Stories of advocacy
Message from Elisabeth Baugh, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada
To so many of you who’ve joined in our advocacy journey over the past four years, my heart beams with pride following today’s Federal Budget Announcement as I say: Thank you! Thank you for shining an unwavering, uncompromising, and unstoppable spotlight on the need for more ovarian cancer research funding in Canada. Today, the Government of Canada has taken steps to invest in needed research which will translate into scientific progress against this disease. This announcement makes an important commitment to women’s health and equity in health care – and it is a milestone made possible because of you.
Women with ovarian cancer deserve the best possible care, regardless of where they live. This is why Ovarian Cancer Canada and community members are working to address the critical issue of a shortage of gynecologic oncologists in Saskatchewan.
For years, women and families affected by ovarian cancer have advocated for greater government funding of research into this disease. The fact remains that knowledge on ovarian cancer is still developing and much stands to be learned. But change is within reach and you can help, all it takes is five minutes.
A new international survey shows that Canadian women with ovarian cancer rate our government 4.6 out of 10 on efforts to address ovarian cancer. Current records show that research into this disease has been underfunded for years. With these shortfalls stalling scientific progress, survival rates have not improved in five decades.
This September, you can affect meaningful changes that help save lives. Seize the day – every day – to spark conversations about ovarian cancer by telling your friends, family members and even perfect strangers what they can do to help women living with this disease.
Backed by thousands of letters from concerned Canadians, three teams of delegates took to Parliament Hill earlier this month. Each was comprised of a researcher, a woman living with ovarian cancer, and a member of the Ovarian Cancer Canada team.
Nearly 230,000 women around the world are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. According to figures recently released by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition, this number is expected to rise by 55 per cent by the year 2035. The projected increase is largely attributed to the aging population, as those 50 and older are at higher risk for developing ovarian cancer.
Advocates pressing for increased government investments in ovarian cancer research are searching for answers following the announcement of Budget 2018. While the Standing Committee on Finance recommended ovarian cancer for funding consideration, nothing was specifically earmarked to support scientific progress in this area.
Last year members of the community continued to step up advocacy efforts to draw attention to the need for ovarian cancer research funding. Many people met with their elected officials and wrote letters to urge support. But the call for $10 million in added investment from the federal government has yet to be answered.
Today the genetic test information of people in Canada is protected by the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act (Bill S-201), which became law in May 2017. While Canada was the last of the G7 countries to have this legal protection in place, the legislation was not without its opponents. In fact, the Genetic Non-Discrimination Act may still be referred to the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether it should fall under federal or provincial and territorial jurisdiction. Already the Government of Quebec has directed its Minister of Justice to file a reference before the Court of Appeal.