The Anne Rita Monahan Foundation’s 4th annual Tea For Teal event will raise money for ovarian cancer research.


The American Cancer Society projects that 22,280 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.

Statistically, 15,500 of them will die.

The Anne Rita Monahan (ARM) Foundation wants to change those numbers. The foundation is run entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to raising money for ovarian cancer research.

Anne Rita Monahan was an Arizona businesswoman. She began having physical pains in 1990 that was diagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and repeatedly misdiagnosed for more than a decade. In 2001, an obstetrician/gynecologist found tumors on both of her ovaries. Because of the delayed proper diagnosis, her cancer had spread. She started the foundation in 2007 with the hopes of simultaneously fighting the disease and spreading awareness. After a total hysterectomy, several rounds of chemotherapy and various other surgeries, Anne lost her battle with the ovarian cancer on May 13, 2009.

This September will mark ARM’s 5th anniversary and the 4th annual Tea for Teal event.

Tea for Teal is a two-part event that will be held on September 29 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale. The first part is tailored towards women, but men are welcome as well. It features a silent auction and raffle, pop-up shops, purse auction and networking opportunities. The event has raised more than $70,000 over the past three years, with a goal of reaching $100,000 to be donated to the Translational Genomics Research Institute. They hope to meet the goal this year.

Money is raised through the purchase of tickets to the event. And individual ticket costs $60. A table for 10 costs $500.

Anne Rita Monahan FoundationIn addition to ticket purchases, Stella & Dot will be in attendance, donating 100 percent of its proceeds back to the foundation.

Part two of the event is a full-service English tea during which an outstanding ovarian cancer crusader will be acknowledged.

The Anne Rita Monahan Crusader Award recognizes a person who has made exceptional contributions towards cancer awareness.

Anne Rita Monahan Foundation“Are they a crusader? What have they done? [We look at] the breadth of what they have done,” says Rachel Brockway, co-chair of ARM for the last four years.

In addition, ARM has started a scholarship program.

“With the approval of our foundation, we will be giving two scholarships: one undergraduate and one graduate. [They are] for students who are interested in a healthcare field, people who are specifically looking [into] ovarian research,” says Brockway, who has been involved in the foundation since its establishment.

Brockway hopes that the fundraisers and money donated will help raise awareness and promote research.

“It’s one of the most often misdiagnosed forms of cancer,” Brockway says. “Our mission is for ovarian cancer research and awareness so women know the symptoms of ovarian cancer. A lot of times when it is diagnosed it is caught in the later stages, which is why it is so deadly.”

For more information on the Anne Rita Monahan Foundation, Tea for Teal, the 2012 Crusader Award, and signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, visit anneritamonahan.org.