Alex Feldt Memorial Fund
In loving memory of STAAR founder, Alexandra Feldt, 1986-2020
Alex was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer nearly four years ago. She fought everyday with every fiber of her being, but in the end, her body had other plans. Alex passed away on September 17, 2020 at the age of 34. She'll be forever remembered as an incredibly kind and compassionate individual. She was quick to smile, laugh, and love, with an uncanny generosity of spirit. Alex made those she met feel special, feel seen, feel listened to. She was dorky and weird and cool—preternaturally, only ever, her unique self. She loved Depeche Mode and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and she had this natural suspicion of things that too many other people liked. She was exquisitely introverted, yet she fostered this magnificent community of family and friends. She became a vegetarian at age seven and was a proud vegan for the past 12 years. She loved animals, and her compassion and empathy extended to humans as well. She loved to entertain and was amazing at creating delectable vegan feasts. She loved board games and escape rooms. She loved winter and the snow. And, more than anything, she loved her family, especially her middle school sweetheart turned husband, Devin, and their beagle, Fred. Albeit too short, Alex's life was well-lived. She left an impression on all those whose paths she came across and she'll forever be remembered as one special woman. Read Devin's tribute.
STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation is a non-profit co-founded early this year by Alex and two other women in their 30s with low-grade serous ovarian cancer. STAAR exists to fund life-saving research for women with low-grade serous, a rare and severely underfunded subtype. Low-grade represents fewer than 8% of cases of ovarian cancer. Having a rare form of an already rare cancer (1 in 78 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer vs. 1 in 8 with breast cancer) means that private donations are critical to fund research. More research means more time for adventures, more holidays, and more memory making.
Each year, 22K American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 14K will die. The five-year survival rate hangs at 47%... half of that of breast cancer. With no early detection test, 60% of women are diagnosed in stage 3. Embed the symptoms in your memory... you never know when you or a woman you love may need to know them.
Thanks in advance for your support!
For more information on ovarian cancer, visit OCRA. For additional details on low-grade serous carcinoma, visit Cure Our Ovarian Cancer.