When Westbank resident Jenna Gruhala-Oltersdorf hits the pavement this weekend at the Domain for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s Balance 5K, she’ll be walking not only to raise awareness of the disease, but also in memory of her mother.

The 33-year-old owner of Snackbox, an independent public relations firm, moved to the Austin area last year and has jumped in with both feet to help organize the 5K and raise awareness about the disease that claimed her mother, Karen Gruhala, at age 56

“There are so many women who don’t know ovarian cancer exists or are getting the wrong information,” said Gruhala-Oltersdorf, who was 26 when her mother died.

Her mother was misdiagnosed three times, and by the time the cancer was discovered, it was already Stage 4, the last stage in cancer development, she said.

“I’m very much on a crusade to get the word out about what happened to my mom and what ovarian cancer can do,” she said.

After moving to the Austin area, Gruhala-Oltersdorf helped the local NOCC chapter launch social networking pages and helped get the word out. When the 5K starts on Saturday, she’ll be thinking of her mom, she said.

“Doing this race is going to be a blast,” Gruhala-Oltersdorf said. “I’m doing this for my mom and everyone else.”

The NOCC Austin chapter uses funds from the 5K and other donations to fund speaking circuits, educational seminars, literature distribution, billboard campaigns and other awareness efforts on ovarian cancer. The disease has been called a silent killer because the symptoms are nonspecific and there are no early-detection tests. Most cases are discovered in Stage 3 or 4, and the survival rate is only about 29 percent.

“The biggest thing we’re trying to do is to educate women about the symptoms,” she said. “You know your body better than anyone else. Get two or three opinions until you feel that you have been examined and feel like you agree with that doctor.”

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating and frequent urination. Other symptoms can include fatigue, upset stomach or heartburn, back pain, constipation and changes in menstruation, according to the NOCC website.

Because of her family history, Gruhala-Oltersdorf now gets yearly exams and blood tests for ovarian cancer.

“Early detection is really key,” she said and encouraged women to talk with their doctors about their risk.

The NOCC Balance 5K will take place at the Domain, at MoPac and Braker Lane, at 7:45 a.m. Saturday. Registration is available online at www.balanceaustin.com until 4 p.m. today; runners can also register on Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Westin Austin at the Domain.