Jennifer’s Story

I’m Jennifer, and I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in 2019.

Moments spent with my kids and grandkids really mean everything to me, especially since my diagnosis. Being a mom has always meant the world—but being a grandma is a whole new kind of joy. And I have such a blast with my grandkids, whether we’re at a T-ball game or doing crafts together.

Another huge part of my life is being an advocate with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, or the NOCC. I’ve hosted quarterly brunches for women on the South Side of Chicago, and made countless friends who feel like family.

Before my diagnosis, I was so used to being the one caring for everyone around me—but that changed in March of 2019.

I went to the doctor because I was having abdominal and back pain and urinating constantly. After a CT scan and blood work, I was told to go to the ER. My husband, Ron, dropped everything to go with me. The ER doctor reviewed my scans and said something that altered my life forever: “I’m sorry, but you have ovarian cancer.”

This all happened on a Friday. I had big plans for the weekend: A comedy show with the kids and a surprise party to celebrate my mom’s retirement. Ron stepped in right away to research doctors and treatments for me, and I was able to keep those plans. We shared both laughter and tears. My daughter, Courtney, and other family members helped me feel more like myself, even after such an overwhelming diagnosis.

Within 3 weeks, I received my first platinum chemotherapy treatment. Eventually I tried 2 more types of chemotherapy. During my third treatment, a CT scan revealed that my cancer had come back. My doctor explained that I had developed platinum resistance, which meant that platinum-based chemotherapy was no longer working for me.*

My doctor then did biomarker testing with tissue from a previous surgery to see what other treatments I was eligible for. I tested positive for a biomarker called FR alpha (FRα).^† After earlier treatments stopped working for me, my doctor recommended ELAHERE because it’s for people with FRα-positive, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Before I started ELAHERE, my doctor had me see an eye doctor. Since then, I saw them every other infusion for the first eight cycles, and as needed. I’ve also been taking steroid and lubricating eye drops. I’ve been on ELAHERE for almost a year, and I receive treatments every 3 weeks through an IV infusion. I did have a few eye-related side effects, but I’ve been able to manage them with my eye doctor.

To manage side effects related to ELAHERE, your doctor can change a dose, delay, or stop treatment.

Treatment with ELAHERE gave me another chance when I thought there were no other options after platinum resistance. Now I’m just focused on the good days. I’m not taking anything for granted.

I’m here, with the help of ELAHERE.

Here to watch my family keep growing.

Here to advocate for other women like me.

Here to share my story.^‡

*Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer means that the cancer came back or progressed within 6 months after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy, which contains a material called platinum.

^†Folate receptor alpha, or FR alpha (FRα), is a protein found on the surface of some types of cancer cells, including those in ovarian cancer. Your doctor may refer to it as a biomarker. Ask your doctor about FRα testing to see if you may be eligible for targeted treatment with ELAHERE.

^‡In a clinical study, median overall survival was 16.5 months for ELAHERE vs 12.7 months for traditional chemotherapy.

CT=computed tomography; ER=emergency room; IV=intravenous.