Three reasons to advocate now
January 23, 2019
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.
Ovarian Cancer Canada has brought delegations of concerned Canadians to Parliament Hill to shine a light on the need for investment in scientific progress. Leading researchers participated in these efforts, working together to identify a shortlist of priorities that would help save lives – if the Canadian government invests an immediate and additional $10 million to support scientific progress against ovarian cancer.
Thousands of Canadians sent letters to their federal elected representatives. But there is still every reason to keep pressing:
Canadian researchers are poised for action
The scientific community focused on ovarian cancer in Canada is among the most collaborative and engaged in the world. In support of advocacy efforts, a group of leaders in the field collaborated with Ovarian Cancer Canada to identify research priorities that would have the greatest impact in the least amount of time. These recommendations comprise the Personalized Medicine Platform for Ovarian Cancer.
“We’re at the edge of impactful and important discoveries that stand to save the lives of women affected by ovarian cancer. This one time infusion of funding would be the catalyst that would enable us researchers to develop new treatments and mobilize clinical trials,” says Dr. Jim Petrik, a researcher at the University of Guelph whose work receives joint funding from Ovarian Cancer Canada and the Cancer Research Society.
“It’s critical that all of us do what we can to inform politicians about the significant need for dedicated ovarian cancer research funding, and about the unique nature of this disease because it behaves differently in comparison to other types of cancer,” he continues.
Advocacy efforts are working
In December 2018, the Standing Committee on Finance recommended funding of ovarian cancer research for consideration by Minister of Finance Bill Morneau. The recommendation reads:
Fund the Canadian Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium’s three research priorities and enable the Personalized Medicine Platform for Ovarian Cancer.
This was in direct reference to numerous presentations by Ovarian Cancer Canada and volunteer advocates at ongoing meetings with decision makers throughout the country.
New federal budget coming soon
The next federal budget is expected in February or March 2019, and the current government has been a strong champion of gender equality. So the community hopes the government will recognize the need to address women’s health equity with a legacy investment in ovarian cancer research.
“We live in a time where we are finally able to celebrate more and more the successes of fair representation of women in decision making positions. If only some of the other challenges facing women could be equally well addressed,” says Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden, Corinne Boyer Chair in Ovarian Cancer Research. “The Personalized Medicine Platform outlines what we believe will lead to the desperately needed breakthroughs in ovarian cancer treatments that could save women’s lives.”
With a federal election in October of this year, there are numerous opportunities for the government and opposition parties to make commitments to needed investments in ovarian cancer research. But it will ultimately take a groundswell of support to impact the upcoming budget.
How to help
Time is of the essence. If you are concerned about the status of ovarian cancer research funding in Canada, send a letter to your federal elected representative and encourage them to speak directly to the Minister of Finance about this urgent women’s health issue. Ovarian Cancer Canada’s online tool makes it easy for you to get a message to your rep in minutes.
Already sent a letter? Encourage your friends and family to do the same by reading your letter aloud for a social media video – be sure to tag Ovarian Cancer Canada in your post. At meetings and get togethers, share why funding for ovarian cancer research is important to you and invite people to go to ovariancanada.org to have their say.
Your donations help advance research through Ovarian Cancer Canada’s direct financial contributions and advocacy efforts like this one. Please give generously.