why this is personal: Our founder, amanda's story

Every Five Minutes was born from one woman’s story—and a community’s determination to turn pain into purpose.

In February 2023, at the age of 43, Amanda Bates was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after her doctor discovered a cancerous cyst on her right ovary. Thanks to early detection, preventive care, and doctors who looked deeper, her cancer was caught at an early stage. Today, Amanda is cancer-free. But too many women aren’t as fortunate.

Every five minutes, a woman is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer—cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, or vulvar. Of these, only cervical cancer is routinely screened for. The others often go undetected until symptoms appear, when it’s often too late for effective treatment.

Amanda’s experience revealed a powerful truth: hard things don’t define us—they reveal us.

Through Every Five Minutes, she set out to change the conversation about women’s health—to expand access to testing, empower self-advocacy, and advance early detection for gynecologic cancers. The organization is committed to education, awareness, and funding initiatives that help women understand their bodies, recognize symptoms, and push for answers.

Our mission is simple:
To make sure every woman—regardless of background, resources, or awareness—has the best possible chance at early detection and survival.

Together, we can do hard things.

Together, we can save lives.