Cure Our Ovarian Cancer is an organization dedicated to helping women with ovarian cancer live better, longer lives, with a particular interest in rare ovarian cancers. It was founded in 2018 and is based in New Zealand. The charity has two important focusses. Within New Zealand, it is the only charity dedicated to ovarian cancer. Outside of New Zealand it is the primary charity dedicated to low-grade serous ovarian cancer – working with charity partners in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and United States to fund research.
Within New Zealand, the organization works with patients, health practitioners and researchers to improve ovarian cancer outcomes in four key areas – awareness and education, support, advocacy, and research. As part of these efforts, Cure Our Ovarian Cancer has sent symptoms posters to GP practices nationally, taken a petition to parliament and in 2022 is establishing a support group and funding three research grants.
Outside of New Zealand, Cure Our Ovarian Cancer has another mission – to raise awareness of a rare and little-studied form of ovarian cancer called low-grade serous carcinoma. Cure Our Ovarian Cancer’s founder Jane Ludemann was diagnosed with this subtype in 2017. Internationally, the organization works to empower the low-grade serous community to support research to improve their survival and improve information availability on this cancer. As of 2022, Cure Our Ovarian Cancer and their charity partners have contributed to 8 low-grade serous cancer research projects across five countries.
Cure Our Ovarian Cancer also runs a successful international campaign for World Ovarian Cancer Day to raise awareness of issues relating to ovarian cancer, particularly in younger women. Their 2022 campaign featured in prominent locations including New York’s Times Square and Picadilly Circus in the UK, as well as other locations in the US, Canada and New Zealand with the support of businesses and volunteers.
Cure Our Ovarian Cancer was also a recipient of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition 2021 Impact Award for their work on the 2021 World Ovarian Cancer Day campaign which saw the group have billboards in Times Square in New York City and Piccadilly Circus in London, England.
For information on ovarian cancer in New Zealand, support groups, clinical trials and other resources, go to their website: https://cureourovariancancer.org/nz/
For information on low-grade serous ovarian cancer including support groups, clinical trials and research visit: https://cureourovariancancer.org