Raising Bread & Funds With Challah Made Simple

We talk to OCRF fundraiser Simone Sann of Challah Made Simple on how discovering the increased risk of developing ovarian cancer in Ashkenazi Jewish women lead her to donate funds from every challah loaf sold. 

If lengthy Covid lockdowns and time spent forced in our homes brought us one good thing to break up the monotonous days and weeks, it is baking. While many were reigniting their passion in the kitchen and refining their expertise in the form of banana bread or cinnamon scrolls, Simone Sann was bringing joy to her friends and family through the form of challah (pron. Haa-Luh) – a traditional Jewish, sweet, braided loaf, typically eaten on Shabbat and major Jewish holidays. For Simone, her baking gifted something beyond the joy, passion and edible reward, it was the means to start her own business Challah Made Simple.  

“This is my creative outlet, a beautiful opportunity for connection and an offering of something unique and special to our Jewish community." 

Now, her sought after challah loaf creates long-term positive impact beyond satisfying the taste buds and stomachs of those who devour them. For every challah sale, Simone donates 10% of proceeds to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.  

Simone Sann, Challah Made Simple

Increased Risk of Ovarian Cancer in Ashkenazi Jewish Women

Ashkenazi Jewish women are 10 times more likely to inherit the BRCA gene mutation compared to the general population. If Ashkenazi Jewish women do in fact carry the BRCA gene, which is 1 in 40 chance, they have up to 70% chance of developing breast cancer and a 40% chance of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetimes. These astonishing figures can be attributed to marriage within the Jewish community over generations, making the gene more prevalent. 

I was shocked to learn that there was no early detection test for ovarian cancer, and I had been under the wrong impression that the pap smear tested for it."

Simone Sann

This means, to be proactive and preventative of developing breast or ovarian cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish women carrying the BRCA gene face ‘scan-xiety,’ a heightened responsibility to be diligent about their mammograms. However, there is no option to get a non-invasive, habitual scan or test on their ovaries, the only option is removing their ovaries – a preventative measure that comes with significant side effects, such as early menopause. This highlights the true, desperate need for an early detection test for ovarian cancer.  

Before 2018, Simone was part of the more than 50% of women who believed the pap smear detected ovarian cancer. 

“Back in 2018 I attended a Melbourne Jewish community event; an information session about the JeneScreen research project for the BRCA gene. I was shocked to learn that there was no early detection test for ovarian cancer, and I had been under the wrong impression that the pap smear tested for it.” 

Ovarian cancer: a low-survival cancer with limited funding for research

Currently, around 95% of all patients diagnosed with advanced stage (III-IV) ovarian cancer have serous carcinomas, which have an average five-year survival rate of only 29%. That is why finding an early detection test for ovarian cancer continues to be one of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation’s top priorities. 

Since 2000, the OCRF has relied on the wonderful generosity of community fundraisers like Simone Sann, corporate partnerships and philanthropists. As a result, the OCRF have been able to provide funding to many innovative research projects focused on early detection, treatment, managing recurrence and prevention. However, as seen across other reproductive cancers’ improved survival rates and more targeted treatment, it will take significant government funding to see ovarian cancer survival rates improve dramatically. The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation is working hard to advocate for more financial input by the government, into the ovarian cancer sector. 

In the meantime, you can find Challah Made Simple on Instagram or Facebook. Offering weekly Challah Dough Kits with instructions for kids, or novice bakers to make their own fresh delicious homemade challah, they also offer engaging art and craft packs linked to the Jewish Holidays. 

“I see it as hugely important work to raise awareness and funds for research. I really identify with the vision of the OCRF with its aim in the development of an early detection test for ovarian cancer, which will save all women from this insidious disease.”