On March 17, 122 Advocate Leaders from nearly 40 states and Washington, DC, converged on Capitol Hill for OCRA’s Spring Advocacy Day. Together, they held 158 meetings with Congressional offices, carrying a clear message: Congress must sustain and build on its commitment to ovarian and gynecologic cancer research.
The energy and reach of this year’s event drew attention beyond the Hill—find a roundup of press clips on our press page.
What Advocates Asked For
The Advocates’ asks focused on three specific FY2027 investments that would bring an additional $10 million to gynecologic cancer research and education:
- $15 million for Johanna’s Law (the Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- $20 million for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative at the CDC
- $52.5 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) within the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)
Advocates also urged members of Congress to sign the Dear Colleague letter on OCRP funding, led in the House by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Grace Meng, and Norma Torres, and in the Senate by Sen. Cory Booker.
Finally, advocates asked for support of the Gynecologic Cancer STAR Act of 2026, a comprehensive bill expected to be introduced soon that would reauthorize Johanna’s Law, expand survivorship programs, improve access to genetic testing, and boost research funding.
View more Advocacy Day coverage on our press page.
About OCRA Advocacy
OCRA is the only dedicated voice on Capitol Hill advocating for ovarian and gynecologic cancers. To date, OCRA has helped secure more than $3.8 billion in federal funding for research and education programs. OCRA’s Center for Public Policy works year-round on federal and state-level priorities—accelerating research, innovation, and awareness; expanding access to quality care; advancing clinical trials and equity; improving drug and diagnostic access; and supporting survivorship and patient needs.
The Work Continues
Advocacy Day may be over, but the work isn’t. Congress is still making decisions about FY2027 appropriations, and every contact matters. If you weren’t able to join us in person, you can still make your voice heard by taking action now. To learn more about how OCRA advocates on behalf of the gynecologic cancer community, visit our Center for Public Policy—or explore how to become an Advocate Leader yourself.
