Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation

Meet the six superstars of ovarian cancer research! For the first time in OCRF history, we are proud to announce that funding has been granted to promising research ideas in the form of Proof of Concept grants. This critical foundational funding allows researchers to test innovative ideas and build evidence that could lead to further funding from a range of sources. Six proof- of-concept grants totaling $1.4m have been awarded as part of the OCRF’s National Research Grants Program 2026. This type of funding often supports early to mid-career medical researchers, but it has been increasingly difficult to obtain in Australia’s highly competitive funding environment. These critical grants have been made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors, corporate partners and fundraisers. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of these exciting projects as they progress! The grants program is part of the OCRF’s largest ever annual funding pool of $4.6 million for 2026. Read more via the link in bio. #ocrf #ovariancancer #ovariancancerresearch #researchgrants

The OCRF will distribute its largest-ever funding pool of $4.6 million in 2026 – highlighting growing community support for ovarian cancer research. Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful donors, we are excited to announce $2.6 million in new grants to support eight projects through the OCRF National Research Grants Program. This includes two major grants for high-priority projects plus six new proof-of-concept grants to enable high-potential projects to establish foundational data. A further $2 million is earmarked for an expanded Partnership Grants program to be announced soon. The total $4.6 million commitment reflects the direction set out in our Research Impact Strategy 2025-30: more, better, faster. Congratulations to all the recipients. We can’t wait to see what this funding will help you learn and do. Together we can overcome ovarian cancer. @mothersdayclassicaus @petermaccancercentre @westmeadinst @sydney_uni @materqld @uniofqld @unsw @qutrealworld @monash_uni @monash_health @just_betsy @dr.maree.b

Ovarian cancer facts you need to know: -Almost 2,000 new cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed annually in Australia, and over 70% are detected at an advanced stage. - It is the most lethal gynaecological cancer: more than half the women affected will die within five years from diagnosis -If nothing changes, the number of cases is projected to rise by nearly 57% over the next 25 years. -Alarmingly, incidence in young women and girls (0–44 years) increased by 61% between 2001–2025. -Nearly half of Australian women mistakenly believe a Pap smear can detect ovarian cancer. It can’t. There is currently no routine screening nor an early detection test. - Although the symptoms are often vague, knowing what to look out for is vital. - The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are: increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating, feeling full after eating a small amount, abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain, needing to urinate often or urgently. This Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: learn the symptoms, know your risk, spread the word and support vital research via the link in bio. #OCAM2026 #StrongerTogether #ovariancancer #cancerresearch

📢 Ovarian cancer researchers in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand: we want to hear from you! The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation’s National Research Grants Program is now open. Expressions of interest are invited from investigators focused on discovery and translational laboratory-based research. 📅Applications close 15 June 2026 9am The OCRF is dedicated to funding innovative research and projects that hold translational promise across prevention, early detection and treatment. Through funding research, our vision is of a future where all those impacted by ovarian cancer live healthy lives. We know research funding, particularly for less common cancers with rare subtypes like ovarian cancer, is scarce. This is why we’re so proud of the OCRF community’s generosity, as their donations continue to make it possible for us to provide grants to the most cutting-edge applications. Expressions of interest and invited full applications will undergo robust assessment by the OCRF International Scientific Advisory Committee and Lived Experience Advisory Panel. Further information and details on eligibility and criteria can be found on the OCRF website - link in bio.

Our brand new OCRF merch is here! 💙 Say hello to your new favourite teal singlets and t-shirts, designed with purpose and brought to life in collaboration with @sub4apparel Made for your next run, walk or event, and perfect for everyday wear too, this collection is all about showing your support in style. Shop now via the link in bio.

The much-needed increase to the Medical Research Future Fund announced in the Federal Budget is a critical FIRST step for Australia’s health and research future. But for women with gynaecological cancers, the wait continues. Every day, 19 women are diagnosed. More than six will lose their lives. And for many women’s cancers, survival outcomes haven’t changed in decades. The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG), the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Australia are united in calling for this funding to translate into meaningful action for gynaecological cancers. We will continue to work with the Government to ensure that the longstanding gaps across prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, survivorship and supportive care are addressed urgently. This is a moment of opportunity — and responsibility. Read our joint statement - link in bio #GynaecologicalCancer #WomensHealth #MedicalResearch #MRFF #HealthEquity #Strongertogether @markbutlermp @rebecca_white_lyons @healthgovau @ocrf_ceo @shielldebbie @davidpocock

