Young Pine-Richland survivor joins fight against ovarian cancer

Desolina Postreich, an eighth grader at Pine-Richland Middle School, is a nine-year survivor of ovarian cancer.

On Sept. 22, she will travel to Texas to share her story at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Together in TEAL (Tell Every Amazing Lady) Run/Walk.

Diagnosed with Stage 1a juvenile granulosa cell tumor ovarian cancer shortly after her fifth birthday, Desolina today is an advocate for cancer research, awareness and fundraising. She heads the Pittsburgh Tealers fundraising team for Pittsburgh’s annual Together in TEAL Run/Walk, this year raising nearly $3,000 in advance of the walk, held Sept. 15.

“I want to raise money for ovarian cancer awareness, and I don’t want anyone to ever have to walk alone,” Desolina said about her involvement with Together in TEAL. Since 2016, she has raised more than $83,000 for ovarian cancer research.

Desolina and her family became friendly with both Melissa Aucoin, CEO of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Dr. Meredith Mitstifer, the board president, during the pandemic, when fundraising and advocacy events were held virtually.

As such a young survivor, Desolina has been nicknamed “Tiny Teal” by her friends at the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and was personally invited by the CEO to travel to Dallas.

Ovarian cancer is incredibly rare in children, accounting for only 1% of malignant tumors found in those under 17, according to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In girls younger than 8, four out of five ovarian tumors are found to be benign.

Desolina does not plan to stop her advocacy efforts after her trip to Dallas. In November, she will travel with her family to cheer on the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Team Teal participating in the New York City Marathon.

For more information about the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, visit ovarian.org.