The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation

02/25/2026

Congratulations to University Health Network being named the second best hospital in the world! UHN is comprised of 10 centres, one of which is Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Canada's leading oncology hospital.

If you’re facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis and your circumstances allow, ask your doctor for a referral to Princess Margaret to ensure you’re receiving care at a leading, specialized institution.

UHN has been named the No. 2 hospital in the world! Climbing up one spot from previous years in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list, this new rank marks:

🏆 UHN’s highest global ranking to date

🍁 The top rank ever achieved by a Canadian hospital

🌎 Our 8th consecutive year as the no. 1 universally accessible hospital in the world

The report names UHN’s Toronto General Hospital as the no. 2 hospital in the world, UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital among the top 10 hospitals in Canada and UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as Canada’s leading oncology hospital.

Congratulations to everyone across TeamUHN! This monumental achievement and global spotlight belongs to you and your continued excellence in research, education and patient care!

Read more at: https://www.uhn.ca/corporate/News/PressReleases/Pages/canadian-hospital-now-ranked-2-in-the-world.aspx

02/24/2026

Yesterday, JRHEF attended an event hosted by UHN's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Research, to learn more about their Comprehensive Ovarian Tumours Program. Presenters Dr. Marcus Bernardini, Division Head of Gynecology Oncology at UHN and Mount Sinai Hospital, and Diane Francis shared insights on the current reality of ovarian cancer and where it is headed.

Here were some takeaways:

🔹 Ovarian cancer’s complexity makes it unlike any other cancer! This reinforces the importance of seeking care at leading institutions like Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

🔹 High-grade serous ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer and originates in the fallopian tubes.

🔹 Genetic testing is important, especially if you have a first-degree relative with the disease. Preventative treatments are available which may significantly reduce risk.

🔹 Data shows that over time, fewer individuals are being diagnosed with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, and those who are diagnosed are living longer.

🔹 Be a strong advocate for your health. If symptoms persist for 2+ weeks, reach out to your doctor.

While the current reality of ovarian cancer continues to present obstacles, experts at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre believe that if we remain on this trajectory, in 20 years time only a small percentage of women may die from this disease.

We are grateful to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for the invitation and for their continued leadership in advancing ovarian cancer research and care.

01/27/2026

We are excited to share the news about our contribution to the The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, specifically towards the OurGenes Study. This cutting-edge study is the largest genomics initiative in Canada, focusing on 3 conditions including hereditary ovarian cancer. Thank you to all who have supported JRHEF to make this donation possible!

Read more in our recent press release ⬇️

Toronto, ON — The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation (JRHEF) has proudly donated $25,000 to Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) in support of the OurGenes Study, Canada’s first population-based genetic screening program.The OurGenes Study is the largest molecular genomics initiati...

12/31/2025

With 2025 coming to a close, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together.

In April, we hosted our second event, Mike Marino: “In My Mother’s Basement”, a sold-out comedy show at the Dante Club. It was an incredible night to launch our mission and bring the community together.

In October, we drove Joan’s car in the Cannonball Run, an experience that significantly increased awareness for our Foundation and helped build meaningful relationships with key stakeholders in the medical community. Our story and involvement were featured in the Sarnia Journal and shared across more than 200 media outlets throughout North America.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are committed to strengthening our existing partnerships, hosting more impactful events, and helping deliver cutting edge resources to those who need them most. Keep an eye out for an upcoming press release from us!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has supported us, through donations, encouragement, or simply by sharing our story and helping spread the word. We are deeply grateful for this community and excited for what lies ahead.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year.

The JRHEF Team 🩷

10/26/2025

We are thrilled to share the outcomes of our participation in the 2025 Cannonball Run — the 2,200 km effort has resulted in impacts beyond our expectations.

📰 We were featured in 200+ media outlets across North America, including The Sarnia Journal, Canadian Health Industry News, Healthcare Industry today and more.
📈 As a result, our website saw a 63% increase in traffic over the last 30 days.
💬 In talks with two magazines to run a story on Joan's car and the JRHEF mission. (Stay tuned)
⚕️ We built stronger connections within the US medical world.
🙌 We raised an outstanding $46,726!!!

Over the course of our journey, we accumulated a lot of footage and photos from the Cannonball Media Team that we plan to organize and share on our website soon.

Thank you again, to our sponsors, family & friends for supporting us in this unique awareness campaign.

Finally, a message from the driver himself:

Driving Joan’s car across Bar Harbor to Nashville was more than a rally for me, it was a journey of purpose and connection. Along the way, we met incredible people who believed in what JRHEF stands for; hope, early detection, and empowerment for women facing ovarian cancer. The Cannonball Run opened new doors, sparked new partnerships, and reminded us that awareness can travel as fast as any car when it’s powered by love and purpose.

🩷Aldo, Team JRHEF

10/11/2025