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• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance (OCRFA) is a not-for-profit organization devoted to ovarian cancer research, advocacy, and patient support.. The organization was formed in January 2016 when the former not-for-profit organization Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, which focused primarily on ovarian cancer research, combined with Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, which focused primarily on ovarian cancer advocacy and support programs, to form one organization.

History

The former Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) was founded in December, 1994, as the Ann Schreiber Ovarian Cancer Research Fund by Sol Schreiber in memory of his wife, Ann, who died of ovarian cancer. The organization later became the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. In 1997, Liz Tilberis, editor-in-chief of Harpers Bazaar and also battling ovarian cancer, became the organization’s first president. Prior to becoming Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund was the oldest and largest charity in the United States funding ovarian cancer research.

The former Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) was founded in 1997 by the leaders of several ovarian cancer organizations. The organization Cancer National Alliance was a leading ovarian cancer organization in the United States focusing on federal advocacy, awareness and patient support programs.

Research

As of December 2017, since inception of the original organization, OCRFA has awarded 275 research grants to scientists at 71 medical institutions, totaling over $75 million.

The majority of ovarian cancer research funding in the United States comes from two government sources—the National Cancer Institute and United States Department of Defense. OCRFA is the largest non-governmental funding source of ovarian cancer research. OCRFA research grants are approved by a committee of gynecologic oncologists and scientists treating or studying ovarian cancer.

Grant-Making Programs

Through grant-making programs, OCRFA funds scientific research at cancer centers and academic research centers in the U.S. The first grants were awarded in 1998. OCRFA offers three research grants:

• Collaborative Research Development Grant: OCRFA’s largest grant ($900,000 over three years) is for senior investigators with established research careers, and provides funding for large ovarian cancer research projects that involve several investigators within one institution or collaborations between groups in multiple institutions. ($300,000 per year for three years)
• Liz Tilberis Early Career Award: This award is for junior faculty, and supports a time commitment to research and academic endeavors in ovarian cancer. ($150,000 per year for three years).
• Ann and Sol Schreiber Mentored Investigator Award: This award was created in 2003, and funds clinical fellows or post-doctoral fellows working under the supervision of a mentor who is considered a leader in the field of ovarian cancer research. ($75,000 over one or two years)

OCRFA selects research projects through a peer-review process, conducted once each year by a panel of advisors called the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which is chaired by Jeff Boyd, Ph.D., of Florida International University and Miami Cancer Institute.

Less than 10% of applicants are awarded grants. Institutions that have received the most grants include University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Duke University, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

OCRFA presents an educational webinar series featuring speakers on topics in ovarian cancer research and addresses clinical trial enrollment with an ovarian cancer clinical trial finder on its website.

Advocacy

OCRFA works with federal policy makers, including the President, Congress, and federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). OCRFA commits its resources to be a voice for ovarian cancer survivors and to significantly reduce the number of deaths from this deadly disease by advocating at the federal level for:

• Adequate and sustained funding for ovarian cancer research and awareness programs.
• Legislation that improves quality of life and access to care for cancer patients.

Advocacy Day

Advocacy Day takes place on Capitol Hill. Ovarian cancer survivors meet one-on-one with elected officials to share their personal stories as well as ask for support on a number of federal efforts aimed at sustaining or increasing funding for federal ovarian cancer research, awareness and support.

Support

OCRFA's support programs focus on helping women and their families before, during and beyond diagnosis.

Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives®

Survivors Teaching Students: Saving Women’s Lives® aims to educate future healthcare professionals — physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and physician assistants — to increase their understanding of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors so that they will be able to diagnose the disease when it is in its earlier, most treatable stages..

Ovarian Cancer National Conference

The OCRFA Ovarian Cancer National Conference provides expert sessions on topics such as clinical trials, early detection, and treatment through various forums and lectures from renowned clinicians and researchers. Survivors and their families also can attend workshops and events on issues about living with ovarian cancer.

Woman to Woman Program

In 2011 the former OCRF began a national expansion of Woman to Woman, a local program originating at Mount Sinai Hospital. This program pairs volunteer gynecologic cancer survivors with women recently diagnosed and actively going through treatment, and offers information and support for caregivers. Woman to Woman program sites are selected through an application process. OCRFA gives each selected institution a one-year, $50,000 grant to cover the cost of a part-time program coordinator, with remaining funds allotted to a patient fund. Newly established Woman to Woman programs are expected to become self-funding after the first year.

Community Partner Program

OCRFA works with not-for-profit organizations across the United States to share information and put forth a unified national voice for the ovarian cancer movement. This program was established by the former Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and was formerly called the Partner Member Program

References

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