Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

The former Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) was founded in December 1994, as the Ann Schreiber Ovarian Cancer Research Fund by Sol Schreiber in memory of his wife, Ann, who died of ovarian cancer. The organization later became the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. In 1997, Liz Tilberis, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar and also battling ovarian cancer,[2] became the organization's first president. Tilberis, with help from Donna Karan, started the organization's signature fundraiser, Super Saturday, hosting the first one in 1998 in the Hamptons in New York. Prior to becoming Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund was the oldest and largest charity in the United States funding ovarian cancer research.[3]

The former Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) was founded in 1997 by the leaders of several ovarian cancer organizations.[4] Prior to becoming the eventual merge of the two organizations, OCNA was a leading ovarian cancer organization in the United States focusing on federal advocacy, awareness and patient support programs.[5]

As of December 2018, since inception of the original organization, OCRA has awarded 297 research grants to scientists at 73 medical institutions, totaling over $80 million.[6]

The majority of ovarian cancer research funding in the United States comes from two government sources—the National Cancer Institute[7] and United States Department of Defense.[8] OCRA is the largest non-governmental funding source of ovarian cancer research. OCRA research grants are approved by a committee of gynecologic oncologists and scientists treating or studying ovarian cancer.[9]

OCRA works with federal policy makers, including the President, Congress, and federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). OCRA commits its resources to be a voice for ovarian cancer survivors and to significantly reduce the number of deaths from this deadly disease by advocating at the federal level[16] for:

• Adequate and sustained funding for ovarian cancer research and awareness programs.
• Legislation that improves quality of life and access to care for cancer patients.[17]

OCRA's support programs focus on helping women and their families before, during and beyond diagnosis.

The first OCRF ovarian cancer awareness broadcast and print public service announcements[24] were created in partnership with L'Oréal and featured Andie MacDowell.[25] Since then, OCRA has been included in print[26] and online publications, including books,[27] national and international magazines and local newspapers, as a resource for ovarian cancer information.

Contributions to public discourse on ovarian cancer in are done through various forums, including Letters to the Editor in The New York Times.[28][29]

The organization has four signature events. The earliest established, called Super Saturday, is an annual fundraiser held in Water Mill, New York. Super Saturday was founded in 1998 by fashion designer Donna Karan, and late OCRF President and Editor-In-Chief of Harper's Bazaar, Liz Tilberis. It is dubbed the "Rolls-Royce of garage sales"[30] by The New York Times, and has been hosted by Kelly Ripa and sponsored by Donna Karan, QVC and InStyle. Super Saturday includes a "garage sale" of new designer products, a live on-site QVC broadcast, a children's carnival, and other activities. In 2013, Super Saturday raised $3.5 million[31] for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

The Legends Gala was sponsored for several years by L'Oréal Paris, and is held every other year. A 2011 Gala was held at the American Museum of Natural History, and was hosted by Julianna Margulies. The gala has raised nearly $19 million since 2002,[32] and typically honors individuals from a range of industries. Past honorees have included Sherry Lansing, Trudie Styler, Terry Lundgren, and Kathy Black.

A signature "Stand Up for Madeline and OCRA" comedy event is held annually in tribute to Madeline Kahn, who died from ovarian cancer. Her husband, John W. Hansbury, joined the Board of Directors of Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and created the comedy event[33] which is held at Carolines on Broadway.

In 2012, Ovarian Cycle, formerly an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, became a signature event series of the organization.[34] Ovarian Cycle had previously held indoor cycling events to raise money for ovarian cancer research with the organization a national charity recipient of a portion of Ovarian Cycle's annual fundraising.

Through corporate sponsorships and cause-marketing campaigns, the organization has received support from a variety of companies. Some sponsors have included QVC, L'Oréal Paris, Electrolux, Alex and Ani, and LeSportsac.

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance has a four-star rating from independent charity evaluator Charity Navigator, and ranks among the top 10% of all four-star rated charities.[35] OCRA is also a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity that meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditation standards for charity accountability, and has had their seal since 2010.[36] Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance is a Silver-level GuideStar Exchange participant.[37] In October 2012, Self magazine ranked then-OCRF as one of the three best cancer charities.[38]

• "Ovarian Cancer, The Stealthy Specter," Hour Detroit, September 2012, Monica Mercer
• "Confronting the Silent Killer," The Jewish Week, October 10, 2012, Elecia Brown
• No Time to Die: Living with Ovarian Cancer, Liz Tilberis, Harper Collins, 1999