Editor's Note: This article was written and submitted by Andrew Coen.
An Ovarian Cancer survivor from Bellmore was recently honored at a Hofstra sporting event aimed at raising awareness about the deadly disease.
The Hofstra men’s and women’s soccer teams took part in a doubleheader that was held as part of Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day where fans were asked to wear pink and team to promote awareness. Prior to the Hofstra men’s soccer team taking the field against Drexel, Dr. Sheila Korn of Bellmore, a pediatrician at East Rockaway Pediatrics, was recognized for her fight against Ovarian Cancer.
Dr. Korn tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, which was something that has run in her family. Due to her BRCA1 status, a sonogram revealed a cyst in her right ovary and it turned out to be early ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is most often found at a later less curable stage. After recovering from surgery, Korn started chemotherapy in August of 2011, and was back at work by that October. Dr. Korn is currently cancer free and enjoying her life with her husband, Dr. Larry Korn and two children, Elana and Alex.
Dr. Korn’s pediatrician practice is affiliated with North Shore Long Island Jewish Health Systems, which is a partner in Hofstra’s new School of Medicine. The Bellmore resident said was thrilled that Hofstra decided to honor her for an event that promotes a cause so close to her heart and is hoping it creates further awareness about Ovarian Cancer.
“If it gets the word out it is a great thing,” she said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
