Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF)

In 2024, the OCRF committed $2.4 million in new medical research funding – one of our largest grant distributions in the last decade. This funding supports critical research projects focused on innovative treatments, managing recurrence and early detection of ovarian cancer. We awarded three major grants totaling nearly $2.1 million, they were: 🔬Professor Kristen Radford from Mater Research and The University of Queensland, to discover a new, effective treatment and management of recurrence via a novel vaccine solution. 🔬 Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo from The University of Queensland, to develop a highly sensitive early detection test using multiple biomarkers. 🔬Doctor Dane Cheasley of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne, to determine effective drug combinations for rare low-grade serous ovarian cancer. This year was also pivotal for enhancing the OCRF's ability to drive impactful ovarian cancer research, resulting in several important partnerships both domestically and internationally. 📖 Read the full 2023-24 Annual Report to see how we are working together to shape the future of ovarian cancer research: https://bit.ly/3Dc2JTe

The VCCC Alliance is embarking on an ambitious area of work to support our people, systems and structures to improve equity in cancer research and service delivery. We need people with a range of experiences and expertise to help us with this task: consumers, people with lived experience of inequity in the health and/or cancer sector; researchers; clinicians; policymakers; health executives; advocates; and members of community organisations. If you are interested in making a difference, please consider applying. https://lnkd.in/gWUZk4GY

The OCRF is proud to announce our Research Advisor, Dr Amy Wilson has been named as an official member of the ‘Superstars of STEM’ Program! Amy is one of 60 stellar ‘superstar’ scientists being inducted into the program run by Science and Technology Australia, which aims to break gender stereotypes about who can work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Amy has a PhD in ovarian cancer immuno-biology and worked in the lab as a post-doctoral researcher at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research for 4 years, before transferring her knowledge and experience to her current role at the OCRF. Superstars of STEM is a national program that fosters and celebrates diversity in STEM by developing the careers of participants and putting key national challenges on the agenda - such as ovarian cancer, which has been systematically overlooked and underfunded for decades and urgently needs attention. Read more about Dr Amy and the Superstars of STEM Program: https://lnkd.in/gtDPQxwD

The OCRF 2023-24 Annual Report is here! FY24 has been a remarkable chapter of growth, collaboration, and impact for the OCRF, and we are proud to share key highlights of this journey in our Annual Report. Taking an activist position, building strong momentum from our fundraising success, expanding collaborations both in Australia and overseas, and making key investments in high-impact research, this year’s report theme is "Stepping Up". Key highlights: 🔬 Allocated $2.4M to groundbreaking research projects through our National Research and Collaborative Grants Programs, advancing early detection, innovative treatments, and strategies to manage recurrence. 💡Saw an OCRF-supported early detection project evolve from lab research to commercialisation- a significant step toward early and accurate diagnosis. 🤝 Strengthened domestic and international partnerships, enhancing our capacity to drive meaningful change in ovarian cancer outcomes. 🏆Received an international award from the World Ovarian Cancer Day & World Ovarian Cancer Coalition for Inspiring Collaborations, celebrating the success of our creative Witchery White Shirt Campaign. 👩🔬 Welcomed new talent to our research, donor, and communications teams, preparing us for an exciting new phase of growth. This progress is only possible through the support of our incredible community - donors, researchers, ambassadors, advocates and partners. Together, we are driving meaningful change in ovarian cancer research, awareness, and advocacy. 📖 Read the full 2023-24 Annual Report to see how we are working together to shape the future of ovarian cancer research: https://bit.ly/49yPKHf

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer or Kris Kringle gift? Our partners at Digga Australia have got you covered this year! Ovarian Cancer Socks is an annual fundraiser offering a stunning, limited-edition boxed sock set, with 100% of sales going directly to ovarian cancer research. The 2024 campaign shines a spotlight on research and highlights the work of OCRF-funded researcher, Professor Carlos Salomon Gallo, who has been advancing early detection methods since 2017 with the support of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. To date, Digga has proudly raised over $350,000 for the OCRF, contributing to efforts to improve survival rates for those affected by ovarian cancer. This festive season, give a gift that truly makes a difference. Surprise your loved ones with a beautiful sock set and help fund lifesaving research. Purchase your box set today, and order by 18 December to receive them in time for Christmas: https://bit.ly/4ihsmC8

In a powerful article, OCRF ambassador Suki Paddington shares the story of her mum's experience with ovarian cancer in this month's Women's Health magazine. Margy was Suki's best friend, the first and last person Suki would call every day, the person that walked Suki down the aisle, and her closest confidante. The enduring bond between Margy and Suki has been immortalised in the moving 2024 Georg Jensen campaign, Untold Stories. In continuing to share her story, Suki honours Margy's legacy and aims to raise vital hope, awareness and funds for medical research, via the OCRF. https://lnkd.in/g-ajfq25 Suki Paddington Avalee Weir Robin Penty Adam Worling Nadia Bayfield MBA Jemma Gomularz

Thanks to Kenneth O'Byrne for organising this fantastic meeting and providing a platform for all cancer researchers in Brisbane to attend the Brisbane Cancer Conference. I had a great time presenting during one of the plenary sessions, sharing results from our ovarian cancer program. Our work focuses on developing an early detection test for ovarian cancer, supported by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) LMRF: Lions Medical Research Foundation (Qld & Northern NSW) The University of Queensland We also emphasized the importance of creating a test suitable for clinical implementation, with a feasible pathway that integrates seamlessly into the workflow of pathology laboratories. To achieve this, we have partnered with INOVIQ Ltd (ASX:IIQ) to bring this test to the community.

The Frocktober results are in! 🎉 For only the third time in Frocktober's 18-year history, we have raised over $1 MILLION for ovarian cancer research- thank YOU!! From frocking up daily, to hosting frocktail parties, bake sales, fashion parades, and one-off challenges, #Frocktober2024 was simply unforgettable. Each social post, donation, and frock-filled moment brought us closer to creating change for those impacted by ovarian cancer – now and into the future. With your support, we are funding game-changing research. Here's to the power of Frocktober and the amazing community behind it. This milestone is yours to celebrate! Let's frock even bigger next year!! 🙌 #frockovariancancer #ovariancancer #ovariancancerresearch #ocrf Robin Penty Avalee Weir Georgie Herbert David Hunt Silver Lining Agency (B corp) Jonny Clow AMPR oOh! OncoDaily Mater Research Maddocks Steward Wealth Diana Dionisio Amy Wilson Eilis Hughes Fulton Trotter Architects Little Party Dress Fiona Herron Amy Rein MHRM, CPHR, CPMgr, CMgr FIML Vanja Wilson Courtney Houston Cartherics Pty Ltd

This is how change happens! Strong partnerships, shared goals and collaborative efforts. So great to join our friends from Mother's Day Classic Foundation and National Breast Cancer Foundation this week, and show the MDC corporate partners some of the exceptional science that is fueling progress and hope, as we strive to improve cancer outcomes. Thanks for having us Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Garvan Institute of Medical Research 👏 Robin Penty Zara Lawless Avalee Weir Georgie Herbert Anne-Marie O’Loghlin Julie Toop

The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation is delighted to contribute to the new ACRF Centre of Advanced Image-Guided Cancer Therapeutics at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre . The science behind this approach builds on research that OCRF has supported previously, and we believe it offers real potential to improve clinical management of ovarian cancer - as well as other cancer types. Congratulations to Linda Mileshkin Michael Hofman and all involved on this visionary, high potential project. And bravo to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation on these transformative grants. Robin Penty David Hunt Kerry Strydom