Crispin Morrison took cancer battle to the end

Woman spent final years raising awareness of ovarian disease

Crispin Morrison touched dozens, hundreds, maybe even thousands of lives through her foundation. Some, no doubt, owe their lives to her.

The southwest resident passed away May 23, dying peacefully in her sleep after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 41.

She spent those years recovering from five major surgeries, undergoing weeks of radiation and energy-sapping chemotherapy. Morrison also used that time to benefit others.

Shocked by the lack of available information in Nevada, she founded the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Nevada in June of 2000.

The group held informational meetings with notable speakers, dropped off brochures at doctor's offices, manned an OCAN booth at area health fairs and gave care packages to those newly diagnosed. Morrison set up its Web site (www.ocan.org) and began a newsletter. Mostly, OCAN served as a support group.

"I am fighting for my life and the lives of all women," she once told a publication. "Every woman needs to know about ovarian cancer's risk factors and symptoms."

Morrison grew up in Boston, attended the University of North Carolina, Asheville, studied computer technology and got a job in Seattle in technical support.

It was there she was diagnosed with stage IIIc ovarian cancer and her life took a sudden turn into the unknown.

Her diary excerpts, which she allowed to be published at http://pathology2.jhu.edu/ovca, reveal the path she took.

"Summer 1999: I still feel sick all the time. My stomach is so bloated and I have no appetite at all. I'm really starting to worry that something is seriously wrong.

"This weekend, I never got out of bed; never even took a shower. All I can seem to manage to do is go to work and come home to crash. My friends don't even call anymore because I always say I'm too tired to do anything.

"Sept., 18, 1999: Oh My God. When I woke up this morning, I felt a lump in my pelvis, right side, about the size of an egg. Could it be a tumor or something?

"My gyn ... (is) sending me to a specialist called a gynecologic oncologist for an exam and a ct scan. Whatever it is, I'll take care of it and get right back to work. No problem.

"Sept. 20, 1999: The gynecologic oncologist said the ct scan showed I have a large tumor on each ovary. He looked very serious and somber. He said I have to have surgery right away, like, in the next week.

"Weeks later: I'm going to die. I am going to die. I have advanced ovarian cancer and I am going to die.

"What is happening to me? This can't be right! I have no cancer in my family! We are all so healthy! Damn it! What did I do wrong?

"I have so many things to do before I die. So many apologies to make, so many amends. What has my life meant up to now? Nothing. How am I ever going to make my life count?"

Using her computer savvy, she did extensive research, contacted notable physicians. She went on local television and radio shows, speaking about the symptoms, risk factors and facts regarding ovarian cancer.

Even in death she was out to help others. She donated her body to medical science.

On June 22, a memorial service was held at Summerlin Hospital. Most of those who attended were members of OCAN. Photo collages were displayed. There was Morrison with her dog, holding a relative's baby, gabbing with friends.

In some pictures she was bald from chemotherapy. In others she had brown hair, blue hair, blonde hair, pink. Friends spoke of her outrageous tastes, like her bright lime-green couch, playing Led Zeppelin at full volume and her catch phrase, "You look ma-velous, dahling." Others spoke of how grateful they were to Morrison.

"If it wasn't for OCAN, I might think I was the only one with this disease," said Claudia Cole. "Knowing other people were out there going through the same things made me feel uplifted."

Dina Albini, an 11-year survivor, said she promised Morrison that OCAN would move forward.

This Saturday, a tennis event called Players That Care is slated to be held at Club Sport in Green Valley. Serena Williams is the featured player. The event will raise money for ovarian cancer research. It will provide an opportunity to make a donation to OCAN.


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