We are honored to present our second named fund under the QMWFoH, the Jennifer Medley Ovarian Cancer Fund. Currently, this fund has raised $10,270 through the first annual Teal Out Unity volleyball game, and we are beyond honored that Coach Medley has joined our team in the fight against ovarian cancer. The 2 nd Teal Out game is
scheduled for September 16 th , 2024, and we hope to see you there, but before the big game, please get to know the indomitable Coach Medley a little better through her own words:

Jennifer Gooch Medley
17 th year teaching Physical Education and coaching at Unity School in Lincoln County, TN.

Hobbies: Coaching, camping, watching drag racing with Todd, hanging with my family, especially my nieces, Emma and Ella
Favorite Team: Atlanta Braves Baseball and Lady Lions Volleyball
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Fast Food: Chick-Fil-A
Favorite Movie: Tombstone
Favorite Singer: Alan Jackson
Favorite Quote: Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

In August 2022, I went for my yearly female exam/checkup. During the exam, my doctor felt an abnormality on the lower left side of my abdomen. Before I left, I knew I had a mass on my ovaries that was rather large. After labs and a couple scans, my bloodwork came back within normal range. At that time, I didn’t fear it was anything more than a mass needing to be removed. My first surgery was in October 2022. Surgery went well; however, they sent everything off for testing. The following week I was contacted by my OBGYN doctor and told that pathology reports were positive for cancer. After meeting with the oncologist on November 1, 2022, I was diagnosed with stage two ovarian cancer. The type I had was high grade serous carcinoma. This type spreads fast and my oncologist didn’t want to wait long. On November 14, I had my second surgery, a laparoscopic hysterectomy. This procedure was a success and my lymph nodes looked good but due to the fear of any residual cancer cells lingering, my oncologist suggested chemotherapy. I had one treatment every three weeks for a total of 6 treatments. It was a long process, but I am thankful to God for how he guided me through it. I finished up treatments and rang the bell (with over 400 of my favorite people at Unity School) in March 2023, praise the Lord! I received clean scans shortly after my last chemo. I now rotate exams and scans every 3 months for at least the next five years. I feel blessed the doctors found my cancer early. I am currently approaching the one-year mark of being cancer free. Through my journey I have learned so many things about the disease. My goal is to now spread awareness about ovarian cancer everywhere I go. In the blink of an eye, life can change as we know it. I am living proof of that. I was not aware of the signs or symptoms of ovarian cancer until I had it. In fact, most symptoms associated with OC are common throughout a woman’s everyday life. I have now joined forces with the Quatina M. Wolaver Foundation of Hope. In doing so, I have already been given an awesome opportunity to educate others and be a voice for those that were not as fortunate as myself. I want to use women’s athletics to fundraise in hopes of educating women and teenagers about the importance of yearly physicals and staying on top of their health. Early diagnosis is crucial with this disease! I want to
be there for women and families affected by ovarian cancer and help guide them through the unknown. I can’t explain the feelings and emotions one goes through when diagnosed with cancer. It is overwhelming. I had to learn to let go and put my trust in God and the medical team taking care of me. I was blessed to have a wonderful support system through my family and friends and I will forever be grateful for the way my co- workers, my players, and the Lincoln County community lifted me up. So many people played a huge role in my journey. I’m ready to use the platform that God has now given
me to inspire others in the same way. It wasn’t long ago that I personally received a care package from the Quatina M. Wolaver Foundation of Hope. I was amazed at the generosity and kindness they showed to a complete stranger. I now have the opportunity to give back through the very same foundation that supported me. I look
forward to raising awareness, funds, and lifting the spirits for all those affected by ovarian cancer.