Made By Hand With Love, Bounty of Olive Orchard Supports Clearity

When you look at Sandy Winokur, you see a woman who has achieved her dream of maintaining a successful olive orchard. You see an artist and a world traveler. You also see an ovarian cancer survivor.

When Sandy learned about her disease, she was an active 69-year-old living in Texas. A shadow on an x-ray during a bout with pneumonia led to her diagnosis, when her physician informed her she had Stage 3 cancer, and might have 10 years to live. She was shocked and frightened, but her family helped support her in preparation to take on the big fight. In fact, it was her niece Rachel who pointed her towards the Clearity Foundation; a close friend of hers put her in touch with Dr. Laura Shawver, who recommended a physician at MD Anderson who would support Sandy in her effort to have her tumor profiled so she would be armed with the best information in the event of an recurrence. Sandy told this new doctor that she would not accept her diagnosis as a death sentence. He recommended a complete hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy, which Sandy fortunately tolerated with minimal side effects. Even losing her hair didn’t get this fighter down: she bought a short wig that matches the hairstyle of her terrier, Scruffy, and together the two make quite a pair.

Sandy was so thankful to the Clearity Foundation, she decided to put her investment in her dream of an olive orchard towards a fundraiser for the group that had helped battle her cancer. To honor Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Sandy will be donating 10% of her sales in September to the Clearity Foundation. She has already laid-out brochures and bracelets in her store, and plans to do even more next year. The next event she is currently planning will be held in the spring, and will probably be an evening event for about 200 people. She will take all that she has learned from her world travels and create a menu that will allow guests to sample flavors of different countries, including olive oil, wine, cheeses, food, and olives characteristic of each region. All the funds raised at this event will be donated to Clearity.

As for her future, Sandy feels strong and optimistic. Life is good and she embraces every single day. It is her hope that in the future better diagnostic techniques will be established so that women can be diagnosed and treated early. We wish her the best of luck in realizing all of her dreams, and if you happen to be in San Antonio, Texas, head on down to Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard for some fresh olives!