LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a Derby week tradition, 150 breast and ovarian cancer survivors and patients will walk the track at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 3, for the 16th annual Oaks Survivors Parade. 

What You Need To Know

  •  The Oaks Survivors Parade will honor breast and ovarian cancer survivors

  •  150 patients and survivors will walk the track for the annual Oaks tradition

  • Helen Overfield will be walking in the parade this year after she was diagnosed with cancer in late 2022
  • Overfield is now in remission

Hats Off by Helen owner Helen Overfield has been going to the Kentucky Derby and related festivities for years.

“My husband used to be in the bourbon industry and clients would come in town. We would entertain people and they didn’t realize you have to buy a hat. That’s part of the whole experience,” Overfield said. “I would lend them one of mine or I would buy naked ones and embellish them and give them as gifts.”

After her girls went to college, she started Hats Off by Helen as a legitimate business. In doing so, she gets a lot of questions from people who have never been to the Kentucky Derby before.

“Actually, I think I’ve become a Louisville ambassador and a Kentucky Derby ambassador. I should be on Churchill Downs’ payroll. I’m just kidding, but they don’t realize you need to have comfortable shoes like wedges or flats. The stiletto heels will be ruined by the bricks and cobblestone. Your feet will be killing you,” Overfield said.

Even though she is a Derby Week pro there is one tradition she never imagined herself taking part in. After being diagnosed with cancer in late 2022, this year she will be one of the women participating in the Oaks Survivors Parade.

“I was very honored when Norton called and asked if I would like to and that they had expanded it to other cancers besides breast. I’ve had so many friends and family pass from breast cancer. I’ve made so many pink hats either donating them for various causes or giving a discount for people who were walking in that parade. Never did I ever think I’d be walking in that parade. I’m very honored, but I know it’ll be humbling,” Overfield said.

She is now in remission, with a bell on display in her home symbolizing closing a difficult chapter. However, she recalls her road to recovery.

“I had a complete hysterectomy a month after my diagnosis. That was a hard month because I didn’t know if it was Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 and my daughter was getting married in June and we thought, should we move the wedding up to maybe Valentine’s Day? We had no idea. I found out after the hysterectomy, when they do the biopsy and all of that, that it was Stage 1, which was wonderful, but it was Grade 3, which means it could grow faster if it does reoccur. I did chemotherapy.”

She recalls how difficult that time was, but how much support from her family meant during her journey. One of Overfield’s daughters, who works at Norton, was by her side at every appointment.

“She was so valuable coming to every appointment being an oncology nurse. I have another daughter who is an ER physician, so she knew the medical and technical parts. My other daughter we call her the Chief Hospitality Officer. I had my chief medical officer and my chief nursing officer. She was my chief hospitality officer bringing meals and my grandson to cheer me up,” Overfield said.

While this time of year is always so busy for her business, she’s happy to be here and healthy to experience another Derby season with loved ones.

While many people wear pink to the track to support breast cancer, there will also be some women wearing teal for ovarian cancer.

Dr. Monica Vetter, a gynecological oncologist at Norton Healthcare, said the parade always means so much.

“Cancer touches everybody. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, even if you’re not a cancer doctor. I think just to get these women together is so beautiful and such a wonderful reflection of all their hard work they’ve been through,” Vetter said.

Ovarian cancer is sometimes referred to as a silent disease since a lot of signs and symptoms are quite subtle. They include:

  • Persistent pelvic pin
  • Changes in bowel or bladder habits
  • New onset of naseau or vomiting
  • Swelling in the abdomen
  • Changes in how pants fit
  • Feeling full after a few bites

If you experience some of those symptoms, Vetter suggests seeing your primary care doctor or OBGYN for evaluation and testing.

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