In November of 1997, ovarian cancer survivor Bonnie Donihi heard about a group gathering in New York to form a national ovarian cancer organization. With the same persistence she used in fighting cancer, Bonnie ultimately “talked [her] way into the meeting” and went on to become a founding member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. … Continued
Beverly Van Houten’s sister died from ovarian cancer in 2005, just six months after her diagnosis at stage IV. Capitol Ovarian Cancer Organization (COCO) was founded in August of 2007. As Beverly recalls, “My friends and I got together and decided that we wanted to form an organization especially for the awareness part. We just … Continued
2012 marks the 10th anniversary of St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA), a Partner Member dedicated to raising awareness, funding ovarian cancer research and supporting women with the disease in the greater St. Louis area. The group’s founder, Christina Carr, was an ovarian cancer survivor who wanted to be sure other women knew about this … Continued
In the late 1990s, Sue Friedman was diagnosed with breast cancer. She learned that she carried a mutation in the BRCA gene that made her more likely to develop both breast and ovarian cancers. Sue felt that none of the existing breast and ovarian cancer groups met the needs of women at high risk for … Continued
Ovar’Coming Together has the distinction of being both a Partner Member and a founding member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Based in Indianapolis, the organization was founded in 1995 by three women who were going through chemotherapy at the same time. “Kai Binford, Pam Faerber and Nancy Hines created Ovar’Coming Together when they realized … Continued
The Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance got its start in 1998, when 13 survivors met. “They saw that there was a lot of work being done around research and testing,” says Doug Barron, Executive Director of the group. “But there was nothing for women about education and awareness of the risks and symptoms. Our founders wanted … Continued
In 1999, a small group of ovarian cancer survivors decided to get together to provide support for each other. The next year, they held the first walk/run in Minnesota for ovarian cancer. The organizers were surprised when hundreds of people joined the walk and raised $91,000. It brought home the message that there was a … Continued
(New York, NY – October 4, 2011) – A unique support program that pairs women with gynecologic cancer with volunteers who have survived the disease is coming to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The national Woman to Woman program, funded by Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), was first established at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, and OCRF plans … Continued
The Cancer Support Community (CSC) is one of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s national Partner Members, a relationship that strengthens both groups. Vice President of Education and Outreach Ivy Ahmed notes: “We’re not a tumor specific organization—we serve people with all cancer types. Being a Partner Member of the Alliance helps us provide resources specific … Continued
Drop by the Petaluma Arts Center on September 2, and you will find a building bedecked in teal. The Women’s Cancer Awareness Group is using “yarn-bombing”—decorating a public structure or space with yarn—to raise awareness of ovarian cancer. Groups of knitters have gathered once a week to create teal items for the project; those who … Continued
When Jean Shipos survived a recurrence of ovarian cancer in 2003, she and her daughter vowed to raise awareness of the disease. They got involved with a local run/walk, organizing a team and fundraising each year. In 2006, Jean’s daughter suggested starting an event of their own. “We can’t keep hitting up the same friends … Continued
Kelly Smith founded the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of North Florida while she was on spring break from college one year. Based in Tallahassee, this Partner Member focuses on younger women, including the many college students who attend schools in northern Florida. Kelly herself was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 17—about the age of the … Continued
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