About The Foundation
The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation was started in 2003 by family and friends of Celma to help other women who were also suffering with this "silent killer." Celma herself was not diagnosed until late in the disease although she had been seeking treatment as she knew something was wrong.
Celma was a talented leader in the community, gracefully chairing numerous non-profit committees that enhanced the entire Tampa Bay area, including the arts, medical and educational groups. Her leadership, gifts of time and talent, and generous financial support made her a community icon.
Her brave battle with ovarian cancer made her our heroine. Celma died in 2004. Her spirit lives on in our Mission Statement:
"To unite family, friends, and community to fight
ovarian cancer."
Celma is survived by eight children, a large extended family and many friends.
Our Goals
- Sponsor Research.
- Assist in the development of an early detection test, and in prevention.
- Educate the community.
- Offer financial assistance to patients in need.
Executive Board of Directors
Founding Chair
Celma N. Mastry*
Officers
Claudette M. Carlan*
Cheryl Guldenschuh
Dr. Micheal G. Mastry*
Constantine E. "Tino" Mastry*
Lisa Alfonso
Joann Barger
Alan Barrier
Michael Bowdish
Robert Bowen*
Sue Brett
Kevin Carlan
Carole Cowan
David Desper, M.D.
Julie Mastry*
James LaPolla, M.D.*
Adib Mastry*
Celma L. Mastry*
Melanie Mastry
Richard Mastry*
David Moran
Alice Roess
Candy Scherer*
Melissa Sharpsteen†
Lara Shelton
Edie Spies
Rosalie Tamney*
*Founding Member
†Survivor
Associate Board of Directors
Julie DiOrio
Shirley Insoft*
Rich Knipe, MD*
Mark LaPrade
Jane Morse-Swett*
Barbara Paonessa*
Jeff Paonessa, MD*
Linda Switzer*
Luann Wagner
*Founding member
Governance Committee
Contact Chair Claudette M. Carlan at (863) 381-2034 or via email at ccarlan@cmocf.org
Friends of the Foundation
Contact organizing chair Joann Barger at (727) 822-7571 or via email at jeb116_@hotmail.com
Development Committee
Contact Carole Cowan at (727) 898-6820 or via email at jcowan2@tampabay.rr.com
Planning Committee
Contact chair David Moran at (727) 512-4412 or via email at dcmnole@gmail.com
Medical Advisory Committee
Contact Claudette M. Carlan at (863) 381-2034 or via email at ccarlan@cmocf.org
Finance/Audit/Ethics Committee
Contact Tino Mastry at (727) 522-9471 or via email at tmastry@mastry.com
Verification by Guidestar.org
Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation is a registered member ofGuidestar.org. GuideStar's mission is to "revolutionize philanthropy and nonprofit practice by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving." - Guidestar.org
Current Accomplishments
Our Foundation has funded over $195,000 in projects by Dr. James LaPolla of the Women's Cancer Center at Bayfront Medical Center, Dr. Rebecca Sutphen of Moffitt Cancer Center, and sponsored a paper written by Dr. Todd Boren. We have given over $250,000 to numerous individuals to assist them financially as they struggle to overcome cancer and still pay their bills.
CMOCF joined FOCAS, Florida Ovarian Cancer Alliances Speak, whose mission is to unite Florida groups to fight ovarian cancer.
CMOCF co-sponsors with Ovacome USA, Inc. Bags of Hope Project providing bags filled with information and resources to newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients.
Our fundamental objective is to support efforts for early detection, when ovarian cancer is treatable. Our goals are to prompt legislative action, share information, raise awareness, promote education and share resources.
In 2008, we recognized an outstanding volunteer as the first recipient of the Celma Mastry Award of Excellence for Volunteers. Honored was Sharon O'Gradney of O'Bistro Restaurant. Sharon had given greatly of her time and resources to promote "Turn the Table" events that generated significant fundraising for the Foundation. Sharon organized many different restaurants and planned the menus for wonderful evenings of food and fun. Our heartfelt thanks to Sharon for her help, and congratulations!
Congratulations to the 2nd Recipient of the Celma Mastry Award of Excellence for Volunteers, Carole Cowan. Carole was co-chairman of the Fashion Gala and she too is an outstanding volunteer as she spends a great deal of time sitting with patients during chemo. She truly is a wonderful asset to this Foundation.
Future Plans
We plan to continue financially assisting patients, funding research and promoting awareness of ovarian cancer.
