Cancer features food and drink from many of the area's top restaurants and volunteers who are decorating nearly 30 themed tables.

"I know the tables will be gorgeous," said Claudette Carlan, one of Mrs. Mastry's daughters.

The entry table, titled Unforgettable after the Nat King Cole classic, has black and white photos of Mrs. Mastry and her husband, Gene, who died in 1991.

Food and beverages are donated. Sharon O'Gradney-Krkljus, who owns O'Bistro restaurant, coordinated menus and restaurants. John and Mary K. Wilson are providing musical entertainment.

The invitations are printed in teal, the signature color of the ovarian cancer ribbon campaign.

Through charity events such as the dinner and the Old Salts Ladies Inshore/Offshore Fishing Tournament, the foundation has raised money that has helped women who cannot afford treatment for ovarian cancer.

"It seems that women who are single or have been contributing to the support of their family are sometimes not able to work full loads, and then they can't come up with their deductibles," Carlan said. "Some of them work so hard. Their stress level is already over the top, and they're wondering how they're going to pay their bills. That's who we want to reach more than anything."

Foundation representatives lobbied federal lawmakers to pass "Johanna's Law," which would create a national education and awareness campaign about gynecological cancers.

Ovarian cancer often is called a silent killer because its symptoms often become evident only after it is in an advanced stage.

The foundation also encourages genetic testing for women who have family histories that include ovarian cancer.

IF YOU GO

Eat, drink, help

What: Turn the Tables III: Turn On the Music, Turn Off the Cancer benefits the Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

When: 6 p.m. today.

Where: St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave.

Details: Tickets are $150. Call (727) 543-1976 for information.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 18:35:41]