In The News
2010 Survivors' Brunch
May 2, 2010 was a morning of sharing courageous stories, valuable information and delicious food at the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance's 4th Annual Survivors' Brunch at Westmoor Country Club in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Click here for a recap and pictures of the event.
Townsend Foundation
Faces of Hope
Gail Foreman speaks with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding her triumph over ovarian cancer. Click here to read the complete story.
Family revives Night of Wines for Rose
Rosemarie Wiatrowski-Travis passed away from ovarian cancer a year ago. To honor her memory, her family is reviving the Night of Wines for Rose, and raising money for WOCA. Click here to read the complete story.
Risk Assessment Test for Ovarian Cancer
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance believes it is important to inform the community of the following information:
A new risk assessment test for ovarian cancer, OVA1, is now available. Vermillion's OVA1 test, available only through Quest Diagnostics, Inc., is the first blood test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help physicians determine the likelihood that a woman's ovarian mass is cancerous or not, prior to a planned surgery.
OVA1 measures the levels of five protein biomarkers in a woman's blood to determine the likelihood of cancer. Approximately 20 percent of women with pelvic masses have cancer, but the proportion rises with age.
The results of the test may help a physician decide the type of surgeon who should operate on a patient with a pelvic mass. Data shows that women with ovarian cancer who have their surgeries performed by a gynecologic oncologist fare better, however many women have their initial surgery performed by a gynecologist.
OVA1 is not a screening test for ovarian cancer. A physician should use the test along with clinical exams and other tests.
For more information, refer to: www.QuestDiagnostics.com/womenscancers.html
Ovarian cancer tales warn of delayed diagnosis
Patients open up to medical students
By Mark Johnson of the Journal Sentinel, Posted: Sept. 20, 2009, Click here to read the article.
Milwaukee Brewers vs Houston Astros September 19, 2009
We "Turned Miller Park Teal". Teal tee shirts carried the symptoms of ovarian cancer on the backs of more than 300 people. The first pitch was thrown out for the Alliance by Ron Post. Rupena's Catering provided great food at a tailgate before the game. Brewers won....Final score Astros 2 Brewers 7.
Click here for more pictures.
Nancy's Run Rock n Stroll September 12, 2009
More than 800 people, survivors, families, friends and supporters got together on an incredibly beautiful day to raise awareness for ovarian cancer at Hart Park in Wauwatosa.
Click here for more pictures.
The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Invited to Testify on Capitol Hill
The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Considers Funding for the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program for FY2010
Thursday, June 24, 2009 (WASHINGTON, DC): Last week, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance testified before the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, Defense Subcommittee, to request $30 million for fiscal year 2010 for the Department of Defense (DoD) Ovarian Cancer Research Program. Cara Tenenbaum, Senior Policy Director for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, spoke on behalf of the ovarian cancer community and asked for an increase in funding because this is the only federal program that has the stated purpose of conquering this disease.
Since 1997, the Ovarian Cancer Research Program has received millions of dollars each year to fulfill its goal of eliminating ovarian cancer by stimulating and supporting innovative, multidisciplinary research efforts that will lead to better understanding, detection, diagnosis, prevention and control of ovarian cancer. The program uses a two-tier peer review system, including patient advocates in both levels of review. Reviews are made not only on scientific rigor, but on the impact the proposed research will have on the disease and patients. Much of this research has been published, patented and granted further federal funding by the National Cancer Institute and/or gone into commercial development.
"Last year, the Ovarian Cancer Research Program received $20 million, the largest amount ever appropriated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Program by the Committee. The size of the appropriation demonstrated the government's strong commitment to fight this deadly disease," said Tenenbaum. "However, this year we asked for an additional $10 million because so much more work must be done in order to eliminate this disease."
Some of the DoD program accomplishments to date include:
- * Discovery of biomarkers that predict survival
- * Discovery of the type of cells that control ovarian cancer
- * Understanding platinum drug uptake, which will be used to address chemotherapy resistance
The review board of the Ovarian Cancer Research Program meets annually to evaluate the science and determine funding priorities for the following year. This review, along with input from patient advocates and leading researchers, allows the review board to identify gaps in current research that need more funding.
"This program provides early funding, much like venture capital, particularly for new and emerging researchers, to encourage innovative exploration into ovarian cancer that will help move us toward the goal of bringing an end to this dreadful disease," said Karen Orloff Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. "We were asked to provide testimony at the DoD hearing because our organization is the leading advocate on ovarian cancer for the country."
>> Click here for a copy of Ms. Tenenbaum's testimony (PDF).
>> Click here for a copy of the Dear Colleague letter to see if your Senators support funding the program (PDF).
For additional questions about today's hearing, please contact Cara Tenenbaum, Senior Policy Director for Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, by email at ctenenbaum@ovariancancer.org or phone at 202.331.1332.
About the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance: Established in 1997, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is the foremost advocate for ovarian cancer in the United States. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization, leads the national initiative to conquer ovarian cancer. We unite individuals and organizations at the local, state, and national levels to advance ovarian cancer research, improve health care practices, and help raise public awareness of the symptoms about ovarian cancer.www.ovariancancer.org
On May 2, 2009 WOCA was a charity partner in the Wisconsin Marathon which was held in Kenosha along the Lake Michigan coastline at Harbor Park.
The Gathering, An Interactive Day for the Mind, Body and Soul
...was held on March 21, 2009. The Gathering is a conference tailored to empower African-American Women at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
"Menopause the Musical"
...was presented at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Tuesday, January 27th. The show was sponsored by the Jeanie C. Linders Fund who donated a portion of the proceeds to WOCA. The Alliance had a table where women could stop and get information about ovarian cancer.
WOCA was pleased to be part of the Women's Expo on November 22 and 23 at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall in Madison. The event was sponsored by Brava Magazine and it was estimated that over 10,000 people attended the event.
The Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Friends, Family & Supporters Turned the Towns Teal in September. September was Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, WOCA joined forces with several communities statewide for its biggest awareness campaign to date: Turn the Towns Teal. You saw teal ribbons around trees. Posters hanging in stores, gas stations, town halls and other buildings. Public service announcements on the jumbotron at Miller Park.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2008, WOCA, family, friends, and supporters turned Miller Park Teal. WOCA sold special ticket packages and threw out the first pitch at the Brewers Game.
On Friday, September 5, 2008, Kopp's Frozen Custard sponsored a "Teal Custard Day" at locations in the Milwaukee area. The frozen custard Ribbons 'N M&M's was available for purchase on National Ovarian Cancer Day. A percentage of the proceeds went to WOCA.
On Thursday, September 25, 2008, a Fashion Show was held at The Pendelton Store, Hilldale Mall, Madison. This was the only Pendelton store in WI observing Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Pendelton donated 10% of their proceeds for the evening to WOCA.
Saturday, September 6, 2008 was the Third Annual Nancy's Run Rock 'N Stroll in conjunction with TosaFest in downtown Wauwatosa. A special thank you to race director, Valerie Nolin and the Badgerland Striders for making this event a success.
Thank you for your support!