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The Overview: December 2020

We’re probably all ready to say goodbye to 2020, if we have to be honest with ourselves. And yet, we can’t look back and say that the year was entirely bad. With your support, OCRA actually accomplished quite a lot and we have much for which to feel hopeful.

RESEARCH

Research OCRA
  • Our Scientific Advisory Committee has finished reviewing more than 160 grant applications from around the U.S. and countries including Italy, India, Malaysia, Canada, Australia, France, and the U.K. Not only do these grants propel science forward, but OCRA’s support at the early stages of many of our researchers’ careers helps cement their lifelong commitment to finding better treatments and a cure for ovarian cancer. We are looking forward to sharing details of the institutions and projects behind the winners in January.
  • Meanwhile, we have awarded prizes for excellence in research to two outstanding ovarian cancer researchers. The Rosalind Franklin Prize for Excellence in Ovarian Cancer Research was awarded to Ie-Ming Shih, MD, PhD of Johns Hopkins University; and Sarah Adams, PhD, of the University of New Mexico, was awarded the Liz Tilberis Prize for Outstanding Early Career Investigators.
  • What does a Commodore 64 home computer from the 1980’s have to do with breakthroughs in ovarian cancer treatment? Find out in our latest “Meet a Scientist” profile featuring Dr. Sohrab Shah.
Ie-Ming Shih, MD, PhD; Sarah Adams, PhD, PhD; Sohrab Shah, PhD

ADVOCACY

Advocacy OCRA
  • Nearly 100 people applied to become Advocate Leaders for 2021. We are reviewing applications and will be in touch shortly. You can learn more about our Advocate Leaders and how they work to be a voice for our community.
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PATIENT SUPPORT & PROGRAMS

Support OCRA
  • All of the resources and information shared at our Uniting for Hope Ovarian Cancer National Conference is available for viewing on our website. From PARPs and Maintenance Therapy to Advanced Care Planning, Balancing Work and Cancer to Integrative Medicine … there’s a lot to learn from experts in the field. 
  • Bob Pyle, the author of a book that inspired the major motion picture The Dark Divide, spoke with the film’s director and producer in an exclusive interview for our ovarian cancer community. In this 30-minute video filled with wisdom and compassion, he shares the insights he gained while caring for his wife Thea for 10 years as she lived with ovarian cancer.
Right Image: author Bob Pyle, with actor David Cross

WAYS TO GIVE

Ways to Give OCRA

Everything we have achieved this year was made possible thanks to your generous support in 2019. And the progress we will make next year in advancing research and supporting the patient community depends on what you do right now. 

Make a gift to OCRA by December 31st and it will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000! 

This year the federal CARES Act makes it easier for you to receive a tax benefit for your donation. Under the pandemic relief program passed in March, individual taxpayers can take a deduction of up to $300 for cash donations made in 2020 without being required to itemize deductions.

There are a number of other ways to support OCRA besides traditional check or credit card donations:

  • We have recently added digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay and Microsoft Pay) as a payment method on our donation forms making it even easier for you to give using your mobile device.
  • You can invest in the future of ovarian cancer research and patient support by making your donation in the form of stocks. Your financial advisor can assist you in making a gift of stock and we can provide instructions for electronic transfer. You will receive a tax letter for the full market value of the stock. Please alert us in advance about a pending stock donation.
  • If you are age 70 ½ or older you can make a tax-free donation of up to $100,000 directly from your IRA account. Contact your IRA administrator directly to set up a transfer of funds.
  • Looking for the perfect holiday gift that gives back? We’ve got you covered. Give the gift of wellness to everyone on your holiday list, while supporting ovarian cancer research. OCRA is offering a suite of virtual classes–yoga, meditation, Pilates and more–that can be enjoyed from home … whenever you want, as often as you want. It’s the perfect tribute gift!
  • Planning to shop with Amazon this holiday season? If so, choose OCRA as your Amazon Smile charity of choice, and a portion of your Amazon purchases will support the fight against ovarian cancer. To date, Amazon shoppers have raised over $24,000 for OCRA’s research and programs.
  • Round up your purchases. A few cents here, a few cents there — every penny gets us one step closer to ending the suffering of ovarian cancer. With Cheerful Giving, you can round up your everyday purchases and donate the spare change to OCRA, which can really add up toward supporting ovarian cancer research.

Email donations@ocrahope.org or contact our Development Team at (212) 268-1002 with questions about any of these giving options.

Posted on in Advocacy, Community, OCRA News, Research

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