September is Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month—a time for our community to unite, raise awareness, and push forward in the search for better treatments and cures.
This year, that push forward took a major step. In May, we launched the Research Exchange, a new kind of online community that represents a fundamental shift in how discovery happens. The Research Exchange is designed to bring together the people and information that have historically been siloed. Now patient experience, real-world data, and scientific discovery live in one single transformative ecosystem that enables global collaboration and accelerated breakthroughs.
The Research Exchange is one example of what becomes possible when we invest in progress. We are asking our community to help us raise $300,000 in September to build on that momentum—fueling the next wave of groundbreaking research, strengthening our fight for policies that protect patients, and sustaining the support and educational programs this community depends on every day.
This is where the power of community comes to life. Make an early gift, host or join a fundraiser, or share our prevention and risk graphics to help someone else take action. However you choose to show up, it makes a difference.
Thank you for being part of this community, and for everything your support makes possible.
In gratitude,
Audra Moran, President & CEO, Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance
Riding for a Reason: Fitness & Fight on the Virginia Capital Trail
When Susan Fuhs was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2019, OCRA helped her navigate what came next. That experience, and a desire to help others find hope and support, inspired her to create an annual fitness fundraiser to benefit OCRA. Six years later, Susan’s fundraising events have raised more than $75,000 for OCRA. And on October 10th, she will mark a new milestone—her first outdoor bike ride, called Fitness & Fight on the Virginia Capital Trail.
The most rewarding part of hosting a fundraiser, she says, is “seeing friends, family, survivors, supporters, and community members come together for a common purpose…I leave every event feeling grateful, inspired, and already thinking about the next one.” Read more of Susan’s story.
Early bird registration for Fitness & Fight closes on August 31. Register to join if you’re nearby, browse our event calendar, or start your own!
OCRA’s Advocate’s Corner
OCRA’s Advocate Leaders are driving real change this year—growing bipartisan support for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program, helping pass the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Detection Screening Coverage Act, and raising local visibility for gynecologic cancers. These wins happen because advocates show up and speak out.
Applications for OCRA’s 2027 Advocate Leader Program open September 1.
We welcome advocates across all gynecologic cancer diagnoses, and no advocacy experience is necessary. Sign up to receive a link when the application period opens.
OCRA’s Advocate Leaders program is supported by grants from AstraZeneca, Eisai, Genentech, Genmab, GSK, and Merck.
The First 550: A Look at Who’s Joined the Living Lab
More than 550 people have already joined the Living Lab, OCRA’s registry for anyone diagnosed with ovarian or uterine cancer. Early data shows that Living Lab participants span the full range of time since diagnosis: 62% were diagnosed within the past five years, and the rest further out.
That range matters, because recently diagnosed participants can speak to treatment and side effects in real time, while longer-term survivors add insight into lasting effects and health over the years.
The Living Lab is open to anyone in the United States diagnosed with ovarian or uterine cancer, at any part of their experience. Join the Living Lab today, or learn more in our webinar: Growing the Living Lab Together.
Support for the Living Lab is provided by AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and GSK.
News from OCRA’s Research Exchange
OCRA’s Research Exchange is your source for AI-collated, expert-reviewed summaries of the latest open access gynecologic research.
Explore recent gynecologic research, including a preclinical study that shows a potential treatment option for low-grade serous ovarian cancer, data that demonstrates that HPV vaccination is preventing cervical cancer deaths, and more, in the latest Research Digest.
Support and Education Updates: Upcoming Conference, Giving Voice to Grief, and More
We are welcoming fall with a few September highlights—we hope to see you at one or all of them.
OCRA’s International Gynecologic Cancer Conference® returns on September 16-17, with dedicated Ask the Experts sessions for ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and rare gynecologic cancers, a special FDA Listening session, and so much more. Register for our free online conference today.
On September 16, we will begin a 12-week bereavement series, Giving Voice to Grief, for caregivers and other family members who have lost a loved one to gynecologic cancer. This program runs through December 9. Early registration is required.
Did you know OCRA offers Staying Connected: Cancer en Español for those whose primary language is Spanish? Register here.
Register for upcoming programs below, and click here to view all support and education programming. All times are listed in Eastern Time.
Staying Current: Treatment for Endometrial Cancer
September 1 at 1PM | Register
Staying Current: First-line and Maintenance Treatment for Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer
September 3 at 1PM | Register
Staying Current: Treatment for Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
September 10 at 1PM | Register
Staying Connected: Express Yourself
“See Me Shine!”
September 15 at 3PM | Register
Staying Connected: Giving Voice to Grief (12-Part Weekly Series)
September 16 – December 9 at 7PM | Register
Staying Connected: Book Club
Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris
September 24 at 3PM | Register
Staying Current: Treatment for Platinum-Resistant/Refractory Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
September 24 at 1PM | Register
Staying Connected: Narrative Medicine
September 25 at 11:30AM | Register
Ovarian Cancer 101: 4-Part Weekly Workshop Series
September 28 – October 26 at 3PM | Register
OCRA’s Patient Support and Education programs are generously sponsored by AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Genentech, Genmab, GSK, Merck, PMV Pharma, and the Shirley Z. Johnson Trust.
Support for OCRA’s International Gynecologic Cancer Conference is provided by OCRA’s 2026 Conference sponsors.
