Arena Ball Player Gives Cancer Research a Kick

Carlos Martinez has taken to the fields to bring people awareness of a deadly disease that will claim the lives of an estimated 40,000 women this year.

Martinez is a kicker for the Georgia Force Arena Football team and last summer, while the rest of his teammates were resting during the off-season, Martinez was watching a friend and family member battle stage three ovarian cancer.

“I saw what she went through and I found out that there is not a test for early detection,” he said.

Martinez was so touched by the battle his friend faced that he decided to educated himself. He toured the Ovarian Cancer Institute (OCI), a non-profit research laboratory located on the campus at Georgia Tech, where he met with doctors and scientist researching tests and possible treatments.

“The testing, the research, it is all is very expensive. I realized that my money would be beneficial to research,” he said.

Martinez came up with an idea to use his job as a kicker to benefit the OCI. During the 2008 Georgia Force season, Martinez will personally make a $25 donation to OCI for every field goal he successfully makes and a $10 donation for every extra point scored. The money will be donated in honor of his friend who is battling ovarian cancer, and proceeds from his fundraising event will directly benefit OCI.

“I really feel strongly about this,” he said.

Martinez is concerned over the lack or research, test availability and funding of ovarian cancer rteatment.

“This money raised will go to every aspect of research,” said Martinez.

Martinez is impressed by the amount of work that the OCI has done.

“They are doing a lot of work there,” he said. “They have come a long way in their research.”

The Ovarian Cancer Institute is doing medical research on a potential blood test that would detect ovarian cancer strains through a prick of the finger. But tests like that is years away, and currently women must rely on the CA-125, a blood test that measures fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity. The test is expensive, is often not covered by the insurance policies of younger women and sometimes provides a false negative or positive result.

“Testing is expensive, that is one of the things the Ovarian Cancer Institute is working on more affordable testing and treatments,” he said.

During the “Kicking for the Cure” fundraiser, fans can buy an ovarian cancer bracelet, or “Kicking for the Cure” t-shirt with Martinez’s name and team number on the back. All of the proceeds from these sales go to OCI.

Martinez’s teammates have also gotten involved, making donations of their own.

“This is something that more men need to become aware of,” he said. “Males can catch signs and symptoms by staying aware and reminding wives and girlfriends to get checked.”

He points out that because symptoms are so vague a lot of women go undiagnosed.

“The symptoms are things like back pain and gas,” he said. “This isn’t something that a lot of women are going to get checked. That is why we all have to be aware.”

According to the OCI, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the U.S. This year an estimated 80,000 women will be diagnosed, and about half of them will not survive. Also, according to OCI there are no effective means of early detection, and only 25 percent of cases are diagnosed before the cancer has spread to the pelvic region
Martinez said that during his time touring the facility he met with several families affected by ovarian cancer, and saw several children.

“I looked across the table at these girls and I hope they don’t face this when they grow up,” he said

The Georgia Force season began on March 1 and will continue through June 21.

“This isn’t a one day event, this is going to last all season,” he said.

For each dollar raised, Georgia Force team owner and Atlanta philanthropist, Arthur Blank, will match the funds.

“This is all about getting people aware and getting people to donate, there is more money to raise,” Martinez said.

Dr. John McDonald, chief research scientist at the Ovarian Cancer Institute, said that the Institute is grateful for Martinez’s efforts.

“We are grateful for his enthusiasm in helping us create awareness and assisting us in raising funds that are critical for continued research," said McDonald. "Ovarian cancer affects everyone - not just the victim - and Martinez's fundraising mission makes a bold statement that it's not just a women's disease. It affects all of us.”

To learn more about the Georgia Force and to view a season schedule visit www.ovariancancerinstitute.org.

“We appreciate it so much what Martinez is doing to help spread awareness of this ‘silent killer’ that is taking the lives of too many mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters and friends,” said Liz Bartling of the OCI.