This year’s New Zealand Society of Oncology (NZSO) conference, Cancer and the Community, brought together clinicians, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience to share ideas on improving cancer care across Aotearoa.
Our founder and trustee, Jane Ludemann, and trustee, Dr Alicia Didsbury attended, and were inspired to see researchers the Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand (OCFNZ) have supported presenting their findings. The conference was a powerful reminder that progress happens when people come together, and that our community’s support is making a real difference.
Our 2024 grant recipient, Helena Abolins-Thompson, was a finalist for the Pharmac Emerging Researcher’s Award. She shared her research using 3D tumour models from tissue donated by Māori wāhine to better understand how ovarian cancer differs biologically in Māori.
“Funding from OCFNZ gave me the opportunity to develop improved models of ovarian cancer and investigate the effect of chemotherapy in these models, using modern technologies that are only now starting to gain traction in Aotearoa. It is so important that we make sure our unique populations are represented in these innovative types of data to ensure we are at the forefront of any new developments in ovarian cancer. This would not have been possible without the generous support from OCFNZ, so I am extremely grateful.” – Helena Abolins-Thompson
Conference attendees also heard from Dr Magda Ratajska, another OCFNZ grantee, who presented the results of her cross-platform validation project aimed to develop an affordable and accurate test to identify which women with high-grade ovarian cancer will benefit from PARP inhibitor treatment.
Both projects were supported through our research funding programme, funded by our incredible community through donations, regular giving and fundraising.
The recognition of these researchers highlights the quality and impact of their work and the growing national attention on ovarian cancer research.
Another highlight from the conference came from Medical Oncologist Dr Michelle Wilson, who discussed her work to bring clinical trials from Auckland to other regions of New Zealand to make trials more accessible and allow people to participate in their local communities.
OCFNZ has provided funding to help more women with rare types of ovarian cancer take part in one of these trials, the MoST study which in the process of being expanded into Northland, Waikato and Canterbury. By supporting projects like this, we’re ensuring more women have the opportunity to take part in studies that could shape future treatments.
Dr Heather Cunliffe, another OCFNZ grant recipient, was the meeting co-convenor and co-chaired a session on “Earlier Diagnosis: Innovation in Early Detection” showing the leadership and expertise growing within the ovarian cancer research community.
Our trustee Dr Didsbury presented findings from her immunotherapy research on ovarian cancer, and our founder Jane shared updates on our expanding research, support, and advocacy work. Their contributions highlighted the value of researchers, clinicians, and advocates working side by side to drive progress.
The conference included a presentation discussing experiences of endometrial cancer among Māori and Pacific women, which shared similarities with the experiences we hear from our NZ ovarian cancer community. The researchers identified an opportunity to strengthen cervical screening by educating women on misconceptions and symptoms. We have been advocating to include gynaecological education within the cervical screening programme since 2021, and will look to collaborate with others with a shared vision.
It’s encouraging to see researchers and advocates across the country calling for change and working towards a more informed, equitable health system for all women.
We’re incredibly proud of the researchers we’re supporting and the impact they’re making. Seeing their work recognised on a national stage shows what’s possible when a community unites around a shared goal.
Our mission is simple. To improve ovarian cancer care today while funding transformational research for tomorrow’s cure.
Every donation, partnership, and conversation helps move us closer to that, thank you for being a part of that.
