Meet OCFNZ’s Patron, Ele Ludemann
What is your connection to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand? My daughter asked me to be a trustee when she founded the charity in 2018, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I stood down in 2020 when new Trustees joined the board. I am delighted that the current trustees and staff bring a wide […]
2025 Ovarian Cancer grants awarded
The Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand (OCFNZ) is thrilled to announce the 2025 ovarian cancer grant recipients. The major research grant was awarded to Dr Qi Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland. Dr Chen is studying opportunities to inhibit ovarian tumour growth by investigating how placental extracellular vesicles can act […]
OCFNZ-Funded Researchers Take Centre Stage At National Oncology Conference
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 […]
Over $90,000 raised for ovarian cancer research
The Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand’s Long Lunch at the JW Marriott Auckland on 3 October 2025 was an unforgettable afternoon, full of connection, conversation, and contribution The event was the brainchild of Malcolm MacLeod, and was created to raise funds for ovarian cancer research. Malcolm was inspired to take action after his wife’s diagnosis, […]
OCFNZ to Increase Access To MoST Clinical Trial for Rare Ovarian Cancer
We are thrilled to announce that we are funding additional places for women with rare ovarian cancer to access the groundbreaking Molecular Screening and Therapeutics (MoST) trial. We’re proud to provide this support to Auckland City Hospital oncologist Dr Michelle Wilson and her team, to help women access the trial and empower clinicians to detect […]
2025 Ovarian Cancer Research Grants Now Open!
We’re proud to offer two grants this year to support ovarian cancer research in Aotearoa: Research Grant: up to $80,000 for a project that aims to improve ovarian cancer care by advancing understanding of how the disease develops, is diagnosed, or is treated.Closes 1 August 2025. Travel Grant: up to $8,000 to help an early-career […]
WOCD 2025: The symptoms are easy to overlook, but the impact isn’t
Today is World Ovarian Cancer Day, a day that means something different to all of us. For some, it marks a personal diagnosis. For others, it’s a reminder of someone they love. But for all of us, it’s a day to keep raising awareness and pushing for change. This year we want to highlight the […]
OCFNZ Meets Leading UK Ovarian Cancer Researcher
During his recent visit to Auckland, Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand (OCFNZ) trustees Jane Ludemann and Dr Alicia Didsbury met with renowned United Kingdom ovarian cancer researcher Professor Charlie Gourley. This was a fantastic opportunity to discuss ongoing collaborative efforts and explore future directions in ovarian cancer research. Professor Charlie Gourley is a medical oncologist […]
Pharmac to fund bevacizumab for ovarian cancer
New Zealand women with ovarian cancer finally have funded access to bevacizumab. Pharmac’s announcement on 12 February 2025 comes ten years after the treatment was funded in Australia, and follows a long fight by the Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand (OCFNZ) to get women access, with Pharmac proposing to decline the application twice in recent […]
Ovarian Cancer Research Grant Sonesavanh Shares Her Experiences
Sonesavanh Larnkham, a PhD candidate in the Pitman Lab Group at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, was awarded the Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand’s inaugural International Travel Grant in 2024. This grant enabled Sonesavanh to visit a world-renowned ovarian cancer research facility at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland to learn from reputable ovarian […]