Tania’s Marathon Fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer and Hospice
On October 7, 2024 my mum was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and given a few weeks to live. Sadly she passed away on November 2, 2024 which has had a huge impact on my family and we are still shocked that she is no longer with us. My mum was one in a million, she […]
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, […]
It Was My Life’s Honour To Care For My Mum
For Moss Lannon, his mum, Kim, was more than a parent. She was his “light in dark times and his best friend”. Moss admired her positive outlook, her ability to see everyone’s potential and her kindness. Her unconditional love was a constant in his life. When Kim was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 52, […]
Living Life on a Roller Coaster
When Wendy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, she was told she had three to four years to live. She describes her time since that diagnosis as being a roller coaster. “There are really scary times, parts where you are unsure of what’s coming next or how far away the next uphill climb is […]
Leondra’s Story: Relieved to receive a diagnosis
Leondra was diagnosed with stage IIIb low-grade serous ovarian cancer, in October 2017, after experiencing persistent symptoms over several years. Prior to her diagnosis, she had heavy periods that lasted for weeks, severe pain while urinating, bowel changes, fever, fatigue, and persistent bloating. These symptoms led her to visit her GP multiple times, yet she […]
Ova Achiever: My Struggle With Ovarian Cancer At 32
I’ve always had a feeling that I’d be blindsided with something awful — like some kind of karmic redress for all of the mistakes I’ve ever made. Anxiety is a wicked thing, isn’t it? But I’ll openly admit, I don’t think I ever would have guessed being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 32. October 31st, […]
Ruby’s Story: Finding ovarian cancer while pregnant
2023 started out as an amazing year. I was pregnant with our third child and looking forward to welcoming them into our busy family. But as the months passed, what I thought was just bloating (which I had experienced on-and-off over the years) became something worrying. During my 12-week scan, my doctors noticed a mass; […]
Jenni’s Story: A New Me
So how did my ovarian cancer journey begin? I’d had an annoying, niggling cough for over two months and, in early November 2023, I visited some close friends, one of whom was an ICU nurse. She noticed my cough and asked me a few questions, before recommending I go to my GP as soon as […]
Sara’s Story: How ovarian cancer has affected me and my family
I’m Sara, a mum of two originally from the UK. For years, I experienced symptoms like bloating, frequent urination and weight gain, which GPs dismissed as female issues and told me I was likely premenopausal or that it was something I was eating. In October 2017, after a doctor finally took note of my history […]
Helen’s Story
“I was young and free and had no reason to even consider this could happen to me” – Helen Helen, now in her 30s, was only 18 years old when she was diagnosed with a germ cell tumour on her right ovary. She was healthy and had rarely visited a doctor but saw her GP […]