For the founders of OCERN, the Ovarian Cancer Education & Research Network, Inc., becoming a Partner Member of the Alliance was a “no brainer.” Executive Director Gina Dayton notes that the founders believed in a three-pronged approach to ovarian cancer outreach: “We wanted to advance research and continue to educate others about the symptoms—but we … Continued
When her ovarian cancer recurred in 2010, Jean Ebert sought treatment in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She soon connected with another woman who had been diagnosed around the same time—2008—with the same stage of ovarian cancer. Jean and Charlotte quickly formed a connection. “She wanted to do something and I wanted to do something,” recalls … Continued
Phil and Judy Messing knew they wanted to support ovarian cancer research in memory of their daughter.
Q&A with John Weroha, MD, PhD 2014 Liz Tilberis Early Career Award Mayo Clinic Were you always in interested in science? By the time I was in high school I knew I wanted to have a career in biology, but I think my interest actually started earlier. When … Continued
2015 marks the 15th anniversary of the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance (WOCA), a Partner Member organization dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer through education, advocacy, and awareness. When oncology nurse Joan Sagan was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 1999, she, along with sisters Kelli Zembruski and Sandi Wagner, realized there was an immediate need for ovarian cancer education in their home state of Wisconsin. While Joan knew from her role as an oncology nurse how devastating this disease can be, Kelli and Sandi knew very little about ovarian cancer. At this point, ovarian cancer was still known as the silent killer, with no symptom awareness. In May 2000, the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance was officially founded, with the mission to educate the community about ovarian cancer and raise awareness about this horrible disease. Click the plus sign to read more.
Partnership is a word you’ll hear often from the board members of Caring Together, a Partner Member of the Alliance in eastern New York. The support group was organized in 1996 by a survivor and nurse practitioner named Debbie Cullinan. “As the support group continued to grow, women and their families had a strong desire … Continued
Rhonda’s Club was founded in 1997, roughly the same time as the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance—and by some of the same people. Rhonda Oziel, Pat Goldman, Ann Kolker, Clare Donelan and Susan Butler were among a small group that formed the original Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Coalition of Greater Washington. “Women found it very hard … Continued
This month, we celebrate Liz Tilberis, beloved former president of OCRF and editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.
When Suzi Shoemaker was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006, she assumed there would be a support group for her in Lexington, Kentucky. After her first experience with a Women’s Cancer Group, where she was told “We only had one member with ovarian cancer, and she just died,” Suzi decided there was a need for … Continued
In 2008, a group of ovarian cancer patients and survivors created the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Arizona. They were tired of the lack of resources in Arizona: no support network, no one to talk to outside of the doctor’s office, no extracurricular meetings or events, and no resources for caretakers. They started OCAZ to fill … Continued
Hope for Heather was established in memory of Heather Weeks, a young woman who lost her life to colon cancer but spent her 20s working on behalf of women with ovarian cancer. Heather’s family started the organization in March of 2009. Their original goal was to raise about $1,000 a year for ovarian cancer research; … Continued
In 1999, Frieda Hooper was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Frustrated with the lack of educational and supportive resources available, Hooper formed a support group for women with ovarian cancer in the Tampa Bay area, under the American Cancer Society. Rapidly growing in popularity, Ovacome started meeting independently of the American Cancer Society, eventually becoming an … Continued
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