We recently connected with Kimberly Airhart and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kimberly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I created Harts of Teal because I know what it feels like to face the unknown. To sit in waiting rooms filled with fear, knowing that the doctor has news for you that is not good, and the anxiety is crippling. I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to give back and let others know all the things that I wish I would have known. I wanted to build something that didn’t just raise awareness—but wrapped women in love, comfort, and community.
This isn’t just about cancer, it’s about purpose through pain, connection through struggle, and hope through healing. I believe every woman deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. I want other women to feel that even in the hardest seasons, her story matters. That’s why Harts of Teal exists. No one should ever have to fight alone, and you would not believe how many do not have anyone to help them.
Kimberly , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Kimberly, and I’m the founder of Harts of Teal, a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness and offering support to those impacted by ovarian and gynecologic cancers. My journey into this work is not something I planned; it was something I lived and walked through. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life.
As a young mom to five beautiful children and a loving wife, my world was turned upside down when I received my cancer diagnosis in 2020. But from the very beginning, I knew one thing for certain, God was working in my life. I had to fight with everything that I had, not just for me, but for them… and for every woman walking this same road.
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and like many others, I discovered just how little awareness there was surrounding this disease. There were no big campaigns, no sea of teal, and very few spaces that felt safe or seen for someone like me. I felt overlooked, misunderstood, alone, and scared. I didn’t have anyone to talk about these struggles with. Then God brought another survivor to walk alongside me and show me how much we needed one another. It was the thing I needed the most and she encouraged me, prayed with me and for me, and helped me start this nonprofit. Instead of letting that be the end of my story, I decided to make it the beginning of something much bigger. When my cancer returned in 2023, it made me more determined to shine light on this disease.
Why I Started Harts of Teal
I created Harts of Teal to fill the gap I saw during my own cancer journey: the lack of community, comfort, and compassionate resources tailored specifically to women facing gynecologic cancers. I wanted to give women more than just statistics, I wanted to give them hope, connection, and a voice. I wanted to bring women together so we could all Rise Stronger together.
Some of the ways Harts of Teal reaches the community:
• Awareness campaigns and education about the early symptoms and risks of ovarian and gynecologic cancers.
• Blessing Bags filled with comforting essentials for women going through chemo.
• Survivor support programs, events, dinners, and luncheons, and other events to bring ladies together.
• Community events that unite survivors, caregivers, and advocates.
• Creative projects that bring beauty and heart to heavy moments—whether through art, storytelling, or memory-making.
What Sets Us Apart
At Harts of Teal, we don’t just hand out brochures or teal ribbons. We sit with women in the waiting rooms; we pray and cry with them. We celebrate their wins and mourn their losses. We are survivor-led and heart-driven. It makes all the difference to find community and just show up for each other. I have meet so many wonderful friends, teal sisters that have changed my life for the better and taught me a whole lot about what’s important.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the sisterhood we’ve created. Watching women who’ve never met hold each other up in the hardest moments… there’s nothing more powerful. I’ve seen friendships blossom from state to state through Zoom Encouragement Calls. I’ve seen laughter in the middle of fear. I’ve seen lives changed because someone knew they weren’t walking alone.
Over the past five years, our organization has delivered hundreds of Blessing Bags—thoughtfully assembled to reach and comfort women undergoing treatment. Through our annual fundraising events, we’ve maintained consistent momentum and community engagement, supporting our operational and outreach goals year after year. Our signature Teal for Teachers program has reached close to 20,000 women, educating them about the signs and symptoms of ovarian and gynecologic cancers, and offering them resources and connection at a time they may feel invisible. Many volunteers all over the country have participated in this initiative. Above all, these efforts have made a real difference helping women feel seen and valued, and in some cases, leading to early detection and lives being saved.
What I Want You to Know
Whether you’re a survivor, a caregiver, a supporter, or someone just learning what a teal ribbon stands for—you matter here. I want people to know that ovarian and gynecologic cancers are not that rare—it’s just rarely talked about. Harts of Teal is working to change that. We’re here to educate, advocate, and walk beside every woman in this fight. Alongside my family, this mission is my purpose. It’s my “why.” And I am so honored to share it with the world.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
As a 41-year-old wife, mom of five, nonprofit founder, and two-time ovarian cancer warrior. I was first diagnosed in 2020, and while I was still recovering from treatment, I felt called to turn my pain into purpose, that’s when I founded Harts of Teal, Inc in 2021. I wanted to create what I wish I had when I was diagnosed – real support, meaningful connection, and a safe space for women facing ovarian and gynecologic cancers. I was diagnosed two weeks before the COVID pandemic and there were no resources being offered anywhere and there are not any gyn cancer support groups, besides social media.
In late 2023, I experienced a recurrence, and I’m now on maintenance chemo every three weeks. I continue to run Harts of Teal while raising my family and showing up for other women walking this road because I know what it feels like to be scared, unseen, and overwhelmed. I believe you don’t have to be on the other side of healing to help someone else. You can live with purpose, even in the middle of the fight. Through Harts of Teal, I’m on a mission to make sure no woman walks this journey alone and that every woman that comes into my life will leave educated, aware, and learn to be her own advocate. I am so thankful for our supporters and volunteers that help make this dream a reality.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the hardest parts of this journey, even harder than my own cancer, is the grief that comes with losing the women I’ve walked alongside. We’ve had so many incredible teal sisters come and go. Women who were fierce, faithful, and full of life. Some of them were friends and became like family. Many of them are no longer here, not because they didn’t fight hard enough, but because this cancer is relentless. I feel like I am banging my head against the wall sometimes for people to take a moment to listen or care. These women I have known and befriended stay with me in my mind and keep motivating me to push through the hard times. Their families deserve better, they deserve better, and we have to stand together and make some noise.
Sometimes I feel like I will have more friends in Heaven than I do on Earth, that has weighed heavy on me, but I still know that this is what God has called me to do this, and I am so grateful for this mission. In every season of brokenness, loss, or struggle, there lies a divine promise: God brings beauty from ashes—He takes our pain and weaves it into something unexpected and extraordinary. This isn’t a superficial optimism, but rooted in Romans 8:28, which assures us that God works all things together for good with those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
So even when it’s hard to find momentum, I remember my why.
God. My family. This community.
And the teal sisters who are no longer here — but who still fuel this mission with every step I take.
I don’t know what the future holds, but God has told me “Do not let your hearts be trouble, Trust in God.”- John 14:1
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hartsofteal.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hartsofteal?igsh=anhtMWhraDc1dmc=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hartsofteal?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harts-of-teal-inc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hartsofteal
Image Credits
Taisley Weston Photography
Chey Photography
Paul Heath