Written by Chad Ramsey, OCRA’s Vice President, Policy

OCRA’s Advocate Leader Program Reaches Record Size in 2026

January marked a major milestone for Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance’s (OCRA) advocacy community. OCRA trained 94 new advocates to join our Advocate Leaders program, bringing our total to 227 advocates across 44 states and Washington, DC. This is the largest Advocate Leader cohort in program history, and it couldn’t come at a more critical moment.

This energized group is ready to mobilize in 2026—showing up, speaking out, and fighting for policies that improve prevention, early detection, research, and access to care. From meeting with legislators to responding to action alerts and elevating patient and survivor voices, Advocate Leaders are prepared to make a real impact at both the federal and state levels.

And we’re already seeing the results of that advocacy.

Advocacy Victory: FY2026 Funding Signed Into Law with Major Wins for Ovarian & Gynecologic Cancer

On February 3rd, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Senate-amended version of H.R. 7148, the FY2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act, by a vote of 217–214. The President has now signed the bill into law, finalizing critical investments for the ovarian and gynecologic cancer community.

This marks a major advocacy win and reflects the power of our sustained, grassroots engagement.

The enacted FY2026 funding package includes several long-sought priorities:

  • $50 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP)—a $35 million increase over current funding and exceeding the FY2024 level of $45 million
  • An additional $1 million for Johanna’s Law, bringing total funding to $12.5 million
  • $15 million for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative, maintaining strong support for prevention and education
  • Inclusion of Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, establishing a Medicare coverage pathway for emerging early detection technologies as the science continues to evolve

These victories are the direct result of advocacy from across the ovarian and gynecologic cancer community. Your emails, calls, meetings, and persistence helped make this outcome possible, and demonstrates that when advocates speak with a unified voice, Congress listens, and real progress follows.