About Us

Hi, I’m Rachel Danchek — founder of One Ring Closer and a stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor.

At 30 years old, I found myself facing the unimaginable. After nearly a year of infertility with no clear answers, I kept advocating for myself. Eventually, an ultrasound revealed a grapefruit-sized mass on my left ovary. A week later, I had surgery, and that’s when I heard the word no one ever expects: cancer.

Everything changed in an instant. Within days, I started fertility treatments, determined to hold onto my dream of becoming a mom. I completed two rounds of IVF, and just a week later, began chemotherapy. In total, I went through six rounds of chemo, the original laparoscopic debulking surgery, and a second major surgery called HIPEC.

On September 3, 2024, I rang the bell — a moment that marked the end of my battle and a new beginning. That chapter was the hardest of my life, but it also showed me something beautiful: how powerful it is to be surrounded by love and community when you’re in the fight of your life.

During treatment, my stepmom made me a paper ring chain — one ring for each day of chemo. Inside each one was something simple but meaningful: a memory, a quote, a prayer, a joke. Every morning I woke up and pulled off a ring, feeling just a little closer to the end. That paper chain became my lifeline — a daily reminder that I wasn’t alone.

That’s what inspired One Ring Closer. I wanted to create something that could offer that same feeling of hope and connection to others walking through hard things. Because cancer isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, mental, and deeply lonely at times. But even in the darkest moments, a small reminder that someone is thinking of you can change everything.

Today, my husband and I are looking to start the surrogacy process to grow our family — a dream we never let go of, even in the hardest days. One Ring Closer is my way of giving back, honoring the support that carried me, and reminding others: you don’t have to walk this path alone. We’re one ring closer — together.