Robyn Schreiber was 31 when she lost her life to a very rare and aggressive subtype of Ovarian cancer, Small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT). She was diagnosed in December 2016 and fought until her passing on October 16th, 2017, while receiving hospice care at The Gosnell House in Scarborough, ME. She had been surrounded by friends, family, cats, and so much love, right through to the very end of her battle. Small cell carcinoma of the ovary of hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), is a rare disease with fewer than 300 cases reported (as of 2015 publication) in the literature. SCCOHT primarily affects young adult and pediatric patients with ages at diagnosis ranging from 5 – 49 years, median age 30 years old. It is often found in very late stages with no advanced warning or symptoms resulting in very poor prognosis after discovery. Robyn was determined to be happy and to live her life the way she always had: with grace, kindness, humor and love. She participated in a clinical trial in NY which was determined unsuccessful after only a few months. She had some rough days and weeks, but she powered through. Robyn event went back to work during chemo, played softball games, cannonballed into a pond (over and over) and had a very “Robyn” summer- which we are all grateful for. Summer came to an end and the cancer came back, ferociously, with the fall. Robyn was a warrior: strong, courageous and resolute. She knew what she faced, and knew she wanted to donate her body to science to continue research and stop this cancer from hurting anyone else. Her participation in the trial may not have helped Robyn, but she contributed and that will help other women. Her body was donated to MedCure, which helps those wanting to donate by connecting with the medical research communities. There are currently several clinical trials advancing research for the treatment and termination of ovarian cancer and a handful focusing on this subtype specifically. In honor of Robyn, and all she gave, we are asking for donations to The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance and the Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center, to support the continuation of their clinical research studies to identify, treat and, one fine day, defeat this, and all types of, cancer.
