Sacramento native, and Alaska resident for nearly 40 years
Sacramento, Calif.- My one-year older sister, Mary Rita Godby Ely, modelled persistence in the face of adversity! She gave the world her very best! Even after her late-stage ovarian cancer diagnosis, 18 years ago, thriving was still her goal, not merely surviving.
Mary Rita would do whatever it took to stay alive, including extensive chemotherapy, and would counter the many side effects with Naturopathic Medicine and other natural treatments, such as acupuncture. Her attitude, and her very emphatic why to live, led to her embodiment of resilience. She loved life and fought courageously to be the healthiest possible version of herself, to be there for her 3 children, husband, brothers, and later, grandchildren. She would bear any burden of treatment to be able to continue: enjoying her many friendships around the world, mentoring former students, helping other Alaskan women to prevent gynecological cancers, working for a more socially just world where discrimination and prejudice were a thing of the past, and enjoying the outdoors at every possible opportunity, whether it be camping, backpacking, hiking, canoeing, or just lounging on their deck.
Although Mary Rita ultimately passed away on October 1, she has left a legacy of service. The Sacramento, California native, and Alaska resident for nearly 40 years, lived more passionately and completely in those 18 years with cancer, than most people do in a whole lifetime, despite the frequent and extreme side effect-laden chemotherapy. She never complained or wanted people to feel sorry for her. She was on a mission not only to personally survive and thrive, but to help as many women as she possibly could to prevent, and overcome, gynecological cancers. She made a huge difference and built relationships that were the real deal!
A few years after Mary Rita was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, because her previous lack of awareness of the signs and symptoms of gynecological cancers, she, and two others, started the non-profit organization, “Let Every Woman Know,” to raise awareness, about cancers “below the belt” and share information and save lives through local education of all Alaskans and to provide support for those living with gynecologic cancers, to be “aware, down there.”
Let Every Woman Know website says, Mary Rita is an Alaskan special educator and teacher consultant since moving to Anchorage with her husband, Craig, in 1985. Spending time with family is top priority and she will do just about anything to hang out with their 3 adult children and grandchildren. Recent family adventures include international travel, backpacking, hiking, time at their cabin, and exploring Alaska. Mary Rita was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer in 2006, at the age of 51, and has had multiple reoccurrences and a slew of treatments over the years. She is a founding member of L.E.W.K. and appreciates the opportunity to use her facilitation skills during L.E.W.K. GYN Survivor/Patient Retreats. Coordinating the Arts of Healing First Friday shows for L.E.W.K.’s annual Awareness Weekend is both a challenge and a highlight for her each year. Let Every Woman Know’s mission of promoting healthy lifestyles and the emphasis on using creativity and the arts in programming are a perfect match for her personal pursuits.
If you would like to contribute to Let Every Woman Know’s amazing mission, to help more women to prevent and overcome gynecological cancers, you can donate at the following link:
www.LetEveryWomanKnow.org/Donate
Joanie Mayer Hope, MD, Mary Rita’s Physician for 14 years
Dr. Joanie Mayer Hope, MD, her doctor in Alaska said: we lost a fighter, a teacher, a founder, a mother, an organizer, an inspirer, a truth teller, an adventurer, and a hope warrior. Mary Rita survived longer than any patient I have ever cared for with advanced recurrent ovarian cancer.
Mary Rita fought her cancer ferociously and courageously, but she also lived life absolutely fully. Ovarian cancer was part of who she was, but she was not defined by her cancer. Mary Rita, co-founded and lead Let Every Woman Know from its inception in 2012 to our most recent 2024 Climbathon, just weeks before she died. She showed up over and over again, giving her time, vision, compassion, sparkle and love to her fellow survivors. She facilitated life changing survivor retreats
Mary Rita knew how to bring her family close, share her vulnerability, while still protecting them ferociously.
Mary Rita saw TIME as the most precious resource we have. Time must not be taken for granted. Time should be spent on what really matters. Mary Rita used her time to live life with hope and joy and power. She used her time to travel, plan vacations, hear music, dance, talk with her husband, listen to her children, play with her grandchildren, watch SNL, enjoy friends, laugh at every opportunity, speak out when she disagreed, and yes to fight cancer.
Mary Rita was my HOPE WARRIOR and while the tears of grief are flowing, I know that we cannot let her death mean the loss of our hope or our fight or that would be doing her legacy a tremendous injustice.
She was able to live with hope and vitality even while facing her inevitable mortality.
May her music play on.”
Jason Harmon, ND, Mary Rita’s Naturopathic Oncology Physician
Jason Harmon, ND, Mary Rita’s first Naturopathic Doctor in Alaska said, :she has been such an amazing force of nature. One of my favorite people ever. The stars just got a bit brighter when she joined them. It’s been an honor to call her friend. Mary Rita’s assets were that of inspirational optimism, and being incredibly proactive in her own health, and in supporting the health of others. She pushed tirelessly for early detection and awareness, so that women could understand the importance of early detection being what saves lives. And with advanced cancer, she never blinked; she never shined away from advanced treatments that were often very difficult. She always kept a positive, optimistic view with the new treatments and therapies and navigated them with such grace. She was an advocate for access to new technology, and for others to also have access, regardless of their insurance, and being proactive to gain treatment availability. She really was one of the most inspirational people I have ever met, and her life has touched and saved lives for so many because of early detection and those living with ovarian cancer. It’s been a true honor knowing her.”
