John Magnan was a regular person, but when his wife, Mary, was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, he decided to portray what his family went through.

Magnan said the exhibit, “Body Image, Body Essence,” was inspired by his wife, Mary, but as he met more women with the same disease, the exhibit became inspired by all of the women.

“I realized that the message in my art is universal and represents the struggle of all women who have or had ovarian cancer,” Magnan said.

In one work, “Warrior,” the Magnans illustrate the struggles with chemotherapy and the courage that Mary eventually gained.

A head and torso bronze casting reveal Mary’s emaciated frame. After the art piece was completed, she realized how the head casting resembled a helmet and the torso a shield, both giving rise to Mary’s notion of finding symbolic strength, she said in the narration of the exhibit.

David Earwicker, assistant vice president of Research Administration and Contract Administration for Sacramento State, said the exhibit is about the experience of John and his wife Mary, but the exhibit is also about other things.

“This exhibit is also about partnership and collaboration, and by that I mean the coming together of two institutions dedicated to service in their community through health education and advancing the body of knowledge on cancer research,” Earwicker said.

Earwicker said Sac State and UC Davis have built a powerful and responsive platform for faculty, student and community interaction in order to address some very serious community health issues revolving around health disparities and cancer awareness.

Jane Langridge, vice-president of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, said along with John’s art, the goal of the NOCC is to increase the prevention of the disease.

“We have a grassroots network of 80 chapters throughout the United States, each distributing literature and putting on awareness events,” Langridge said.

Langridge said the problem with ovarian cancer is that it is often misdiagnosed, and by the time the disease is found, it is too late for the sick person.

“Seventy five percent of cases are diagnosed at a late stage. If diagnosed early, the disease is 90 percent curable. Women must know the signs and symptoms, know what tests to ask for, and work in partnership with their doctors,” Langridge said.

Women need to have a forum to talk about the disease because early prevention can save lives, Langridge said.

Gina Dayton is the Sacramento chapter president of the NOCC, and she survived ovarian cancer.

“I had severe abdominal pain and went to the doctor, and was diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer,” Dayton said. “My cancer is now in remission and I have been cancer free for three years.”

Magnan said ovarian cancer is a disease that does not only affect older women, it can strike women of any age.

“One in 57 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime, and most of them will be over 50 years of age, but there are instances of very young women with ovarian cancer,” Magnan said.

Analia Mendez, interim director of the Multi-Cultural Center, said the exhibit is important because making people aware of the disease is important, along with making the disease real. “It’s important to let women and men alike know what the symptoms are, and if there are any signs, women should be advised to seek professional medical help,” Mendez said.

Mendez said ovarian cancer has no boundaries, meaning that women of all races can be affected, and the more information that is put out, the better odds someone has to get informed and can recognize the disease early for early treatment.

Philip Malan can be reached at [email protected]