MANAYUNK

Originally Published in Manayunk.com Magazine

By Joan Denenberg

They call ovarian cancer the cancer that whispers.  Known among the medical community as being difficult to detect and even harder to diagnose, it can often go ignored and undetected. In 2005 the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation, the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Manayunk Development Corporation and the owner of the famed Propper Brothers Furniture (now Propper View Apartments), Sam Kroungold, came together to dedicate a mural offering awareness and support to those afflicted with this deadly disease. The 69’ X 50’ mural, painted by local artist Ann Northrup, was the first wall painting to raise cancer awareness in the United States.

Now 10 years later all of the groups are coming back together on May 8 to rededicate the touching mural after it was restored this past summer after changes to the historic building. Ann led the restoration efforts and worked with a team of assistants to restore and touch-up the "Sandy's Dream" mural, as well as the sign atop the building. The rededication ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. and a moment of silence will be held in memory of all women lost and in honor of all women still fighting this disease. Performances will take place and light refreshments will be served.

The mural was the brainchild of the foundation’s founders – Robin Cohen and Adriana D’Alessandro who created The Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation as a tribute to D’Alessandro’s sister, Sandy Rollman who passed away from advanced ovarian cancer at age 33. For Cohen, who served as Rollman’s oncology nurse, and D’Alessandro, the foundation keeps Sandy’s memory alive while raising support and community consciousness for this fatal cancer.  For more information, visit sandyovarian.org.