Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
March 2010 - get involved!

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March is a really important time of the year for Ovarian Cancer Action.

Heightened awareness of ovarian cancer in the media provides a great opportunity for us to talk about the symptoms of the disease, and emphasise the need to diagnose it at an early stage.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month also provides a platform for women and their families to tell their stories - and for us to tell people about our work and raise funds for vital research.

“Symptom awareness is critical in the detection
and treatment of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month provides an ideal
opportunity to highlight the key messages for members
of the public and healthcare professionals around
ovarian cancer symptoms.”

Professor Sir Mike Richards, National Clinical Director for Cancer

Raise awareness

At Ovarian Cancer Action we are always working to raise awareness of the disease among women and healthcare professionals.
We get our messages across in many different ways – so talk to us about how you might like to help!

Joyce Ross:
“If it hadn’t been for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I would never have known I had ovarian cancer.

Last year I read about ovarian cancer in the Sunday Express ‘S’ Magazine and realised that for several months I’d been experiencing many of the symptoms mentioned in the article. I immediately visited my doctor and was referred to a consultant who found I had Stage 1C ovarian cancer.

I had a hysterectomy, followed by chemotherapy and I’ve recently been told my cancer is in remission.

I’m so thankful I read about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and realised I might have the disease. My early diagnosis and treatment mean that I have a much better chance of survival.”

• Share your story

  

  We would love to hear from you if you have a personal experience of ovarian cancer.
  Email your story to voices@ovarian.org.uk or call Dr Sarah Blacklidge on 0300 456 4707.

  Danni Kelman:
  “I’ve helped Ovarian Cancer Action by sharing my story in the media to get across a number of important messages – from how to recognise the symptoms of ovarian cancer, to offering hope to women undergoing treatment.

  Getting more closely involved with the charity has been a really positive experience for me.”

  Danni tells her story - view our short film

• Talk to the wider community

  Angela Osman:
  “Until my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer I wasn’t even aware of the disease and I feel very strongly that early diagnosis through greater awareness could save lives.

  I’ve organised several fundraising events where we handed out leaflets and posters, and I’m still selling pins. Our aim is to raise £1,000.”

• Organise a presentation

  Kirsty Flockhart:
  “Ovarian Cancer Action’s presentation to the women in my office was a very effective way
  to raise awareness. Until then I don’t think anyone apart from me knew much about the disease or its symptoms.

  During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month we’re going to display posters and leaflets around the office.”

• Spread the word online

  Ahead of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month we will be launching the UK’s first viral marketing campaign to
  encourage women to find out more about the symptoms of ovarian cancer – and to share them with the other
  women in their lives via email, or social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

  The aim is to spread the word to as many women as possible during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month – and beyond!

• Pick up a postcard

  100,000 ‘Remember the Symptoms’ postcards will be available at gyms across the UK during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

  See them at Fitness First, Virgin Active, Next Generation, Top Notch, Fitness Space, Soho Gyms and Third Space.

• Every Woman Should Remember - spread the word about symptoms

  

  During Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March, our website is hosting the UK’s first symptoms awareness campaign - Every Woman Should Remember.

  Every Woman Should Remember will inform women of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and encourage them to share them with the other women in their lives via email or social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

  Every Woman Should Remember aims to spread the word about symptoms to as many women as possible - and beyond!

• Get in touch

  To speak to someone about raising awareness, or to order a copy of our Awareness Raising Pack, call us on 0300 4564707 or email Dr Sarah Blacklidge - sblacklidge@ovarian.org.uk
  You can also download a copy of our Awareness Raising Pack [PDF, 10.8MB, new window will open]

Raise Funds

Ovarian Cancer Action’s Research Centre at Imperial College Hammersmith undertakes ground-breaking research into the causes of ovarian cancer and its treatment. This vital work is only made possible by the generosity of our supporters who work tirelessly to raise money for us.

Here are some suggestions of how you and your friends can have fun fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Action during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in March and beyond!

• Have a Love Women Pamper Party!

  Our Love Women campaign is all about celebrating women, so why not hold a Love Women Pamper Party during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? They are a great way to have fun with your girlfriends, and raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Action.

  Create a salon atmosphere with manicures, face packs and a glass of champagne. Then relax to watch a slushy film from LOVEFiLM.com.

  Go to www.lovefilm.com/partner/ovariancancer to sign up for a free 30-day trial and Ovarian Cancer Action will benefit from a £20 donation!

• Thank Frock it’s Friday – dressing up is the new dressing down

  If you want to do something different to show your support for Ovarian cancer Action, why not organise a Thank Frock it’s Friday event during March?

  Thank Frock it’s Friday provides the perfect excuse to make the most of your Christmas party frock or that glittery number you bought in the January sales - and it's a great way to end a busy week at work.

  For more information email Hannah Greenshields - hgreenshields@ovarian.org.uk

• The Cupcake Break – have your cake and help us beat ovarian cancer!

  

  The craze for cupcakes started stateside in a famous episode of Sex & the City and now you can buy them in any UK supermarket or coffee shop on the high street – cupcakes are all the rage!

  In March, Ovarian Cancer Action is launching its new fundraising campaign, The Cupcake Break, which is a fun twist on the traditional coffee morning. We hope it will be a real winner and that it will inspire more people to support the charity by holding their own Cupcake Break.

  The idea is simple, just ask everyone who attends to give a donation to Ovarian Cancer Action. They can either bring their own cupcakes to share, pay for the pleasure of enjoying your cupcakes or you could bake and decorate cupcakes together to enjoy later! You could even offer a prize for the most outlandish or lavish decoration!

  Become a member of The Cupcake Break group on Facebook to receive recipes and news throughout Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

  Visit www.thecupcakebreak.org.uk for more information on how you can get involved

• Celebrating Mums!

  Mothering Sunday is on 14 March, so celebrate with a Mother’s Day lunch or party for all the mums you know.

  Guests can make a donation to Ovarian Cancer Action for the pleasure of attending!

• Mother’s Day cards from Paperchase

  

  If you are looking for a lovely Mother’s Day card to send this year, why not buy one of the special cards created for Ovarian Cancer Action by Paperchase?

  They cost £1.75 each and 25p from every sale is donated to Ovarian Cancer Action.

• Oliver Bonas weekend bag

  This stunning weekend bag from Oliver Bonas is a glamorous accessory to give your mum
  – or yourself! In our signature teal colour it will brighten up any outfit.

  The bag costs £45 and Oliver Bonas will donate a generous £5 to Ovarian Cancer Action for every bag purchased.
  Buy the Voyager bag at Oliver Bonus

  Or take a look at the beautiful teal velvet jewellery roll from Oliver Bonas, which costs £14 and includes a £1 donation to Ovarian Cancer Action.
  
  Buy the jewellery roll at Oliver Bonus

  Find your nearest Oliver Bonas store

• Get active!

  Sign up for a sporting challenge and raise money for Ovarian Cancer Action.

  We need runners to participate in a new, all women, half marathon series – The Better Half – being organised by the national Women’s Running Network. It is the UK’s first all-female half marathon series, which is why we are doubly delighted to be one of two beneficiary charities.

  Remember, if you do sign up, you need to select Ovarian Cancer Action as your charity of choice.

  Visit www.womensrunningnetwork.co.uk for more information about the half marathon series

• Click to get fit!

  Email Hannah Greenshields at hgreenshields@ovarian.org.uk to find sporting fundraising challenges.

• Can we help?

  To speak to someone about fundraising for us, or if you would like a copy of our fundraising pack, please call us on 0300 4564704 or email fundraising@ovarian.org.uk