Ovarian Cancer Australia

In the 2026 Dry July campaign, you helped Ovarian Cancer Australia raise an amazing $64,660 to provide free specialist psychological support to people affected by ovarian cancer across Australia.

Free telehealth counselling and psychology services will be supported through the funds raised, connecting women and their families with experienced oncology clinicians who understand the emotional challenges of diagnosis, treatment and life beyond cancer. This support will help people build resilience, develop practical coping strategies and access specialist care wherever they live.

"Thank you for going dry this July in support of women facing ovarian cancer. For what you gave up, you’ve given so much more in return.

The funds you have raised ensure that women and families across Australia continue to have access to specialist support, trusted information and a strong voice advocating for better outcomes.

On behalf of everyone at Ovarian Cancer Australia, our deepest gratitude to you, for your kindness, for choosing to support OCA, and for helping ensure that no woman or family facing ovarian cancer walks alone."

Debbie Shiell, Chief Executive Officer, Ovarian Cancer Australia

Pictured: (from left to right): Debbie Shiell - CEO of OCA, Hayley Matic - Senior Psychologist at OCA, Jardine Mitchell - Clinical Psychologist at OCA, Bianca Di Fede - Community Fundraising & Campaigns Manager at OCA

Thanks to the support of Dry July, Ovarian Cancer Australia has continued to provide free, specialist support to women and families affected by ovarian cancer.

Over the last year, OCA’s national helpline received more than 1,050 calls from women and families seeking information, emotional support and guidance. We delivered 587 free specialist psychology and counselling sessions.

This support is meeting real and urgent need. People reach out for help for many reasons including adjusting to a diagnosis or recurrence, managing anxiety, sleep difficulties and fatigue, and coping with fear of cancer returning and uncertainty about the future.

Women tell us the emotional impact of ovarian cancer can be just as challenging as the physical effects, and that this need often continues well beyond treatment.

One participant in our counselling service shared:

“The OCA psychology sessions helped me through a very difficult time after treatment. Having access to a practitioner who truly understands the specific challenges of ovarian cancer has been invaluable. After time away from work, private psychology was something I couldn’t afford, so having access to this support made a huge difference.”

Importantly, this support is free and delivered via telehealth, making it accessible to women wherever they live, including those in regional and remote areas or those unable to travel due to treatment or fatigue.

OCA continues to work closely with women, families and clinicians to ensure services respond to real needs. This leads to more targeted support, including specialist programs focused on sleep and managing the ongoing impacts of cancer.

Thank you for fundraising with Dry July and making this support possible. Your support is helping ensure no woman walks alone.

The psychology and counselling support programs are going well, with participants reporting improved coping and increased strategies to manage psychological and emotional distress. Below is some feedback provided from people who received psychology or counselling support last year:

Thank you for taking on the Dry July challenge for Ovarian Cancer Australia this year.

We are pleased to announce that with your help we raised an astounding $208,746 towards evidence-based support programs for women living with ovarian cancer. We are extremely grateful for your fundraising efforts and dedication.

Your fundraising for Dry July has enabled Ovarian Cancer Australia’s counselling and psychology team to support women to access a suite of free specialist clinics and evidence-based programs targeting sexuality, grief and bereavement, fear of cancer recurrence, and sleep and fatigue.

On behalf of all the women we support and staff at Ovarian Cancer Australia, we would like to thank you for your support and contribution to making a positive difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

Together, we will ensure that no one with ovarian cancer walks alone.

Victoria's personal journey with ovarian cancer began in May 2020 when, at 59 years old, she was confronted with the diagnosis of stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer. This initiated a tumultuous period characterised by major debulking surgery and weekly chemotherapy sessions over seven months.

Before her diagnosis, Victoria experienced subtle symptoms like back pain and changes in bowel & bladder habits. It took approximately eight months of consultations with medical professionals before she received a definitive answer.

After some mild pelvic pain, her doctor sent her for a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound that found a large tumour on her right ovary. After a PET scan, laparoscopy, and biopsies, it was confirmed that the cancer had spread to her peritoneal cavity and lymph nodes.

As a nurse and nursing lecturer, Victoria has dedicated most of her career to educating and empowering future healthcare professionals. Ironically, despite her proximity to ovarian cancer patients and her knowledge of two colleagues who had passed away due to the disease, the symptoms didn't trigger alarm bells until in hindsight.

Her diagnosis thrust Victoria into the dual roles of caregiver and patient, but she drew strength from her close-knit family – married with three children and six grandchildren. Alongside her colleagues who shaved their heads to raise funds, they provided support as she confronted the uncertainties of her condition with determination.

Despite her extensive healthcare background, Victoria was initially unaware of the organisations available to her, such as Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA), until she chanced upon them through social media. Through these channels, she discovered invaluable resources and support, including the compassionate guidance of ovarian cancer nurse consultants like Fi.

"Fi was amazing – I can't praise the service enough. It was the right amount of support at the right time, and even though I've been in remission for some time, she still checks in every 6 weeks or so," Victoria expressed gratefully, acknowledging the vital role Ovarian Cancer Australia played during a dark time.

Residing in a regional area of East Ballina posed challenges for Victoria, from enduring a 1.5-hour commute to the nearest hospital to having limited access to psychological services. With the assistance of OCA’s Psychosocial support services and dedicated professionals like Clinical Psychologist, Dr Lauren Williams, she overcame these hurdles and emerged more resilient than ever before.

Victoria's experience was marked by physical trials, including balance problems initially and ongoing peripheral neuropathy & fear of recurrence. Nevertheless, her personal journey fueled her advocacy for ovarian cancer awareness. "Every step of this journey has taught me something new," Victoria reflected, stressing the importance of advocating for enhanced care and support for ovarian cancer patients.

Through her role as Regional Coordinator & Presenter for ANZGOG’s “Survivors Teaching Students” and community ambassador for OCA, Victoria champions patient-centered care, amplifying the voices of those affected by ovarian cancer. “I now have a broader awareness of what people need and use this to educate others, emphasising the importance of empathy and viewing patients as whole individuals.”

Now at the age of 63, Victoria remains hopeful that increased awareness will change the ovarian cancer narrative as she uses her voice to advocate within our community. With resilience and determination, she refuses to let cancer define her, embracing each day with fortitude.