OvaCare

OvaCare is an ovarian cancer support charity and part of our mission is to improve education around ovarian cancer and to increase awareness. OvaCare was co-founded by June Feeney and Rachel McKeon in 2011, following their own personal experiences with ovarian cancer. They both felt there was very little support in Ireland for women and their families affected by the disease, and they believed strongly that OvaCare could help provide this support as well as ‘giving a voice’ to the disease. Our mission is to elevate awareness, accelerate diagnosis and educate women affected by ovarian cancer within Ireland, to source and share knowledge of developments in global research and best practice with the OvaCare community and to provide support and advocacy through OvaCare’s dedicated support networks. OvaCare are committed to good governance and are committed to continuing compliance with the Charity’s regulator.

Annual Patient Days take place across Ireland which provide information and support for ovarian cancer patients and their families. It provides the opportunity to hear from leading clinicians, therapists and researchers specialising in the disease, as well as being a chance to meet fellow patients. The response to these days has been astounding; with many patients stating that they ‘no longer feel alone’. We have established ovarian cancer support groups and run “coffee and chat” events each month across the country. From our events it is clear that women would appreciate the opportunity to meet with others going through similar experiences on a regular basis for support and encouragement.

Ireland has an active gynaecological cancer support, advocate, research and care community. In recent years this has formalised and expanded into the Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology (INGO), [https://isgo.ie/irish-network-for-gynaecological-oncology/]. OvaCare is a partner of INGO. The aim of the INGO is to raise awareness of gynaecological cancers across the Island of Ireland. The group are part of an international effort for 3 major awareness events: World Ovarian Cancer Day (WOCD) May 8th, Uterine Cancer Awareness Month and World Gynaecological Oncology (GO) Day Sept 20th.