Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

Take Action Today!

The U.S. Senate is now considering the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017(NDAA) which directs how the Department of Defense (DoD) budget is allocated. Within the DoD budget is a critical source of funding for ovarian cancer research.

Unfortunately, we have learned that language inserted into the NDAA threatens the future of this important program. Since 1997, the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) had funded innovative, high-risk, high-reward ovarian cancer research. Despite its successes, two sections of the NDAA – Section 756 and Section 898 – could, if enacted, jeopardize the $20 million set to be spent on OCRP research.

In order to ensure that this research program continues, the Senate must take action to remove these sections from the NDAA.

How can you help?

Click here to send your Senators an action alert email that will tell them to support the elimination of Sections 756 and 898 from the 2017 NDAA.
Spread our action alert to your networks!

OCRFA is working to oppose these sections through our alliances with other organizations, but we need your support through Action Alerts as well!

About the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP)

The Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP), a Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program in the Department of Defense (DoD), funds innovative and cutting edge ovarian cancer research. Since 1997, the OCRP has been addressing unmet research needs by supporting high-risk, high-reward research proposals. The OCRP is able to craft new award types, allowing it to foster synergystic, nontraditional research collaborations, necessary for tomorrow’s cures. Ovarian cancer survivors and advocates are involved in establishing OCRP research priorities alongside scientists and clinicians; more than 500 ovarian cancer survivors, advocates, scientists and clinicians have participated in OCRP research.

Recent OCRP success stories include:

New diagnostic tests: In 2003, investigators funded by the OCRP identified five new biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer. By 2009, they had commercialized this discovery into a test that determines if women with an abdominal mass are likely to have ovarian cancer or a benign disease. That test, named OVA-1, is FDA cleared and is part of clinical practice guidelines.
Long term survival: The OCRP funds a project that looks at factors that long-term survivors of ovarian cancer have in common, including genetics, environment and social support. The results of this study will help more women with ovarian cancer live longer, healthier lives.
New grant types: The OCRP Teal Innovator award is given annually to highly innovative scientists with research that could significantly impact ovarian cancer patient care. The 2013 award was given to researchers studying abnormal changes that occur in ovarian cancer cells and how these changes can be reversed to stop tumor growth.

Click here to take action today!