A Year of Progress: Advances in the Fight Against Ovarian and All Gynecologic Cancers
This year, your support enabled Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) to make incredible strides in research, advocacy, and patient support for those facing ovarian and all gynecologic cancers.
With your help, we expanded our support programs, fostered critical collaborations, and continued to champion access and equity for all. None of this would be possible without you. I hope you will consider making a gift toward our important year-end fundraising goal to ensure these programs can continue.
Thank you for standing with us — and here’s to even greater progress in the year ahead.
With gratitude,
Audra Moran, President & CEO, OCRA
A message about our fundraising goal
OCRA is pushing to raise $2 million by 12/31, and we still have $655,666 to go. Every gift helps fund research, expand support programs, and advance policies that make a tangible difference for gynecologic cancer patients and their families. Please make your year-end gift today.
New Research Funding Awarded
OCRA received a record number of applications for research funding this year. More breakthroughs are ahead as OCRA’s new grantees begin their projects leveraging cutting-edge tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address important challenges such as recurrence, treatment resistance, outcome disparities, and more. We look forward to sharing updates on our newest grantees and their groundbreaking projects in the new year.
Expanded Support Programs
More than 3,000 attendees participated in our Staying Connected Patient Support series this year. OCRA’s Patient Support Line helped 2,450 people navigate gynecologic cancer; Woman to Woman Peer Mentor Program surpassed 2,420 Mentor matches; and Clinical Trial Navigator provided 800+ people with clinical trial options. OCRA also introduced new sessions and roundtables for Spanish-speaking patients and caregivers, and our Steps program will soon offer free professional 1:1 counseling for those impacted by gynecologic cancer.
Legislative Wins
OCRA’s advocacy achieved major results: helping the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act become the most co-sponsored bill in the 118th Congress; collecting 98 Congressional sponsors on our letter to increase Ovarian Cancer Research Program funding; engaging in targeted efforts to expand legislative protections against genetic discrimination, and more. Learn more in the year’s final Advocate’s Corner.
The Clearity Foundation Joins Forces with OCRA
OCRA will welcome The Clearity Foundation into the OCRA family beginning January 1, 2025, strengthening our support for the ovarian and gynecologic cancer community. By joining forces, we’ve expanded the resources available to patients and families, ensuring they receive the guidance and care they need at every step of the journey.
Championed Access and Equity
OCRA awarded three new Health Equity Research Grants to address disparities in care and outcomes; launched an online Doctor Finder to connect patients in geographically isolated areas with qualified specialists; partnered with BlackDoctor.org for a 6-video series sharing the perspectives of Black women diagnosed with ovarian cancer; and advocated to expand protections against genetic discrimination — furthering our commitment to making quality care accessible to everyone.
Genetic Testing and Prevention
OCRA’s free genetic testing kit initiative has now received over 7,000 applications, and so far delivered more than 3,245 free genetic testing kits to eligible individuals — helping 135 people discover they have a genetic mutation that elevates their risk, and providing them with potentially lifesaving information to share with their doctors.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With your continued support, OCRA will expand its reach, fund groundbreaking research, and provide unparalleled support for patients and families in the coming year. Thank you for standing with OCRA as we continue to fight ovarian and all gynecologic cancers on all fronts, while supporting patients and their families.
