Hello and thank you for reading about this important role to lead the Ovarian Cancer Action Board.
Ovarian cancer survival rates are stubbornly low, with only one in three women in the UK living more than 10 years after diagnosis. This significantly underfunded disease receives insufficient attention compared to other women’s healthcare conditions, resulting in the loss of over 4000 women in the UK and over 200,000 globally each year. Tragically, this equates to one woman’s death every two hours in the UK.
As the leading UK ovarian cancer research charity, Ovarian Cancer Action is focused on accelerating progress in the next decade to combat these poor survival rates. We are seeking significant advancements in the development of more effective treatments, a reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer and better prevention. These breakthroughs are crucial for offering hope to the women diagnosed and living with this disease.
Patient voices are also some of the most critical to enable progress and we make sure they are included in the important conversations that drive and advocate for change.
Ovarian Cancer Action has made significant progress this year, notably with the success of our 15th International Scientific Forum. Initiated in 2005, this forum has been a cornerstone of our success for nearly four decades, reflecting our core values and mission and uniting leading international ovarian cancer scientists. This year, for the first time, we extended invitations to prominent global research charities from the US, Canada, and Australia. This collaborative effort will culminate in the publication of a comprehensive roadmap and a set of global research priorities in early 2025.
The demand for charities like ours is higher than ever, particularly given the current challenging climate. We are confidently pursuing an ambitious growth strategy, which includes further collaboration, developing new income streams and innovative approaches to expand our impact.
The appointment of a new Chair to lead our highly capable and dedicated Board is crucial for our continued success. The ideal candidate will possess a diverse skill set and a proven track record of success. Strong commercial acumen and leadership is essential for effectively leading the Board and collaborating with our CEO.
If you are motivated by our ambition to transform the future for women with ovarian cancer we would be delighted to hear from you.
Dr Wayne Phillips,
Chair