Patients helping shape ovarian cancer research

As part of this unique initiative, women who have experienced ovarian cancer are actively involved in every stage of the process: from defining research priorities to making funding decisions. This approach aims to better understand and support the reality of those living with and beyond the disease. Through RISE, research becomes more personal, more impactful, and deeply aligned with the real needs of patients.

By investing in research that reflects the needs and experiences of those directly affected by the disease, CRS and Ovarian Cancer Canada will shift the paradigm of survivorship care across Canada.

“Our partnership with Ovarian Cancer Canada plays a crucial role in funding projects and initiatives that have a tangible impact on ovarian cancer research,” says Manon Pepin, President and CEO of the Cancer Research Society. “This new program represents a true step forward. By placing women’s experiences at the core of the process and involving them in project selection, we have the opportunity to support more human-centered approaches that are better aligned with their reality. RISE embodies hope and commitment to a future where every research project will be even more relevant to those who have faced this disease.”

Through this initiative, a total of $200,000 in funding is being made available to support innovative projects that address one or more of the following aspects of ovarian cancer survivorship:

• Physical well-being and health
• Psychosocial and emotional well-being
• Health disparities and inequities
• Treatment advances to extend survival, reduce side effects and improve quality of life
• Healthy lifestyle interventions

“Survivorship is more than a medical term – it’s a lived reality,” says Tania Vrionis, Chief Executive Officer, Ovarian Cancer Canada. “It includes everything from physical recovery after treatment to mental, emotional, social, and financial challenges. Since 2021, our partnership with the Cancer Research Society has increased the number of Canadian research projects focused on ovarian cancer. With our RISE competition, we will continue to empower people with lived experience to take the lead in defining what matters most to them in life after diagnosis.”

With RISE, CRS and Ovarian Cancer Canada are taking a bold step to outsmart ovarian cancer and bring new hope to all those affected.

Researchers interested in this opportunity are invited to consult the complete program details: here.