Olivia Godby (Niece)
Our niece, Olivia Godby, in her final year of school to become a nurse-midwife said, talking to her aunt said, “after accompanying you along such an extraordinary 18-year battle with ovarian cancer, I’ve been so heartbroken by your loss, and yet I find that in the breaking apart there is more space than ever to live out your infectious joy and fierce commitment to kindness and justice, to seeing and holding space for every person, to making everyone feel like the only person in the world when they’re in your presence. You will always be the voice in my head that helps me make the most important decisions in my life and the one that reminds me that the hardest shit is what makes life the most beautiful. You’ve passed the brightest torch I’ve ever seen to a group of people you spent your life training to make the world more vibrant, compassionate, and downright fun. I’ve never known anyone who was so important to so many people, and while you made it look easy, I have such deep respect for your commitment to putting in the work to nurture all your relationships over so many years. As a midwife, I promise to carry out your mission to help my patients to be, “aware, down there.’ and I hope I can catch and prevent at least a few early cases of GYN cancers in your honor.”
Media stories from Anchorage about Mary Rita:
- anymountainsong.com/healthy-active-alaska-teacher-shares-her-journey-through-ovarian-cancer/
- anymountainsong.com/family-of-ovarian-cancer-survivor-speaks-out-about-their-experience/
- leteverywomanknow.org/reference-materials/
- alaskapublic.org/2021/01/22/let-every-woman-know-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-female-cancers/
On a personal level, my sister was my cheerleader and supported me on every major run/walk that I have done over the last 46 years, sometimes traveling across the USA or to Canada to show her encouragement. She also edited all of my professional articles over my nearly 20 years of practice and provided inspiration when she was teaching high school seminar, and I was teaching high school social justice. An example of how important she was in my life was, one weekend when we were both in college, despite losing my car to theft, and not being able to fathom missing her Chico party and not spending time with her, I hitchhiked, 450 miles, from Corvallis, Oregon, to Chico, California to see her, even being stopped by the CA highway patrol at 2 am for walking on the interstate.
She left this world better than she found it. My favorite saying is, “perfection is the enemy of the good.” She never wavered in being a change agent because her actions would not lead to all problems solved. She was trying to change the things in her community that she potentially had the power to change. Her time on this Earth made a huge difference! Thank you, Mary Rita, for leaving this world a much better place and giving such a beautiful example, to so many, of how to live life to the fullest.
When we were in our early 20s, she said, something that I will never forget, which has inspired me over the years, “you only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough!”
Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, preventing/overcoming gyn cancers
I asked Nasha Winters, ND, FABNO, an integrative oncology specialist, author of “The Metabolic Approach to Cancer” and “Mistletoe and the Emerging Future of Integrative Oncology,” to contribute to this article on how to potentially prevent/overcome gyn cancers with Naturopathic Medicine, and below is just a snippet of what she said on preventing ovarian cancer. I will write another article soon on the rest of her generalized gynecological prevention program.
Integrative Approaches to Prevention and Treatment of Gynecological Cancers
Gynecological cancers—cervical, ovarian, and endometrial—are often influenced by a combination of genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures. An integrative approach to cancer care aims to address the root causes by improving metabolic health, reducing inflammation, and balancing hormones naturally through lifestyle interventions, without the use of exogenous hormone replacement therapies.
Ovarian Cancer: Targeting Inflammation and Balancing Insulin
Ovarian cancer, often detected at advanced stages, is linked to hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which drive chronic inflammation, increase the risk. Additionally, insulin resistance plays a significant role, as high insulin levels can fuel tumor growth and disrupt estrogen balance.
- Balancing Insulin and Inflammation:
- Insulin: Insulin resistance, often driven by poor diet and lack of physical activity, increases estrogen production and promotes chronic inflammation, both of which are key drivers of ovarian cancer.
- Cortisol: Chronic stress exacerbates inflammation and can worsen insulin resistance, creating a vicious cycle that leads to further hormonal dysregulation.
- Oxytocin: The calming effects of oxytocin help reduce stress and inflammation, which can support overall hormonal health and reduce cancer risk.
- Key Integrative Strategies:
- Regulating blood sugar and insulin levels through diet, incorporating plenty of fiber, healthy fats, and moderate protein intake to reduce insulin resistance.
- Supporting anti-inflammatory pathways with natural supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and magnesium, which can help reduce chronic inflammation linked to ovarian cancer.
- Practicing stress reduction techniques, such as yoga, breathwork, and spending time in nature, to lower cortisol and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Enhancing oxytocin production through building meaningful relationships, physical affection, and activities that promote emotional well-being.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach Focused on Natural Hormonal Balance
Integrative approaches to gynecological cancers emphasize the importance of balancing cortisol, insulin, and oxytocin to restore natural hormone regulation. By addressing chronic stress, improving metabolic health, and fostering strong social connections, women can create an internal environment that supports healing and reduces cancer risk. Regular testing, personalized care, and lifestyle interventions are key to maintaining long-term health and improving outcomes for women facing gynecological cancers.
related
- GRIEF: Companionship, understanding and love are more than enough
- Our Hope Warrior: Mary Rita Godby Ely
Explore additional topics from Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center with Dr. Godby, ND, MA and his team at Natural Wellness.
As a naturopathic doctor for the last 20 years, I have witnessed the power of a preventative lifestyle and naturopathic medicine to transform the health and lives of thousands of patients.
Sacramento Naturopathic
2530 J Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 446-2591
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