Posted 05/17/2007

Cancer survivor organizing support and advocacy group for others in Columbia area

After battling cancer for the past six years, Olga Ogoussan says God’s not through with her yet. 

That was just one part of the message she shared with midday visitors to USC’s Russell House on Wednesday which was Livestrong Day as proclaimed by Mayor Bob Coble and Columbia City Council. 

Sporting a bright yellow tee shirt, the Arnold School doctoral candidate fielded questions, collected donations and handed out brochures as part of her volunteer work with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a cancer advocacy organization created by the world famous cyclist. 

Livestrong Day is the Armstrong Foundation’s grassroots initiative to unify people affected by cancer and raise awareness of cancer on a national level. 

After losing a breast to cancer in 2001, Ogoussan has continued her battle against the disease that has since returned twice to attack her lungs and brain.  Today she is in continuing treatment to keep the cancer at bay. 

Her spirit and good humor were evident in the Russell House lobby. “Here I am. A Stage Four Cancer survivor but you wouldn’t know it unless I told you,” she said, flashing a stunning smile. 

Ogoussan is working to establish “The Past Panic Organization,” a support and advocacy group for an increasing number of people like herself who have advanced cancer and still want to do something meaningful with the rest of their lives. 

“We’re not dead.  We have lives and we want to talk about it,” she said. 

Ogoussan, a physician and a native of Benin, West Africa, said she wants the Past Panic Organization to be a means whereby advanced cancer victims can meet and exchange information about the disease and the issues they face. 

Additionally she hopes the group can help provide financial aid for members who need it for treatment, transportation and other expenses. 

At the end of the day, Ogoussan emailed friends and supporters:

“I just want to let you know that the Livestrong day event went very well and thank each one of you for your prayers, donations, and support with this event. Even though it was break at USC, I got a bit of traffic at my table and had 48 signatures for the Livestrong petition to make cancer a national priority, raised $ 20.18 for the Lance Armstrong foundation.

“I cannot thank you enough for your support.

“God bless you.”

For more information on the Past Panic Organization, contact Ogoussan at oogoussan@gmail.com or 803-419-2231.