For the second time, @davidpocock has stood up in the Senate and spoken about Heidi and about the real human cost of underfunding women’s health, and particularly ovarian and gynaecological cancer research. In a chamber that too often prioritises noise over substance (god, the name calling and finger pointing is exhausting), he keeps choosing to speak about things that matter. As I said in my speech at Parliament House in October “…every dot on a graph — from the top to the bottom of a curve or a cluster — represents a life. A whole person worth knowing. Worth fighting for.” Thank you, David. Our family is grateful that you keep showing up for this. And thanks to my wonderful mum @binbarnier who never stops fighting for Heidi and other families like ours 🥹❤️‍🩹

WHAT A DAY! We’re still riding the high (and catching our breath) from yesterday, but first, a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing community right across Australia 💙🩷 Our third year at the Mother’s Day Classic was something special, thanks to every runner, walker, and supporter who showed up for ovarian and breast cancer research. Huge shout out to the whole MDC team, the amazing volunteers, the sponsors, suppliers and media partners who make the magic happen. More than 90 events around the country - simply EPIC! There’s still time to make an impact! Fundraising pages are still open for any final donations. We can't wait to find out the final fundraising total in a couple of months' time. #MothersDayClassic #mdc#OvarianCancerAwareness #OvarianCancerResearchFoundation #OvarianCancer #ocrf #OvarianCancerResearch

Volunteering for Mother’s Day Classic, raising awareness and funds for breast and ovarian cancer. Wonderful turnout, activities, the corn toss was a fav. Thanks Aimee from @ocrf & all the volunteers. Happy Mothers Day to all Mums. ❤️

Today, on World Ovarian Cancer Day, we are announcing our second $1 million USD AI Accelerator Grant. This is the second grant from the Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium, a global partnership of four leading ovarian cancer charities: Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (USA), Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (Australia), Ovarian Cancer Canada (Canada) and Ovarian Cancer Action (UK). This $1 million in research funding, alongside in-kind compute support from AWS @amazonwebservices will build on the consortium’s first AI Accelerator Grant to harness the power of artificial intelligence, scientific collaboration, and global philanthropy to drive faster progress. AI is already revolutionizing cancer diagnosis — from breast to brain, skin to thyroid — with stunning advances. But ovarian cancer has yet to feel the full power of this transformation. Together, we are determined to change this. Applications now open. Learn more about the $1 million AI Accelerator Grant - link in bio.

Honoured to host a powerful panel with these amazing women @drshamikath @thisisamywilson raising funds for the @ocrf while exploring the complexity of women’s health and closing the gender health gap a mission close to all our hearts. Because despite all the advances in modern medicine, women are still waiting too long to be heard, too long to be diagnosed, and too often having their symptoms minimised. On average, it can take up to 31 weeks for a woman to receive a diagnosis in conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cancer — and in that time, disease can progress, risk can increase, and outcomes can worsen. As a result of -stigma, -systemic underfunding, historical representations of women, -inadequate medical training, -lack of awareness and education, and insufficient resourcing of medical research, ovarian cancer remains the most lethal reproductive cancer 🌺Despite overall cancer survival rates having risen to 72% in the last 30 years, the five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer remains below 50%, and much lower for advanced disease. 🌺The latest figures now describe ovarian cancer as a common cancer for females, with almost 2000 diagnoses of women and girls per year. 🌺At least 35% of those diagnosed are under 60 years of age. But beyond the statistics, this is about lived experience. It’s about women sitting in doctors’ rooms, being told to wait… to come back later… that it’s probably nothing. It’s about the quiet erosion of trust in a system that should be protecting them. 🌺And this morning we bring together extraordinary women who are changing that narrative. Women who have lived it. Women who are treating it. And women who are speaking up — often at great personal and professional cost — to ensure better outcomes for all of us. Because this conversation isn’t just about awareness. It’s about action. Thankyou to @lilspicfor your tireless dedication to this cause as a survivor and an advocate and to @fiona.geminder for your wonderful support for this event

For the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, World Ovarian Cancer Day on 8 May is also White Shirt Day. It marks the culmination of the month-long Witchery White Shirt campaign, raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research in the most stylish way possible! HUGE thanks to everyone who bought a shirt, hosted an event, used their voice and platform as an ambassador, supported the campaign with media coverage or got behind it as a supplier or media partner. The Witchery White Shirt campaign is an incredible collective effort, creating change for a disease that takes such a terrible toll. Biggest thanks of all to the @witcheryfashion team for their passionate commitment to this cause. $18 million raised since 2008 – and counting! Shirts are still available in Witchery stores and online, buy yours today. This White Shirt Can Help End Ovarian Cancer.