Ken Graham

Ovarian Cancer Canada is a registered Canadian charitable organization. OCC is dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer. We provide leadership by supporting women living with the disease and their families, raising awareness, and funding research to develop early detection techniques, improved treatment and ultimately a cure. Each year, over 2600 Canadian women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and sadly 1500 succumb to the disease annually, making it the most serious of all gynecological cancers.

The OCC Board of Directors in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, Elisabeth Ross, identified three strategic priorities for Ovarian Cancer Canada for the next three years.

·         The development of a comprehensive communications strategy designed both to increase the profile of the disease in Canada and keep all our constituents informed of developments in the ovarian cancer community

·         The development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy that will secure a strong donor base that will allow us to develop, deliver and fulfill our support, education and research mandates

·         Continue to expand and develop a strong national volunteer network to help with education and fundraising programs in many communities across Canada

Mission

Ovarian Cancer Canada is dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer, providing leadership by:

·         Supporting women and their families living with the disease.

·         Raising awareness in the general public and with health care professionals.

·         Funding research to develop reliable early detection techniques, improved treatments and ultimately, a cure.

History

At age 57, Corinne Boyer succumbed to ovarian cancer and left behind a legacy. In 1997, her husband Patrick Boyer founded the Corinne Boyer fund which was dedicated to advancing research into ovarian cancer and raising awareness of the disease in Canada. In 1999, the name of the organization was changed to National Ovarian Cancer Association. Under the leadership of Executive Director Elisabeth Ross and the Board of Directors, the National Ovarian Cancer Association galvanized interaction between all those dealing with ovarian cancer: multi-disciplinary health care professionals, researchers, scientists, and women living with ovarian cancer and their families. A Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research was established and co-funded with the University of Ottawa, with Dr. Barabar Vanderhyden in the inaugural role. The organization spearheaded information symposia across the country. The National Ovarian Cancer Association also developed an award winning website and produced Listen to the Whispers, a program to educate well women on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

In 1998, Cheryl Brown and Debbe Gervin founded Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Canada. They were committed to increasing awareness of ovarian cancer and determined to make a difference in the lives of well women as well as those living with the disease. Working from a small office at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, Cheryl, Debbe and their successors built Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Canada into a nationwide membership-based organization. In 2002, the organization was renamed Ovarian Cancer Canada. The team went on to develop a range of unique information resources; among these were materials for husbands and partners, children and grandchildren, and younger women. Cheryl’s legacy lives on through the Cheryl Brown Outcomes Unit at Vancouver General Hospital, and a generous bequest to Ovarian Cancer Canada for research programs.

A new organization was formed in 2007 when the National Ovarian Cancer Association partnered with Ovarian Cancer Canada to become the country's only national charity dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer. Adopting the name "Ovarian Cancer Canada" and National Ovarian Cancer Association's sunflower logo, the new organization continues to build on the founding partners' mission.

Today, Ovarian Cancer Canada continues to capitalize on the strengths of its founding partners to efficiently and effectively do what is best for women living with the disease and their families, the broader ovarian cancer community, and the wider public.

** Source: http://www.ovariancanada.org/