Home Stories & Media Feature Stories 2014 The power of partnership
Ovarian Cancer Canada continually forms partnerships that generate research dollars and make more women aware of their risk factors for ovarian cancer – the country's most fatal women's cancer.
"Strategically, we aim to increase ovarian cancer research funding, stimulate research in this field, enhance support for women living with the disease, and spread awareness about risk and familial predisposition to ovarian cancer," says Elisabeth Baugh, CEO. "Our partnerships with research organizations and health care associations provide support and help us achieve our mission while using donor dollars wisely."
Introducing a new partner
An exciting new partnership with the Cancer Research Society is enhancing funding for basic or discovery research in ovarian cancer. It also sparked a dramatic response from Canada's scientific community.
Ovarian Cancer Canada is funding the first year of three $60,000 research grants for a total of $180,000 in 2014, and the Cancer Research Society will match this for the second year of the projects. "Beyond leveraging our investment in research, we are stimulating science focussing on ovarian cancer," says Elisabeth.
In 2013, prior to the creation of the partnership with Ovarian Cancer Canada, the Cancer Research Society received 26 proposals for ovarian cancer research funding during its annual Operating Grant Competition. In 2014, after promoting the partnership and the designated funding envelope for ovarian cancer research, the number of applications more than doubled to 66.
One of the most succesful partnerships
"You can see the impact when you tell the scientific community about the partnership and the reserved funds for ovarian cancer," says Andy Chabot, President and CEO of the Cancer Research Society.
"I would argue that it's probably one of the most successful partnerships in terms of the percentage increase in applications for funding in a specific area of cancer," adds Dr. Mario Chevrette, former Scientific Director and now a volunteer with the Society.
The Society funds research on all types of cancer through grants awarded nationwide based on excellence and merit as determined by a rigorous peer review process. Of the 386 grant applications received for all types of cancer research in 2014, the three projects to receive Ovarian Cancer Canada funding include one of the top-ranked proposals in the competition – and all three ranked in the top 50. Ovarian Cancer Canada is sponsoring three of seven ovarian cancer projects being funded this year. Funding announcements will be made soon.
"I hope that this is the first year of a long partnership, where women affected by ovarian cancer will definitely benefit," says Dr. Chevrette.
More matching research funds
Another example of leveraging research funds involves Ovarian Cancer Canada's support of COEUR, a collaboration focused on learning more about the causes of ovarian cancer and the best courses of treatment.
"To accelerate this initiative, which examines ovarian cancer biomarkers, we are providing funds that will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Terry Fox Research Institute," explains Elisabeth. "Collaborative projects like this are one of the ways Ovarian Cancer Canada maximizes every contribution we receive from our donors."
GOC and other partners
As Canada's only charity dedicated solely to overcoming ovarian cancer, Ovarian Cancer Canada has a special relationship with the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada (GOC). This group represents the gynecologic oncologists, nurses and other health professionals who care for women with gynecologic cancers, and scientists who conduct research in this field.
On behalf of Ovarian Cancer Canada, Elisabeth Ross (centre) and Bruce Galloway (right) accept the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada's 2012 Presidential Medal from Dr. Michael Fung Kee Fung. The award recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of gynecological oncology. The two organizations have a long-standing partnership.
"GOC keeps us informed about the needs of the women who they are interacting with and needs related to science moving forward," says Elisabeth. "They help us with messaging and identifying gaps in terms of treatment and best practices. Moving forward, they will also help inform our government relations program."
There is a GOC representative on the Ovarian Cancer Canada board of directors, working alongside representatives from several other partner organizations including The College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology.
"Many of our partnerships help us to be part of a louder voice when advocating for change," says Elisabeth.
Ovarian Cancer Canada has partnerships with universities that have helped to develop ovarian cancer educational programming for medical professionals. For the past two years, the charity has taken a lead role internationally for World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8. Ovarian Cancer Canada has partnerships with organizations to designate grants and awards for health professionals who demonstrate outstanding work in the field of ovarian cancer.
Other partnerships focus on a range of topics including support for women living with cancer, end of life issues, genetic fairness, access to drugs and more.
Reputation as a good partner
As Vice President of National Programs and Partners for Ovarian Cancer Canada, Kelly Grover believes the charity "has a good reputation as a partner because we are easy to work with. We are innovative, creative, approachable and nimble. We are always thinking about the best way to spend each dollar and to reach more women."
"Partnerships build our knowledge, increase our reach, help us understand the issues for women and get us to places that perhaps we wouldn't get to on our own. When you stand shoulder to shoulder with other organizations, it's very powerful and efficient."
See our October issue of Seeds of Hope Newswire for an article on a special partnership with Toronto's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.