Robin's Reflections – September
September 01, 2025
A sparkling night of remembrance and celebration
2025 marks 25 years of the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, with the centrepiece of our celebrations being the OCRF’s Silver Anniversary Gala Dinner on 14 August. It was a powerful, grounding and moving night, as we reflected on the impact this foundation has made over the past 25 years.
When I looked up to see AAMI Park illuminated in teal, lit especially for this occasion, it felt like the perfect tribute to everyone who has contributed to our cause.
The OCRF was founded 25 years ago to fill a crucial gap: the lack of funding for ovarian cancer research. A quarter of a century on, the reality remains sobering. Ovarian cancer is still the deadliest gynaecological cancer, less than half of women diagnosed will not survive more than five years’ time, and as you well know, treatments are limited and unchanged in decades.
In a country celebrated for medical breakthroughs, this is unacceptable. For too long, ovarian cancer has been underfunded, under-researched and overlooked.
Yet, standing in that room, I felt profound optimism for the next 25 years.
We were honoured to host the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health, and Women, Rebecca White MP and OCRF co-founder Prof Tom Jobling. Both spoke compellingly about ovarian cancer, the impact of this insidious disease on individuals and families, and the importance of funding for research and care.
We celebrated some very special contributors with Community Recognition Awards and highlighted new multi-year commitments from the Quinn Femelle Foundation and the Scoleri family, as well as the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation’s announcement of a $1.37 million donation – one of the largest donations in OCRF’s history.
What we’re experiencing right now is more than momentum - I think of it as updraft. In aviation, updrafts are crucial for soaring, while in other contexts, they can refer to a surge or an increase. The collective energy of researchers, donors, families, ambassadors, peers and advocates is continuing to lift up this cause to greater levels of public awareness – and we’ve generated a significant case for addressing the structural funding shortfall through more financial investment.
The next 25 years must deliver transformation, not incremental progress. That will take courage, collaboration, investment and persistence. But I believe we are arising now, and we mustn’t let this moment pass.
#Frocktober2025
Speaking of moments, Frocktober is almost upon us for 2025. This year, Australia’s most fashionable fundraiser shines brighter than ever, thanks to the incredible pro bono support from the team at Noisy Beas and with some of the nation’s most loved personalities lending their voices and style, including music icons Vika & Linda Bull, broadcaster Myf Warhurst, and disability advocate and ovarian cancer survivor Carly Findlay OAM, alongside seven passionate OCRF community ambassadors. This year we are calling on everyone to frock up their way, to support ovarian cancer research.
Sign up and be part of the frocking fun at Frocktober.org.au.
OCRF Advocacy
There’s a lot happening within our organisation and across the sector, both nationally and internationally. I was delighted to meet with Minister Mark Butler recently, alongside with the senior leaders from the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative project. The Minister listened carefully to our proposal and asked deeply informed questions about these cancers. It was an encouraging moment for our collective advocacy!
Members of our team will be travelling to Denver Colorado this month to attend the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) biennial ovarian cancer research conference, and further develop the work we are doing with our international partners on the Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium (GOCRC). I look forward to sharing the outcomes of those meetings with you next month.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Everything we achieve, we achieve with you beside us.
Warm regards,
Robin Penty, CEO
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