The Overview: March 2023

Spring is officially here, and there’s so much to share — from a roundup on the impact of our risk and prevention campaign, to new ways to get involved and give back. Catch up below.

Research

• Last month we shared an important message about a bold, new direction in our fight against ovarian cancer. This shift from a decades-long focus on early detection to one emphasizing risk and prevention is a turning point, and it needed to be heard even by those without a personal connection to the disease. Featured in The New York Times, The Science Times … on CNN, CBS and more —  nearly 1,000 publications and media outlets shared this life-saving message, gaining more than 4.6 billion impressions around the world. 

• Even with all that success, we are still counting on you — our community of survivors and supporters — to help spread the word. And to make it even easier, we have created materials that you can share within your networks. We have social media, blog posts, and other informational pieces, which you can find here.

• We are encouraging ovarian cancer survivors to participate in a brief survey that’s part of a Break Through Cancer research endeavor involving five major centers: Johns Hopkins, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They thank you in advance for your participation as we all continue to work toward a cure.

Advocacy

• Hundreds of advocates took 260 virtual meetings with Members of Congress to speak up on behalf of the ovarian cancer community during OCRA’s 2023 Spring Advocacy Day last week. Even if you couldn’t attend, you can still make your voice heard! Click here to request the following from Congress: $15M for Johanna’s Law, $20M for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative, and $50M for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program.

Patient Support

• Dealing with a gynecologic cancer can feel isolating and scary. But OCRA is here for patients and their families at every stage of the illness, even into survivorship. Staying Connected online support series offers a wide range of options and is available for all impacted by ovarian or another gynecologic cancer. Sessions include New Diagnosis, Living Well, Young Adults, Loved Ones, and fun activity-based programs like Express Yourself and our new Book Club. Learn more.

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society, a professional organization of those working in the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of cancer, hosted their national conference March 14-17 in Portland, Oregon. OCRA Oncology Social Workers Tracy Moore, LCSW and Nancy Cincotta, LCSW, MPhil attended and shared the success of our programs with a poster presentation, “Expressive Arts: An Avenue of Intervention on the Ovarian Cancer Journey.”

Events

• Join a community of thousands who are raising funds for OCRA! All you need is a Facebook account and the motivation to make a difference. This April, we will be holding our 60-Mile Challenge, in honor of the more than 60 people who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day in the U.S. Walk, run, bike, swim, dance … it’s up to you! Register now.
• It’s just barely spring, but we wanted to give a heads up that OCRA’s Ovarian Cancer National Conference will be held virtually in November this year, (not September as you may have been accustomed.) This may seem way far off in the distance, but we have begun working hard to plan an informative and meaningful event. So save the date! November 1-3, 2023.

Ways to Give

Now is the perfect time to think about how charitable giving can provide great tax advantages. OCRA offers several ways for supporters to make an impact for others while benefitting their own portfolio.

• Stock donations can be up to 20% more valuable than selling the stock and donating the proceeds. You receive a tax letter for the full market value of the stock and avoid federal capital gains taxes. You or your financial advisor can make a stock gift online in less than five minutes or use our transfer information to make your gift.

• 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 or use this helpful online form.

• Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are like a philanthropic savings account administered by a qualified public charity. You can make contributions to the fund as often as you wish, receive an immediate charitable deduction, and recommend donations to OCRA.