Powerful together: Highlights from the World Ovarian Cancer Day Symposium
June 15, 2021
Nearly 300 people from across Canada tuned in on May 8 for Ovarian Cancer Canada’s World Ovarian Cancer Day Symposium, where attendees heard directly from experts and connected with fellow members of the community.
All the way from London, Annwen Jones, Vice-Chair of the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition and Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer in the UK, helped set the stage: “World Ovarian Cancer Day is a time when communities, like this one, rally for a world in which every woman with this disease has the best chance of survival and the best quality of life, wherever she may live.”
In her address, Annwen also acknowledged Ovarian Cancer Canada CEO Elisabeth Baugh for her leadership of the Coalition. “It was a landmark day when Elisabeth volunteered to chair the first World Ovarian Cancer Day. She was convinced that more had to be done internationally to propel this cause. And she wasn’t alone, as the international community roared with approval.”
Symposium attendees heard about Ovarian Cancer Canada’s multimillion-dollar research initiative, OvCAN, from Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden, Chair of the OvCAN Governing Council and Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research at the University of Ottawa. She spoke on progress to date and provided firsthand accounts of collaboration between scientists and oncologists dedicated to improving the lives of women with ovarian cancer. “There is no competition here. Decisions are made collaboratively and strategically with the aim of identifying those projects that will best serve the research community and ultimately, all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.”
The response to her presentation was overwhelmingly positive. “Your passion gives me hope,” said one attendee. “But what I really appreciate is the respect you have for each other and the desire to be collaborative. So inspiring.”
Young researchers, or trainees, spoke about their projects, sharing directly with the very women they are working for. Hearing from the next generation of ovarian cancer researchers was exciting for many. Board member Erin Barrett, who was diagnosed in 2015, saw potential for women of science to inspire an even younger generation. “Talk about role models,” she said. “I am going to show these faces and share their stories with my kids – especially my daughter.”
The community also had the opportunity to meet OvCAN Patient Partners, women living with ovarian cancer who inform research with their personal perspectives and lived experiences. During the panel discussion, Patient Partners explained their involvement and what it’s like to be at the decision table. “I’ve been told repeatedly that many researchers never get to meet a real survivor,” said Anne Chase, a Patient Partner who was diagnosed 23 years ago. “By sharing our cancer journeys, we can help make it real for scientists and researchers. They can learn from our stories. They share in our emotions. They can gain an understanding of our experiences and our fears.”
In response to meeting the Patient Partners, one attendee said: “Your voice and experience make a difference and help to make improvements. Hope truly lives here.”
If you would like to see recorded sessions from the World Ovarian Cancer Day Symposium, go to the Webinar Series page on the Ovarian Cancer Canada website.
The work and progress highlighted over the course of the Symposium is made possible by the generous donations of people like you. To ensure this important momentum continues, please donate at ovariancanada.org/donate.
This event was supported by Presenting Sponsor GSK, and sponsors Stewart McKelvey and Pheedloop.