In fact, the clock face will glow the green-blue hue all month to help raise awareness  of ovarian cancer.

Appeal for Teal will be held on Thursday, February 19, at Jackson’s & Co to highlight awareness of the women’s cancer.

It has been organised by the Giving Gold for Lou Foundation in memory of Ballarat resident Lou Quinn, who was admitted to the Royal Women’s Hospital on May 1, 2013, complaining of mild abdominal pain and fatigue but died 12 days later of ovarian cancer. She was 33 years old. 

Ms Quinn’s mother Maggie said Appeal for Teal was “very dear to my heart”.

“We want to make people aware, we want to educate people and reach a bigger audience,” she said.

“We’re hoping men come too because they have to take care of the women they love as well.”

Guest speaker will be Royal Women’s Hospital oncologist Associate Professor Orla McNally, while the Fernwood Ballarat aerobics team will perform and owner Lee Squire will talk about women’s health.

“I hope Professor McNally will talk about the advances that are being made,” Ms Quinn said.

Family friend Dot Cherry said it was her “big dream” to see the town hall glowing teal.

“We need to be more open about ovarian cancer. We need to be aware of the signs and symptoms,” Ms Cherry said.

Event sponsor Sandy McKinnon, of Ink Digital Media, said although she hadn’t been touched by ovarian cancer, it was still a subject she was keen to promote.

“It’s all about awareness. Ovarian cancer is a sneaky killer because a lot of the symptoms can be explained by something else, such as bloating or being pre-menopausal,” Ms McKinnon said.

“The important thing is people know their own bodies and push their doctors for answers. 

“You need to question your doctor, not just take what he says.

“It’s more important than ever that women are responsible for their own healthcare.”

The four key ovarian cancer symptoms are abdominal or pelvic pain, persistent abdominal bloating, the need to urinate often or urgently and feeling full after eating a small  amount.

Annually, about 1400 Australian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and more than 1000 will die, as it has the lowest survival rate of any women’s cancer.

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au