TV: Tony Nominee Valisia LeKae Raises Ovarian Cancer Awareness in Mount Sinai PSA

A 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the Mount Sinai Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment program aired for the first time Thursday, May 1, on the iconic Toshiba Vision LED signboards in the heart of Times Square, New York City. The PSA will continue to broadcast every six minutes, 24-hours per day through May 15th. David Fishman, MD, Director and Founder of the Mount Sinai Ovarian Cancer Risk Assessment Program, Valisia LeKae, Broadway actress and ovarian cancer survivor and Toshiba executives unveiled the PSA with a countdown. BroadwayWorld brings you the powerful PSA below.

"With Toshiba's help, we will create more awareness about ovarian cancer which will hopefully result in saving lives," says Dr. Fishman, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science and gynecological oncologist at The Mount Sinai Hospital. "We are very excited to see our important message on one of the biggest screens in the world and I'm extremely grateful to my very talented patient, Valisia LeKae, a Tony and Grammy nominated actress and singer for sharing her story. "

Ovarian Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in American women. Approximately 22,000 women are diagnosed annually and 14,000 die from the disease. "Every day that passes without a cure for ovarian cancer means the suffering and death of countless women," said Dr. Fishman. "Valisia is one of the lucky ones and she is a fighter."

The Mount Sinai Hospital leads an international clinical and scientific effort to identify new screening methods for the early detection of epithelial ovarian cancer in asymptomatic high-risk women. The hallmark of the program is the coordinated, multidisciplinary services provided to each patient with a comprehensive clinic visit including evaluations by board certified specialists in cancer genetics, gynecologic oncology, ultrasound, and psychology. Participants receive a consultation with a board certified genetic counselor that reviews the family history of cancer in detail and provides an estimate of the likelihood of hereditary susceptibility. Women who participate in the program return every six months for follow-up, but remain with their own gynecologists for routine care. As a state-of-the-art clinical research program, the program, has achieved international recognition for scientific insights regarding the genetics, biology and mechanisms of ovarian cancer.