Ovarian Cancer Australia

Josie Davoren, 51, initially thought the early signs of her ovarian cancer was menopause. The mother of two increased her exercise regime and reduced her calorie intake but still could not reduce the bloating. Josie then put the bloating down to irritable bowel syndrome. Soon after, she discovered a hard large mass on the right side of her pelvic area.

After having scans followed by investigative surgery, surgeons found she had stage two ovarian cancer and an ovary the size of a rockmelon. In July 2018, Josie had surgery to remove the tumours; this included a full hysterectomy (removal of her ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus) and also her appendix.

Having six rounds of chemotherapy, Josie felt confident she was over the worst. Follow up scans were clear for some time. However, 15 months after her first surgery, doctors discovered an anomaly. Cancer had spread to her bowel and diaphragm. 

During Josie’s ordeal, she has turned to not only her physical support around treatment, but she has also reached out to Ovarian Cancer Australia for her emotional well-being. Josie has found great benefit in speaking to OCA’s psychologist and social worker.

“Seeking emotional support in the public health system can often feel rushed, due to high demands, but I feel I can take my time when I call OCA and have comfort in knowing that I’m not on a timer. It’s great to speak to someone who is readily available and can provide personal support" 

Read Josie's full story here: https://www.dryjuly.com/2021/josies-story 

Ovarian Cancer Australia's Younger Women's Network is one of the many programs that have been made possible thanks to Dry July fundraising.

By cultivating connections through shared experiences, the program aims to ease feelings of isolation and disconnection amongst young women affected by ovarian cancer.

The online facilitated support and Information group is delivered monthly by health professionals like Fiona Mitchell (pictured), for 1.5 hours, and typically has 5-8 women in each session. 💙

If you or someone you know is interested in the Younger Women's Network, you can find more information here: www.ovariancancer.net.au/page/127/younger-women

Thanks to the incredible fundraising of Dry July participants, Ovarian Cancer Australia has raised an astounding $445,325!

Despite the immense challenges of 2020, it has been an incredible year for Dry July fundraising – the efforts of participants such as you will enable Ovarian Cancer Australia to directly support women with ovarian cancer and their families with these initiatives:

• The Younger Women’s Network: providing support and information sessions for younger women who can connect with others in a similar situation, reducing feelings of isolation when they need it most.

• Support for carers: a new project that will assist carers – particularly male carers – to provide the best support for their loved ones.

• Social worker: They are adding a social worker to the mix of their Support Team, providing practical assistance for women and their families.

• Ovarian cancer nurses: Additional specialised nurses are particularly vital right now due to the increase in the number of calls to their Helpline, and an increase in the intensity of distress many women are experiencing due to the impact of COVID.

The funds raised in 2019 assisted in the Ovarian Cancer Support Team to set develop and deliver The Ovarian Cancer Younger Women’s Network.

The program is online facilitated support and information sessions, delivered monthly for 1.5 hours with between 3 and 12 women participating in each session with a health professional facilitator.

The topics covered each month were specifically tailored for this age group and included 'Talking to Kids about Cancer', 'Managing Menopause Symptoms', 'Coping Strategies and Managing Stress', 'Sexuality, Body Image and Relationships', 'Making Meaning after a Cancer Diagnosis' and 'Hope and Uncertainty.'

The program was overwhelmingly positive and was a significant benefit for all women who chose to take part.

The women strongly felt that the program increased their sense of connection to others with the disease and decreased the sense of isolation which can arise as a young woman living with ovarian cancer.

With these encouraging results Ovarian Cancer Australia are committed to continuing the program into 2020 and beyond.

Read what our women say about the sessions:

“It was my first time attending. I thought it was fabulous, thank you”

“Loved open discussion after presentation”

“Really took a lot away from this session super helpful advice and Sam was extremely knowledgeable and it was easy to understand the information she was giving us. Thanks so much for providing us with this support group, it has been very beneficial already!”

“I would highly recommend this group to any younger women with OC not so much to friends or colleagues”