KVIA-TV ABC-7 News El Paso recently featured OCRA-funded researcher Daniel Heller, PhD, and his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, whose innovative work is bringing new hope for detecting ovarian cancer at its earliest stages through a simple blood test.
Dr. Heller’s research lab is developing a liquid biopsy that uses nanosensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to measure multiple proteins and smaller molecules in the blood — creating a unique “fingerprint” of the disease that could transform early detection and treatment. This work is supported by OCRA’s Collaborative Research Development Grant in partnership with Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab.
“What we’ve found is that we’ve been able to detect some early cancers in early ovarian cancer patients just using blood,” said Dr. Heller in the interview with ABC-7 journalist Marcel Clarke. “We hope that we can expand this for use to many patients as a potential screening test.”
“Right now the idea is that it can potentially detect stage one and two cancers, and that’s really where we want to get.”
Watch the segment, “Nanotech aims to catch ovarian cancer early.”
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.
New Endometrial/Uterine Cancer 101 Workshops Begin November 3rd
OCRA’s new four-part workshop series aims to help those diagnosed with endometrial cancer or uterine sarcoma build a strong foundation of knowledge and confidence in care. Each session covers essential topics including gynecologic anatomy and initial diagnosis, genetic and biomarker testing, treatment options, and navigating clinical trials.
Attend the workshops that best fit your educational needs, and gain tools to become your own best advocate. View the full schedule and register today.
OCRA’s Workshops are generously sponsored by AbbVie and GSK.
OCRA’s Advocate’s Corner
While the federal government remains in shutdown, OCRA is meeting with members of Congress whenever possible to advocate for the full funding of critical research and awareness programs that are essential to our community.
Catch up on the latest, including a roundup of proclamations secured by OCRA’s Advocate Leaders, in OCRA’s Advocate’s Corner.
NCCN 2025 Guidelines for Uterine Cancer Patients Now Available, Sponsored by OCRA
OCRA is proud to sponsor National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s 2025 Guidelines for Patients: Uterine Cancer.
These guidelines provide free, reliable, and clear information based on the same evidence and standards that clinicians use in practice, and are a trusted resource to help patients and caregivers understand and discuss their options with their care team.
View NCCN’s 2025 Guidelines for Uterine Cancer Patients.
Community Partner Network
OCRA’s Community Partners are local and national organizations around the country who share a commitment to eradicate ovarian and all gynecologic cancers through research, advocacy, support, education and awareness. View our Community Partner Network.
Are you part of an organization that shares our commitment to the community? Apply to join our Community Partner Network.
New Support & Education Sessions
Express Yourself:
Thankful Fun
November 13th at 3pm ET
Register here.
Book Club:
Broken Horses: A Memoir, by Brandi Carlile
November 18th at 3pm ET
Register here.
Webinar:
Gynecologic Cancer Updates from European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS)
November 19 at 11am ET
Register here.
OCRA’s Staying Connected Support Series is generously sponsored by Genmab, Merck, PMV Pharma, and the Shirley Z. Johnson Trust.
Ways to Give: Stocks & QCDs
Giving through stocks or IRAs is a meaningful way to support OCRA’s mission and may offer valuable tax advantages. If you’re 70½ or older, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA without it being counted as taxable income.
Talk with your financial advisor soon to plan your year-end gift and make the most of this giving season.
