Influencer Fundraises for Ovarian Cancer in Memory of Her Late Mother

When we last spoke to Lindsey Gurk, it was about how she is advocating for parental mental health, and helping families through her 'Pink Presents'. She’s back today because she’s using the month of September to fundraise in the memory of her late mother.

"My mom was a lovely woman. She had a lot of struggles throughout her life, but she dealt with them very gracefully,” explains Lindsey. "She battled stage four ovarian cancer for seven years, which the doctors said wasn’t possible. Her faith and strength were remarkable."

Throughout September, Lindsey is selling a brand new crewneck, ‘The Angela’, in memory of her mother, who sadly passed away when Lindsey was pregnant with her first child. 

"I felt like I couldn’t help my mom, and that weighed heavily on me after she passed,” admits Lindsey. "I wanted to release something to help provide assistance to families struggling with ovarian cancer. I’ve always had that in mind, and this year, it’s finally happening."

In 2017, Lindsey sold ‘Fight Like A Girl’ t-shirts raising funds for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), a brilliant charity leading the fight against ovarian cancer in the US. 

This year, proceeds from the sales of ‘The Angela’ throughout the month of September will be donated to the NOCC. Lindsey and her family are also making donations matching those proceeds. 

"It was my mom’s idea to give the proceeds to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition because she liked that they not only fund research but also support families in practical ways,” says Lindsey, of the original fundraiser. Choosing NOCC once again is a tribute to Lindsey’s mother; long after she is gone, she continues to have an impact on the world through her daughter.

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition doesn’t just support research into ovarian cancer, it also supports the patients and families who are in the thick of it right now - something that Lindsey values deeply - as did her mother. Through fundraisers like this one, they are able to support patients and families through counselling, care packages, education, and even financial assistance.

"I believe in giving privately, but there’s also purpose in showing by example what can be done," says Lindsey. "I hope this collaboration sheds light on cancer in general because it affects all of us in one way or another."

"It’s incredibly enjoyable to honour my mom’s memory through my work, even though the loss still feels fresh at times."

This is a deeply emotional fundraiser for Lindsey, but rather than holding her back, it is those feelings which seem to spur her on.

Just one day before shooting pictures of The Angela, Lindsey stumbled across some of her old Fight Like A Girl t-shirts from her previous fundraiser.

“It felt like ‘this is the right time’, you know? I'm not moving forward without due diligence and purpose and intentionality,” Lindsey says. “Seeing those t-shirts just made me feel like she she would approve of this, and that it's the right time.”

The fundraiser has been a huge success already - ‘The Angela’ sold out within one hour, and pre-orders have been opened multiple times. Lindsey’s followers are rallying around her and this incredible charity, in memory of her mother and of the thousands of other people lost to ovarian cancer each year.

Above all, Lindsey wants this fundraiser to remain positive. She lost her mother, and that is something that will never go away; but ultimately, she hopes that this is something that will make a positive impact, honouring loved ones, rather than dwelling on the grief alone.

"Hope is never lost, and good can come from pain and struggle,” Lindsey tells Smiley News. “I just want people to know they’re not alone, whether they’re struggling with cancer themselves or caring for a loved one."

"I just want to be a source of encouragement. Whether it’s through videos, events, or products, I want to uplift others who may be struggling."

You can purchase The Angela on the Get Your Pink Back website.

For more information on the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, you can visit their site here.

Charity Check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

Macmillan Cancer Support. They provide specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. Learn more here.

Cancer Research UK. This charity provides information for anyone affected by any kind of cancer. Support them here.

Maggie’s. Offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and the people important to them. Find out more here.

This article aligns with the UN SDGs Good Health and Wellbeing and Partnerships for the Goals.