A woman has had her head shaved to help promote ovarian cancer awareness after her sister was stricken by the disease.

Patty-Ann Flood had her locks cut off to support Devoye Darrell and others hit by a condition dubbed “the silent killer.”

Ms Flood said she was inspired to launch a range of activities to highlight the illness after meeting several Bermuda residents with ovarian cancer.

Now she has helped found the Ovarian Cancer Awareness (OCA) campaign and started a range of fund-raising activities to help women hit by the disease.

“Our mission is to provide a wealth of information on ovarian cancer awareness to support women that need testing or treatment and to encourage our community to get intimately involved,” Ms Flood said.

The group have organised a September campaign — and are encouraging both women and men to wear teal — the campaign colour — to help raise funds.

Ms Flood said that three Island nail salons — Tai Home Spa, the Nail Bar and Orchid — had all agreed to donate up to $10 for women who visit to have their toenails painted teal — a deep blue green colour.

The group has also organised a cruise to help support Jenna Martin, who is battling the disease, with support from party boat the MV Longtail and caterers, Catering by Carlos.

Ms Flood added that, since Ms Darrell had been diagnosed in May last year, she had met Bermuda women aged between 16 and 81 who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The group, since it was founded a year ago, has also held a special forum including doctors, held a “Turn the Town Teal Denim Day” and held a fundraising luncheon.

“Knowledge is power — the campaign is not exclusive to women. Men can also get involved by donating and wearing teal in an effort to show their support,” Ms Flood said.

Ms Flood added Ms Darrell had been successfully treated in Boston, although she has to travel back to the Dana Farber Institute in Boston for regular check-ups.

She explained that she and her sister had met Bermudian woman Denise Richardson, who had been diagnosed with the same disease and was being treated at the same hospital in Boston.

“After talking, we decided that people needed to know about this ovarian cancer — this deadly disease that mimics other illnesses and therefore is usually misdiagnosed,” Ms Flood said.

She added that Ms Richardson had also been successfully treated, but, like Ms Darrell, needed to visit the US for check-ups.

Anyone who wants to get involved in the campaign should contact OCAbda@gmail.com or visit www.ovariancancerawareness.webs.com.