The Overview: September 2023
OCRA Announces Game-Changing Initiatives
This month, OCRA announced a trio of initiatives that carry profound implications for ovarian cancer and related research and patient support: OCRA will expand its mission to include related gynecologic cancers, will create the first comprehensive ovarian and endometrial cancer registry, and will initiate a groundbreaking international data commons.
Audra Moran, President and CEO of OCRA, remarked, “This marks a pivotal moment in our fight against ovarian and related cancers. These three initiatives represent a profound step toward a future where these cancers no longer dictate lives.”
Designate Your Donation
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month ends on Saturday, and we need our community’s help to reach our $300,000 fundraising goal. Through September 30th you can direct your gift toward specific areas of our mission, including scientific research, patient support programs, free genetic testing, and general support.
OCRA-Funded Study Tackles Treatment Resistance
An OCRA-funded study, co-authored by Dr. Anil Sood, sought to understand why certain ovarian cancer cells resist olaparib treatment, and discovered that introducing a second drug (mifepristone) while targeting certain cells (polyploid giant cancer cells) may offer a solution.
Registration Ends Soon for Advocacy Day
OCRA’s Fall Advocacy Day returns to Capitol Hill on October 23rd – 24th, and just a few spots remain to join us. Training is included, and no advocacy experience is required. In the case of a government shutdown, OCRA will still hold an advocacy event.
OCRA-Funded Study Helps Eliminate Barrier to Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can save lives, making it crucial to eliminate unnecessary barriers to this important tool. Research co-funded by OCRA, in collaboration with Stand Up to Cancer and co-led by Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, found that genetic counseling may be one such barrier for individuals without a pathogenic variant.
Seeking Loved One Mentors
OCRA’s Woman to Woman peer mentoring program is now open to loved ones of those impacted by ovarian cancer. We are currently seeking Loved One Mentors. Mentors receive training and are matched with Mentees by our Patient Support Team.
More September updates
- OCRA’s important message urging genetic testing and consideration of prophylactic action to reduce risk of ovarian cancer has received a significant boost from media outlets, including Yahoo! Finance and AP News.
- OCRA’s #gameOVAR campaign will be featured on the front page of popular livestreaming platform Twitch all day on September 29th thanks to OCRA Hero John Teodoro, who’s livestreaming in honor of his wife, Maria.
- OCRA has once again earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest rating possible. You can be confident your donation will be spent wisely when you give to OCRA.