History
History
The foundation was started in Jan. 2004 in Birmingham, Alabama. It was founded by Lori J. Livingston who lost her mother, Norma on October 29, 1992 after a short battle with Ovarian Cancer. Norma Livingston was a healthy, active 65 year old that had never been sick except for colds and flu. A retired Occupational Therapist, who was very proactive about her health and went yearly for Gyn exams and mammograms. It wasn't until she went to her internist after complaining of weight gain, bloated, full stomach, chronic cough and heavy chest that action was taken. After a chest x-ray revealed fluid on her lungs, they extracted some fluid and it was full cancer. Diagnosed at Stage 4, she endured 9 hours of surgery, countless chemos and experimental drugs. Thirteen months later she died peacefully and thanking her three daughters for being the best things in her life.
Norma was born in New York City to Russian/Polish immigrants. She was a dancer, a model, a wife, a mother and a friend to everyone she met, Norma graduated from NYU with an occupational therapy degree and worked in that field for many years. Married, divorced and mother of three girls her life was full and busy. She volunteered for many years raising money for Cancer Research for Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, New Jersey. She walked many close friends through cancer treatment, wig purchasing and holding their hands in their final stage of life. She was a wonderful mother who was always there for her daughters. Our relationship went beyond mother/daughter. She was our best friend. She is missed everyday of our lives and I now spend my hours telling my girls about the wonderful grandmother they never met.
One of our founding members, Mary Gifford past away this fall and she left $50,000 in her estate to be donated to The Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Mary was loved by many and a good friend to all of us. She will be greatly missed and the foundation will carry on her wishes for research in the areas of cures and early detection. Due to Mary's kindness, more funds will be available to donate this year.