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What if a woman could find order and calm in a sea of ovarian cancer options?

Imagine she knows a caring expert who is ready to help navigate toward her individual vision of optimal health and fulfillment. Working as a team, they’ll shape a plan based on her point of view, her lifestyle and her realities.

Susan Poorman Blackie Ovarian Cancer Foundation is collaborating with The Clearity Foundation to introduce Steps Through OC: a national, nonprofit system of coordinated resources for women with ovarian cancer, their families and caregivers. Professional ovarian cancer counselors will hold a 360° view of participants' needs, offering counseling and resources that are based in science, vetted by specialists, delivered thoughtfully and tailored to each unique situation.

Steps Through OC is led by experts in ovarian cancer science, treatment management, advocacy, counseling, oncology social work and psychology. SPB Foundation has provided seed funding for a pilot phase and additional funders are encouraged to get involved. Our goal is to support physical and emotional health so people feel, function and live well with OC.

  • About Susan Poorman Blackie Ovarian Cancer Foundation

    Our work is inspired by Susan’s belief in healing. The foundation’s funding is fully committed and we don’t accept proposals or letters of inquiry.

    Susan Poorman Blackie, Founder

    Board of Directors
    Buck Dodson, President and Executive Director
    Gary Blackie, Vice President
    Mindy White, Secretary
    Michael Harris, Treasurer
    Madeline Bunch

    Copyright © 2018 Susan Poorman Blackie Ovarian Cancer Foundation
    All rights reserved unless otherwise noted

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    info@spbocf.org
    206 South Second Street
    Richmond, TX 77469
    (800) 428-4682

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Susan's Story

Susan Poorman Blackie

“This was my plan. It was early February 2012 and my work on the Houston marathon Olympic Trials committee had finished. I was feeling proud of my accomplishments and was now ready to shift my focus to decorating our new home, traveling, and just playing for a while. What a lucky girl, I thought! I was on top of the world and almost giddy with excitement.

Two weeks later, on Valentine’s Day, my husband, Gary, and I were sitting in an oncologist’s office hearing the words “it appears you have ovarian cancer.” I recall saying, “seriously? Could you be wrong? I am fine. All I have is this little tummy that makes it hard to fit into my skinny jeans!” The next day, I was being examined by a gynecological surgeon from MD Anderson Cancer Center, and hearing “you are a classic case.” Apparently meaning I had vague symptoms that often look like those of other conditions. I kept trying to get the doctors to understand there must be a mistake. After all, I’d had a clear pap smear six months prior, a clear colonoscopy and normal blood work that year as well. And that’s when I discovered, after 61 years, that there is no test to detect OVC. So, here I was, physically fit, no other health issues, yet I had stage 3 ovarian cancer.

I looked at my daughter, stepdaughter, daughter-in-law AND all my girlfriends/sisters and said “there’s no way this can happen to them.” A test must be found.

This was certainly not my original plan. Yet life presents itself to us and we make of it what we will. The Susan Poorman Blackie Ovarian Cancer Foundation (or SPBOCF as we like to call it) was formed with every ounce of my passion and desire to make a difference in the ovarian cancer movement. I have no doubt we will succeed.”

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Susan died of ovarian cancer in 2014. Her passion, desire to make a difference, and belief in healing continue to inspire our work.

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