Our History
1997
When Corinne Boyer succumbed to ovarian cancer at 57 years old, she left an enduring legacy. In 1997, Corinne's husband, Patrick Boyer created the Corinne Boyer Fund to advance ovarian cancer research and to raise awareness of the disease in Canada. In 1999, the name was changed to National Ovarian Cancer Association (NOCA).
1998
Cheryl Brown and Debbe Gervin founded Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Canada. They were determined to make a difference in the lives of women living with ovarian cancer and in well women by increasing awareness of the disease. Working from an office at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, Cheryl and Debbe built Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Canada into a successful, membership-based organization.
1999
Under the leadership of the Executive Director, Elisabeth Baugh and the Board of Directors, NOCA galvanized interaction between all persons dealing with ovarian cancer by organizing the first Forum on Ovarian Cancer in1999 which included:
Multi-disciplinary health care professionals
- Researchers
- Scientists
- Women living with ovarian cancer and their families
The Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research was established and co-funded with the University of Ottawa, with Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden in the inaugural role. NOCA was instrumental in:
- Spearheading information symposia across the country to reach out to stakeholders
- Developing an award-winning website
- Producing Listen to the Whispers, an awareness program about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer
2002
The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Canada is renamed Ovarian Cancer Canada. The Ovarian Cancer Canada team developed a range of unique information resources. 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.
2007
A new organization was formed when the National Ovarian Cancer Association joined with Ovarian Cancer Canada to become the only national charity in Canada dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer. Adopting the name "Ovarian Cancer Canada" and the sunflower logo from NOCA, the new organization advances and builds on the mission of the founding partners.
2008
In March 2008, the tireless efforts of Ovarian Cancer Canada volunteers, staff and MP Mario Silva paid off when the Parliament of Canada proclaimed September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
2011
The Ovarian Cancer Canada Walk of Hope celebrated its 10th anniversary with the slogan 10 years, 10 million dollars, 10 times the hope. The signature event was founded in 2002 by Peggy Truscott, a dedicated volunteer who died of ovarian cancer the following year. Her legacy lives on in more than 40 Walks across Canada each September.
2012
LOVE HER, a glamorous evening of fashion, fun and food, was launched as another annual Ovarian Cancer Canada signature fundraising and awareness event.
The Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada awarded its Presidential Medal to Ovarian Cancer Canada for exceptional contributions to the field of gynecological oncology. This marked the first time the award was presented to an organization.
2013
On May 8, 2013, 29 organizations from 18 countries banded together to put ovarian cancer awareness in the international spotlight with the first World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD). Elisabeth Baugh, Ovarian Cancer Canada CEO, chaired the international planning committee, and Ovarian Cancer Canada staff played a lead role in the development of the WOCD website and toolkit. The event is so successful that Elisabeth was asked to chair again in 2014.
2014
Partnering for the first time with the Cancer Research Society (CRS), Ovarian Cancer Canada provided $180,000 for three grants. CRS is matching the amount to provide year two funding, effectively doubling our investment. This call for projects specific to ovarian cancer resulted in a record number of applications focused on the disease.
Imagine Canada, the national umbrella for Canada’s charities and non-profits, accredited Ovarian Cancer Canada under its Standards Program. At the time, only 109 charities out of over 80,000 nationwide had received accreditation based on demonstrated excellence in board governance, financial accountability and transparency, fundraising, staff management and volunteer involvement.
2015
Introduced in May 2015, By Your Side is a guide to support and inform women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Uniquely, it is a resource from the community for the community.
2016
A bold awareness campaign to get Canadians the facts on ovarian cancer launched in early 2016. Inspired by the strength of survivors, the campaign to spark conversations about ladyballs took the country by storm. As a result, there was a 118% increase in requests for support resources. Call volumes and engagement on social media also spiked as people joined the conversation about #ladyballs and ovarian cancer. The campaign won industry acclaim, garnering prestigious awards including two Cannes Lions and two Cassies.
With the aim of increasing awareness among our country’s politicians, a group of 13 volunteer advocates joined three board members and 7 staff from Ovarian Cancer Canada for the organization’s first ever federal lobby day.
Over the course of meetings with 42 MPs, Senators and decision makers; members of the delegation spoke on the injustices of ovarian cancer. In so doing, they urged political support of changes that would help turn around statistics, pointing out urgent needs for increased research funding, improved access to treatment, and genetic fairness.
A delegation representing Ovarian Cancer Canada was on hand when the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (Bill S-201) was first read in the House of Commons. Despite pressures to vote against the bill on the basis of its jurisdictional constitutionally, Liberal backbenchers swayed the vote in the House of Commons and the bill passed its third and final reading.
2017
An electronic petition to the Minister of Health was initiated to reinforce the need for government investment in ovarian cancer research. Calling for an additional $10 million in federal funding to advance work in prevention and treatments, it was signed by 4,152 Canadians. A further 8,551 people submitted handwritten signatures. The petition was read in the House of Commons by MP John Oliver on February 24.
Today
Ovarian Cancer Canada continues to capitalize on the strengths of its founders to efficiently, effectively and proactively meet the needs of women living with the disease and their families, the broader ovarian cancer community and the Canadian public.