Robin’s Reflections – June 2026
June 10, 2026
Advocacy and action: helping ovarian cancer research to catch up
If philanthropic foundations like the OCRF didn’t exist, ovarian cancer research would be even further behind in Australia.
This is a simple fact; it reflects the critical role that philanthropy (and our staunch community!) plays in raising funds, expanding networks, connecting our community, leveraging government support – and working with partners and other funders to galvanise progress.
When I wrote my reflections last month, we were waiting for the Federal Budget to be handed down, and to find out if the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative (GCTI) submission would receive funding.
After 18 months of hard work and advocacy with our peers at Ovarian Cancer Australia and Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, we are still awaiting news – so we continue to work closely with Government and remain hopeful that the Government’s recent commitment to expand funding through the MRFF, and progress on a Low Survival Cancers Mission, will lead to a long overdue boost for ovarian and other gynae cancer research.
The case for support has been made. It is watertight.
So, whilst we continue to advocate and push forward with unwavering commitment, it’s also a time to reflect.
Off the back of a busy and exciting period of major events – the huge turnout for this year’s wonderful Mother’s Day Classic across the country, a gorgeous 18th Witchery White Shirt Campaign, our new partnership with Francesca jewellery – the passion and generosity of this community consistently blow me away.
An absolute highlight of this was the Coopers Foundation Annual Golf Day in Adelaide, which raised a phenomenal $171,500 for the OCRF and Australian Cancer Research Foundation. It was the best of days with the best of folks – and we couldn’t be more grateful for the effort put in and the results achieved.
Another highlight was a very special function at the historic Raheen estate in Melbourne ahead of World Ovarian Cancer Day, where the OCRF was hosted magnificently by the Spicer Family and Fiona Geminder of the Pratt Family.
Support like this fuels us in so many ways.
The end game, of course, is more, better and faster research, and the difference it makes. And on that front, there is just so much going on:
- Dr Dane Cheasley – An OCRF-funded project led by this Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre researcher is advancing understanding of treatment resistance in low grade serous ovarian cancer, which is a critical barrier to improving survival rates.
- Prof Carlos Salomon – Recent published work by this OCRF-funded researcher from the University of Queensland investigates the potential of a new way to deliver treatment straight to tumours while sparing healthy tissue - an important step toward solving one of cancer’s most persistent problems posed by standard treatments.
- Internationally, an ovarian cancer vaccine initiative led by the University of Oxford and supported by Ovarian Cancer Action UK – OvarianVax – is moving closer to clinical trials.
- In the United States, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance’s Discovery Lab and Living Lab are advancing gynaecological cancer research and patient-centred innovation.
- The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual scientific meeting highlighted promising developments in ovarian and other low-survival cancers, reinforcing the importance of sustained investment and collaboration.
Despite unprecedented pressures on medical research around the world, particularly in the USA, it’s inspiring and motivating to see fantastic progress being made. As Australians mourn the passing of melanoma research pioneer, Professor Richard Scolyer AO this week, his parting messages to researchers: ‘stay inquisitive and brave, and keep striving to break new ground’, and to the government and wider community: ‘please keep funding science and medical research’, could not be more relevant. His legacy is a powerful reminder of what sustained commitment and investment in research can, will and does achieve.
So please, give generously to our June tax appeal. Karyn Stamp and her family share their difficult story of living with ovarian cancer with courage and kindness. I wish them what I wish all of you – a healthy vital future for all those affected by ovarian cancer.
Warm regards for June,
Robin Penty, CEO
PS. Applications are now open for our 2027 National Research Grants program. One more week remains until they close!
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