OCRA Joins Forces With Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) has announced that the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research will join with OCRA effective April 1, 2025. This historic collaboration unites two respected organizations committed to advancing research for a cure for ovarian and all gynecologic cancers.

“OCRA has always respected the remarkable contributions of the Rivkin Center in advancing ovarian cancer research and building meaningful connections within the community,” said Audra Moran, OCRA President and CEO. “By coming together, we are creating a stronger foundation to support patients and families, while carrying forward Dr. Saul Rivkin’s incredible legacy and driving progress in research.” 

Save the Date: July 13th, SummeRun 5K in Seattle

Hosted for over 30 years by Rivkin Center, this event brings together thousands of supporters annually to raise funds for a cure. Details will be shared soon.

OCRA Talks Risk, Prevention, and Harnessing AI for Earlier Detection with Clarke’s Closer Look

In two new interviews with journalist Marcel Clarke for Clarke’s Closer Look, OCRA’s Chief Program Officer, Sarah DeFeo, discusses risk and prevention, and Dr. Daniel Heller of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center talks about how his lab’s OCRA-funded research in partnership with Microsoft AI for Health is harnessing AI and nanotechnology to revolutionize ovarian cancer detection

Dr. Heller’s grant was made possible in part by generous donations from The Edmée Firth Fund for Research in Ovarian Cancer (EFFROC), and The Teal Foundation.

OCRA’s Advocate’s Corner

OCRA is proud to welcome our largest-ever cohort of Advocate Leaders — 165 members representing 43 states and Washington, D.C.

Read this month’s Advocate’s Corner for an update on the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act, which last year’s advocates helped make the most cosponsored bill of the 118th Congress.

OCRA-Funded Research Identifies Potential Immunotherapy Target

Dr. Melica Brodeur, Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin

An OCRA-funded study published in Science Advances has made inroads toward overcoming immune evasion in ovarian cancer. OCRA grantee Dr. Melica Brodeur led the study, which was co-authored by a team that included fellow OCRA grantees Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin and Dr.  Britta Weigelt. 

Dr. Brodeur’s grant was made possible in part by a generous donation from The Wasily Family Foundation.

New Support Sessions & Roundtable

Tote bag artwork by Megan, Staying Connected: Express Yourself participant

Roundtable: Survivorship Challenges
February 26th from 7pm – 8:30pm
Join us for a discussion of fear, uncertainty, grief, and loss as it relates to the cancer experience. Facilitated by an Oncology Social Worker, and open to anyone managing survivorship issues related to gynecologic cancer treatment and beyond. Register here.

Book Club: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
February 11th at 3pm
Register here.

Express Yourself: Pieces of My Heart
February 27th at 3pm
Register here.