Robin’s Reflections – August 2026
August 13, 2026
Feathers, fast feet and facts
There is excitement in the air at the OCRF office. A flurry of feathers here, a shimmy of sequins there, and a vibrant vibe that can only mean one thing… Frocktober is almost here!
Registrations for Australia’s most fabulous and fashionable fundraiser opened a week ago, and we are off and running, with many keen Frockers already registered and ready to frock up for ovarian cancer research this October.
The team has designed a brilliant campaign for 2026, with a stack of fun new activities, including a new partnership with Fashion Thrift Society and other surprises in store, including more goodies from our great friends at Darrell Lea. If you haven’t registered yet, please get on board – fun times for a good cause are guaranteed.
A huge shout-out to Frockers Rhiannon Anderson and the School of Frock team, Gemma, Claire, Alicia and Georgie, who joined the Frocktober Ambassador line-up this year – don’t they look incredible!
Pictured: Frockers Alicia, Georgie, Rhiannon, Gemma and Claire.
As always, our community keeps showing up for the ovarian cancer cause in every way imaginable. Kudos to the amazing runners who hit the hills of Sydney’s eastern suburbs for the City to Surf recently and raised $33,000 for the OCRF. With the marathon season approaching, dozens of supporters are limbering up to go the extra mile for ovarian cancer research. Plus, our wonderful trek in Japan with Inspired Adventures next March sold out so quickly that we have opened a second trip to go immediately after – if you are thinking about it, sign up now so you don’t miss out!
And who could miss the North Queensland Veterinary Class 2027 with their annual Vets Uncovered calendar! These are caring work colleagues who go down to the bare essentials for the OCRF in honour of their dear friend – we loved this!
Our collective ‘why’
The reason we are all Frocking up, running, walking and trekking is, of course, to fuel the research that will provide the answers we all need for a brighter future. On that front, applications closed for the OCRF National Research Grants Program for 2027 a few weeks back, with a record number of project submissions – the highest number of applications in our history. This indicates the huge potential for progress, and demand for philanthropic funding in the face of impossibly competitive government grants and reduced international opportunities. As an independent funder, advocate and enabler of research in this country, our role in filling critical gaps has never been more important. It is a complex landscape, that’s for sure. As AI forges a growing role in our daily lives, raising the stakes in terms of medical misinformation – alongside increasing levels of public mistrust of traditional institutions – respected charities like the OCRF remain a trusted voice.
All over it
In recent months we have published a number of research explainers on our website covering some key topics in our community. These include a story about the surprise upside of the oral contraceptive pill; an article setting out the potential - and shortcomings - of a new blood test being touted by a commercial company as an early detection test for ovarian cancer; some interesting developments for ‘OvarianVax’ emerging from Oxford University in the UK, as well as an explainer about the CA125 test, and its role (and limitations) in ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Combined with our ongoing public education series, All Over It, our team is committed to providing ethical, evidence-based information and education to help ensure there is a platform for authentic science, evidence and data.
With your ongoing support, we can ensure that genuine facts get traction – because that’s the only way we will achieve the change we want to see.
Warm regards for August,
Robin Penty, CEO
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