Thanks to you...

As a self funded support agency, Ovarian Cancer Australia relies heavily on the support we receive from the community. Here, we would like to say thank you to all those who have given of their time, effort and energy to help raise funds to assist us in supporting women with ovarian cancer.

Western Australian Morning Tea

Tom Price resident, Jaimie decided to raise awareness of ovarian cancer in her community by organising a morning tea in June 2008. The event was well attended by many women who enjoyed watching the Ovarian Cancer Australia 'Silent No More' DVD and participating in a silent auction to raise funds.

The Tom Price Womens Softball Association also got behind the cause by selling ribbons and keyrings. Their six teams all wore Ovarian Cancer Australia ribbons on game day to proudly promote the cause.

Ovarian Cancer Australia is grateful to the Tom Price community for raising over $800

Bag-ladies BRUNCH for a cause

Brunswick pattern designer Nicole Mallalieu decided to share her professional skills and raise awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer Australia at a brunch event in May 2008.

Inspired by her sister Loretta, who had been diagnosed with the disease, Nicole brought together her customers and students for a networking morning. Participants recieved goody bags and Ovarian Cancer Australia Awareness brochures. They were also given the opportunity to purchase Ovarian Cancer Australia merchandise.

Nicole generously donated 10% of all pattern sales on the day to Ovarian Cancer Australia, raising a total of $200.

Victorian Sea Kayak Club - Port to Port Challenge 2008

On Saturday 12 April, members of the Victorian Sea Kayak Club set off to begin their 3nd Annual Port to Port Sea Kayak 100km overnight paddle to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Australia. Twenty or so paddlers started their challenge at Rye so that they could travel exactly 100kms to St Kilda. Another 6 of so paddlers joined them at Portsea to embark on the Port to Port Challenge from Portsea to St Kilda.

Jenny from Ovarian Cancer Australia joined the paddlers at Portsea and gave a short presentation to thank the members of the Victorian Sea Kayak Club for their endeavors and to wish them a safe journey to St Kilda.

Peter Costello, who organised the event, is an active committee member in the Victorian Sea Kayak Club (VSKC) and keen paddler, who is driven by his own experience of living with cancer since 2002 (currently in remission for the second time).  Peter spoke of the paddler’s quest to complete this 100km overnight paddle from Portsea to St Kilda in the memory of Annette Golightly, who passed away earlier this year from ovarian cancer.  David – Annette’s husband is a keen paddler and joined the others at Portsea for the overnight paddle with pictures of Annette at the helm of their kayaks.  There was not a dry eye at the presentation as spectators and supporters waived them off from Portsea with the promise to see them again on their return to St Kilda on Sunday morning.

Some paddlers were not able to complete the whole 100km paddle and finished their challenge during the night.  However around 20 or so paddlers arrived a little weary and tired at St Kilda around 11.30am . They were damp, exhausted and full of stories of a challenging paddle with extreme conditions at Edithvale, but all arriving safely.  They all then dried off and changed to enjoy a light brunch of egg and bacon rolls to replenish their energies.

At the end of a very long weekend, Peter spoke to his fellow paddlers saying that he was "thanking them again for raising money for Ovarian Cancer Australia. This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Annette Golightly, late wife of my great mate and fellow paddler David Golightly. This event combines our passion for paddling and provides a vehicle for us to make a difference in a truly satisfying way,” says Peter.

Ovarian Cancer Australia would like to sincerely thank Peter Costello and to David Golightly for their dedication to the memory of Annette.

VSKC's generous contributions of over $6,000 in fundraising will go towards Ovarian Cancer Australia's patient service programs.  Ovarian Cancer Australia are very appreciative of the continued efforts of VSKC.

Shave for a cause

Laura Scholefield was 16 when, inspired by a school project, she decided to shave her head to raise money for ovarian cancer. Having had at least shoulder lenght hair all her life, it was a big decision that she shared with family and friends.

On the 10th February 2007, Laura succumbed to the clippers and had her almost waist length hair cut to just 2mm. Her brave efforts raised $334.50 which she kindly donated to Ovarian Cancer Australia.

Thank you Laura for your committment to help others.

Laura's long locks before...	After the big shave..

M & C Saatchi staff

The wonderful staff and M & C Saatchi decided to conduct an amazing 'Eat Off' between two of their staff, representing Ovarian Cancer Australia was  the svelte Nat Chan and her opposition by contrast a brute Salvatore Gullifa.  The “Eat Off” was aimed to raise money for Nat and Salvatore’s favourite charities.  The competition involved consuming as many mussels as possible in a short time.

Whilst hotly contested, Salvatore won a close contest with 243 mussels ingested. Nat was only 12 behind until she deposited some of them back on the table! - An amazing effort, especially when you take the size to number ratio into account.

Due to Nat’s courageous effort, Salvatore kindly suggested splitting the money between their two chosen charities and as a consequence Nat raised $850 for Ovarian Cancer Australia.

There was also a small hitch, as the loser, Nat had to wear the chicken suit all day, which of course she did with pride!  What a great effort. Thanks and well done to all those involved at M & C Saatchi.