Dwain and Karen Johnson have been championing early detection of ovarian cancer since their daughter, Faith Deanna Johnson, KLN ’17, lost her battle with the disease.  

The Johnsons launched the Faith Deanna Johnson Foundation in honor of the 26-year-old alum of the Klein College of Media and Communications. Faith was a compassionate young woman who aspired to produce socially responsible films.  

The foundation has a team of supporters and volunteers walking for Faith at the National Together in TEAL Walk on Sept. 7 at the Navy Yard, Marine Parade Grounds, 4747 S. Broad St.

“The goal is to bring awareness to the disease and to the fact that it is the number one cause of gynecologic deaths in women,” Karen Johnson said. “The more we talk about awareness, the more we can discuss prevention and ways to get tested early.”  

She is hopeful they can help build awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms among young women. “The symptoms mimic other diseases, and that is why it is so hard to detect,” Karen Johnson continued. 

According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, common symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic pain, feeling full quickly and urinary tract complications.   

While Faith was pursuing a master’s degree in film studies at Temple, she often experienced pain. However, it wasn't until she began her career in TV/media production that she began to have excruciating pain, which led her to seek medical care again. Faith’s parents said her condition was initially misdiagnosed by doctors as fibroids or other feminine issues.  

Faith wasn’t officially diagnosed with cancer until she was 25 and underwent surgery to have a tumor removed.  

“When the doctors researched the tumor that was removed, they later determined that it was ovarian cancer,” Karen Johnson said.  

The Johnsons were compelled to start their advocacy work when Faith died in 2021. The Johnsons said Faith wanted to help other women by making sure they didn’t experience what she went through.  

“We kept saying we need to get to work, because Faith told us to do something,” Dwain Johnson said. “She was a trooper all the way to the end.”  

After starting their foundation, the Johnsons met House Speaker Valerie Longhurst, who was moved by their story and desire to help other women. Longhurst began working on legislation that is now called the Faith Deanna Johnson Act. The measure, which was signed into law by Delaware Gov. John Carney in March, requires insurance policies to cover annual ovarian cancer tests for women at risk. The law, which goes into effect in 2025, would also broaden the scope of monitoring tests available to those who have been treated for ovarian cancer.  

The Johnsons are hoping the law will be introduced nationwide for maximum impact, saving the lives of all women with early detection.