May 29, 2026

Toronto, ON — Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Cancer Research Society (CRS) are investing $200,000 in two new patient-centered research projects to improve treatment and prevention strategies for Canadians affected by ovarian and endometrial cancers.

The two successful projects share a common goal: to give Canadians greater agency, more treatment options, and fewer long-term physical and emotional impacts of treatment and disease. These projects were selected for funding through Ovarian Cancer Canada’s Research Impact in Survivorship and Engagement (RISE) Competition, an initiative designed, led, and determined by a patient committee. These investments reflect a longstanding commitment to placing the patient voice at the centre of scientific discovery. 

“It is not enough for us to consider success simply as the number of years added to a patient’s life. Canadians experiencing these diseases are not passive participants in this system; they are experts in the realities of diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and loss. That is why we, at Ovarian Cancer Canada, require the projects we fund to collaborate with patients from the beginning. Our core belief is that, when we put their voices at the centre of research, we redefine what better care means, and ultimately, improve the science. These projects challenge the status quo by focusing not only on survival, but autonomy, quality of life, and informed decision-making for all Canadians,” says Tania Vrionis, Ovarian Cancer Canada’s CEO.

“Patients involved in this ovarian and endometrial cancer research program make an essential contribution to advancing knowledge. Their experience helps deepen our understanding of the realities of the disease and sheds light on concrete issues related to treatment, quality of life, and the care journey. We believe that their active participation helps guide research toward priorities grounded in everyday realities and capable of generating meaningful impact. It is in this spirit that we support this program, which recognizes patients as true research partners, with the shared goal of building a more inclusive science focused on one common objective: sustainably improving life during and after cancer,” affirms Manon Pepin, President and CEO of CRS  

About the funded projects:

COMPARE Trial, led by Drs Amy Jamieson and Jessica McAlpine (BC Cancer)

• If successful, the study could help reshape cancer care by identifying which patients may safely receive less treatment without compromising outcomes. The goal is to reduce unnecessary side effects while maintaining effective care.

Patient-centred Hereditary Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Care in Canada, led by Dr. Lesa Dawson, MD, FRCSC (BC Cancer)

• The project aims to improve care for Canadians living with an inherited risk of ovarian cancer by providing clearer information for decision-making, supporting healthcare providers with consistent care tools, and strengthening survivorship support across the country.

The ultimate goal of Ovarian Cancer Canada-funded research is not only to extend survival, but to give Canadians the freedom to live fully, freely, and uninhibited by gynecologic cancers. Ovarian Cancer Canada has long championed the principle that research must be done with patients, not simply for them. Patient partners help researchers identify meaningful priorities, address barriers to care, and ensure findings are relevant and accessible to the people most affected. Patient voices informed the research priorities from the outset, ensuring that outcomes are measured not just in clinical terms, but in human ones.

“While patient engagement is already an integral part of our work, the process to select these two projects through the RISE competition took it to a new level – in fact, twenty-six patients and caregivers from 9 provinces and territories worked with us to co-design each and every element and patients had ultimate decision power. I am proud that the two funded projects also reflect this deep commitment to the patient voice – both are focused on addressing significant challenges raised by our patient community and have embedded patient partners as integral members of their research teams,” says Dr. Alicia Tone, Director of Research at Ovarian Cancer Canada.

 

For more information on Ovarian Cancer Canada’s research programs and the RISE competition, visit www.ovariancanada.org.

 

About Ovarian Cancer Canada 
Ovarian Cancer Canada is the only national charity dedicated to overcoming ovarian and endometrial cancers by advancing research, advocating for better care, and supporting those affected by the disease. The organization is driving progress toward more effective treatments and improved outcomes for patients across the country. 

 

Media contact:

Namrata Peri 
Director, Marketing and Communications, Ovarian Cancer Canada 
nperi@ovariancanada.org