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SIMONE EICHENBERGER
February 4, 1953 – July 4, 2006
The Ovarian Cancer Orange County Alliance lost one of its
strongest and most beloved board members on July 4th. Simone
Eichenberger, 53, was a founding member of OCOCA and its first
recording secretary. She also served as OCOCA’s historian from
the time the organization was founded in 2003. Her strong
commitment to educating the public about ovarian cancer inspired
those around her, and her tireless work on behalf of the cause
helped power the goals and achievements of the Alliance. She was
instrumental in organizing the first “Night of Magic” fundraiser
for the Alliance, helping the newly formed organization to
establish itself. It was Simone’s thoughtful suggestion that
blankets be included this year with the Comfort Bags that OCOCA
distributes to women in treatment during September Awareness
Month.
Not only did Simone work to help raise ovarian cancer awareness,
she enlisted the help of her entire family in doing so. Husband,
Bernard, daughter, Melissa, and son, Kurt, were totally involved
in OCOCA fundraisers, health fairs and other awareness events.
She even brought along her sisters to help out when they were in
town visiting.
Simone, a Career Center Coordinator with the Santa Ana Unified
School District, was diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer in
late summer, 2002. She continued working after surgery and
through many cycles of chemotherapy, fighting the disease every
step of the way. For a short time, it seemed that she might be
winning the battle, but in January, 2004, the cancer was found
to have metastasized to her liver, and once again, Simone found
herself on a roller coaster of treatments.
Sadly, her brave battle ended on July 4th. Like the fireworks
that light up the sky and dazzle us with their brilliance and
beauty, then disappear long before we’re ready to let them go, –
we’ll always remember Simone.
2007 ©
Orange County
Alliance, All Rights Reserved.
Photography ©
Merle Tabor Stern
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