It can be challenging to remain positive when facing cancer but that is just what Darsha Ritchie aims to do – one day at a time. When diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in July 2022, Darsha began her healing journey by seeking out solutions and bringing the universe to her.

When she was first diagnosed, she quickly began searching for resources and looked to connect with other individuals who could provide knowledge, advice and support. Darsha understood that calling on others could open up to new understandings and opportunities. So rather than hiding her diagnosis, she and her loved ones spread the word and found a “village” of others willing to help however they could.

While searching for resources, she also came across MIOCA’s website. She found that the organization's “Shake Your Teal Feathers” West Michigan awareness event was weeks away and so she signed up to attend.

Being very recently diagnosed, it was an emotional experience for Darsha being immersed among others who had each been affected by ovarian cancer in some way. Seeing all those survivors wearing sashes to recognize and celebrate survivorship, at first she was not so sure about wearing one herself. With some encouragement from her partner Steve, she opened herself up to the experience and she and her loved ones enjoyed the event surrounded by others who understood well the roller coaster of emotions along an ovarian cancer journey. For Darsha, the event inspired an urge to pay back the experience she had with the teal community that gathered that day.

“I knew I wanted to pay it forward in some way and when the t-shirt contest came about, I knew that was the way.” said Darsha.

Always one to lean into her creativity and positivity, Darsha started thinking of what messaging she would want to share with her design. She woke up one day with just the phrase; “Live, laugh and love to find a cure.” After some time crafting the design and with a little help from her kids eager to help their mom spread her message, she submitted her design and waited for the results of the contest. Those came one morning as she was leaving her doctor’s office.

“I just was at my oncologist appointment and I was talking about how difficult it was for me to wear the survivor sash at the walk. It was very emotional for me to see others memorializing loved ones. Then I got the email of having the winning design. I guess I found a way to pay it forward!”

While it was an exciting surprise that Tuesday morning, it was not just by chance that her design was picked. All those that had rallied around her from the beginning of her diagnosis helped to champions her design. By voting, sharing and uplifting Darsha’s hopeful message, it was the community that she opened herself up to that helped her design win.

Now, Darsha is excited to use this as an opportunity to raise further awareness of ovarian cancer and give hope to others impacted by the disease.

“To see others, and to see myself even in this shirt will be awesome!” says Darsha.

We were so honored to have been able to offer shirts in Darsha's design. Shirt sales are now closed.