History

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) was incorporated in New York in 1994 as the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Inc. (OCRF) and is the oldest and largest ovarian cancer charity in the world. In January 2016, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) combined forces into one full-spectrum organization to promote research, education and awareness, advocacy, and patient support.

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) was founded by Sol Schreiber and his wife Ann Schreiber who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1994. OCRA was created to combat not only the disease, but also the isolation and fear ovarian cancer patients and their families so often feel. A few years later, Liz Tilberis, then editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, joined OCRF while battling ovarian cancer, and served as OCRF’s first president, propelling the organization to an international platform.

In 1997, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) was formed in Washington, DC, to provide support, resources and education to people and their families going through an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Leaders from five groups created the organization — CONVERSATIONS! The International Newsletter for Those Fighting Ovarian Cancer (Texas); National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (Florida); Ovar’coming (Indiana); Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Greater Washington (Washington, D.C.); and SHARE: Self-Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer (New York). OCNA became the leading ovarian cancer advocacy organization for federal research funding and related patient advocacy issues.

To date, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance has invested over $122 million in ovarian cancer and related research and is dedicated to developing better diagnostics and treatments, and ultimately a cure, while also supporting women and their families going through a diagnosis. OCRA’s research agenda has grown and evolved over the years, as has its programs. OCRA’s programs serve people with all types of gynecologic cancers, and in 2023, the organization announced an expansion in its research agenda to include related cancers.