Robin’s Reflections – April 2026: White Shirt Campaign, Mother’s Day Classic & Research Milestones
April 16, 2026
As we get ready to announce another record year in our research grant-making program next week, the air at OCRF headquarters is electric with anticipation and activity.
Showing up and glowing up for the cause
April is a terrific month at the OCRF: we’re shining bright with the energy, glam and optimism of this year’s exceptional Witchery White Shirt Campaign, whilst simultaneously limbering up for epic colour and community at the Mother’s Day Classic on 10 May.
Two very different campaigns, both sharing the same critical success factors – bold teams making the magic happen, and dedicated, caring communities that give them wings to fly.
As I write this, I’m still buzzing from the emotion and beauty of our luncheon for the 2026 Witchery White Shirt campaign, held earlier this week at mimi’s in Coogee, NSW. In a room full of star power by the ocean, all eyes were on OCRF Ambassador Vanja Wilson and her husband Calum as they shared the story of how a diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer has forever altered the life they’ve worked for and dreamed of, leaving them, and their two young girls, living with an uncertain future.
I can promise you, no one was left wondering why this campaign is so important.
It’s extraordinary to think the campaign is now 18 years old and has raised close to $18 million – truly iconic, genuinely impactful. Hats off to the entire Witchery team, and all the stunning ambassadors who add new shine to this classic campaign year after year. I’m pleased to report that we’re 10 days into the month-long campaign and sales for the three gorgeous St. Agni-designed shirts are going strong. The campaign culminates on Friday 8 May – World Ovarian Cancer Day and, of course, White Shirt Day.
If you haven’t yet bought your shirt, I encourage you to head in store or pick up one online. We spotted Calum wearing the shirt, too, so it’s incredibly versatile. You can see all three styles on our OCRF White Shirt ambassadors below!
Bringing the teal zeal
Before long, it will be time to swap Witchery style for sneakers and a teal MDC tee, as we walk or run to stop ovarian and breast cancer in their tracks this year. There are 90 events happening all across Australia, and it’s fair to say that the Mother’s Day Classic has become a tradition for many families, especially those who find Mother’s Day tough to get through.
Thank you to everyone who has registered and are now fundraising for medical research. This is the third year that OCRF has been a partner in MDC, and we love seeing the increasing amount of teal zeal sparkling amongst the pink as Aussies turn out in droves to join this special event.
And talking about big numbers, we were also delighted to learn that the EARLY study, examining the feasibility of the OCRF-7 early detection test, has attracted more than 1,453 registrations of interest after only one month, with 667 women initiating the consent process. Recruitment for the study opened on 3 March, with a three-year target of 1,500 women - evidence, if we needed any, of the community’s desire to see urgent progress in early detection for ovarian cancer.
Together, we are really making a difference. Hope to see many of you hosting Witchery White Shirt events and/or striding out in teal on Mother’s Day over the coming month!
And as I said at the start, keep your eyes peeled for our incoming research grants announcement. (Insider tip – it may involve red shoes! What? How?!)
Let’s do this.
Robin
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