Soroptimist NZ Ovarian Cancer National Project

06/10/2026

Still time to register.

The State of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognise, is often diagnosed too late, and remains the deadliest of all women’s cancers.

Yet awareness, research and funding continue to lag behind the urgent need.

By understanding the realities facing people affected by ovarian cancer, we can help drive earlier recognition, stronger support and better outcomes.

What is the current state of ovarian cancer? What progress has been made, and what challenges remain?

Join SISEAP Sisters Online for an informative session with Liz Pennington,
Chief Executive and Lived Experience Facilitation Lead of Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand, who will share an update on the state of ovarian cancer.

📅 October 11, 2026
🕑 2.00pm AEDT
💻 Online via Zoom
🩵 Free to attend

This is an opportunity to learn more, understand the challenges, and support greater awareness, research and better outcomes for those affected by ovarian cancer.

👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/6g2gAAjaaotefUa59

Please share this invitation with your friends, family and colleagues. Everyone is welcome.

02/10/2026

Advocates wanted with lived experience.

Is this you?

Please consider, we need your voice.

Pharmac is looking for people with lived experience to join its new Community and Patient Advisory Committee (CPAC).

Lived experience voices are essential when decisions are being made about access to medicines.

For people in our ovarian cancer community, this could be an opportunity to consider whether you would like to share your experience of ovarian cancer and help inform conversations about health needs, access to medicines and equity.

CPAC members will provide advice to Pharmac on consumer and patient perspectives and contribute to discussions relevant to Pharmac’s work.
Applications are open until 7 October 2026.

Find out more about the role, read the information sheet and apply here:
https://careers.pharmac.govt.nz/jobdetails/ajid/rDnp7/Community-and-Patient-Advisory-Committee-CPAC-members-and-Chair,17143.html

24/09/2026

Very proud of our Kristeen Johnston and amazing to get over 10 000 signatures. 👏👏💪💪

Yesterday, alongside 16 other charities, we presented an open letter to Parliament.

This letter was signed by over 10,000 Kiwis and calls for urgent action to improve access to medicines in Aotearoa.

For people living with ovarian cancer, access to medicines can mean more treatment options and more time.

Yet too many New Zealanders are left waiting for medicines that are already available to patients in other countries.

Our trustee Kristeen Johnston attended Parliament to present the letter, she shared that the event was incredibly moving and that she feels great hope that this powerful campaign will lead to real change

Thank you to everyone who signed the letter and added their voice. We’ll keep advocating for better access to medicines for people with ovarian cancer.

Shown: Forbidden Pharmacy patient advocate Amanda

16/09/2026

The State of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer can be difficult to recognise, is often diagnosed too late, and remains the deadliest of all women’s cancers.

Yet awareness, research and funding continue to lag behind the urgent need.

By understanding the realities facing people affected by ovarian cancer, we can help drive earlier recognition, stronger support and better outcomes.

What is the current state of ovarian cancer? What progress has been made, and what challenges remain?

Join SISEAP Sisters Online for an informative session with Liz Pennington,
Chief Executive and Lived Experience Facilitation Lead of Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand, who will share an update on the state of ovarian cancer.

📅 October 11, 2026
🕑 2.00pm AEDT
💻 Online via Zoom
🩵 Free to attend

This is an opportunity to learn more, understand the challenges, and support greater awareness, research and better outcomes for those affected by ovarian cancer.

👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/6g2gAAjaaotefUa59

Please share this invitation with your friends, family and colleagues. Everyone is welcome.

09/09/2026

It’s on this Sunday, still time to register.

Join Us for the K9 Medical Detection NZ Webinar

We’re excited to invite you to a groundbreaking webinar on Sunday, 13 September, at 2:00 PM AEST.

This session, led by Pauline Blomfield, will discuss an innovative mission: developing a simple diagnostic urine test to aid in the fight against ovarian cancer.

🐾 What to Expect:

•Insights on how trained canines can enhance medical detection capabilities for ovarian cancer.

•An engaging discussion about the potential impact of this project.

🕒 Duration: Approximately one hour
📍 Open to all. Feel free to share this with friends, family, and colleagues.

🔗 Register Now: Scan the QR code in the poster or visit https://forms.gle/6g2gAAjaaotefUa59 to register.

Together, we can make a difference in the fight against ovarian cancer. Let’s harness the power of science and our four-legged friends 🐶💕

01/09/2026

Still time to register below 👇

Join Us for the K9 Medical Detection NZ Webinar

We’re excited to invite you to a groundbreaking webinar on Sunday, 13 September, at 2:00 PM AEST.

This session, led by Pauline Blomfield, will discuss an innovative mission: developing a simple diagnostic urine test to aid in the fight against ovarian cancer.

🐾 What to Expect:

•Insights on how trained canines can enhance medical detection capabilities for ovarian cancer.

•An engaging discussion about the potential impact of this project.

🕒 Duration: Approximately one hour
📍 Open to all. Feel free to share this with friends, family, and colleagues.

🔗 Register Now: Scan the QR code in the poster or visit https://forms.gle/6g2gAAjaaotefUa59 to register.

Together, we can make a difference in the fight against ovarian cancer. Let’s harness the power of science and our four-legged friends 🐶💕

14/08/2026

We are proud supporters of K9 Medical Detection NZ come along to a webinar to hear about the exciting work they are doing.

Join Us for the K9 Medical Detection NZ Webinar

We’re excited to invite you to a groundbreaking webinar on Sunday, 13 September, at 2:00 PM AEST.

This session, led by Pauline Blomfield, will discuss an innovative mission: developing a simple diagnostic urine test to aid in the fight against ovarian cancer.

🐾 What to Expect:

•Insights on how trained canines can enhance medical detection capabilities for ovarian cancer.

•An engaging discussion about the potential impact of this project.

🕒 Duration: Approximately one hour
📍 Open to all. Feel free to share this with friends, family, and colleagues.

🔗 Register Now: Scan the QR code in the poster or visit https://forms.gle/6g2gAAjaaotefUa59 to register.

Together, we can make a difference in the fight against ovarian cancer. Let’s harness the power of science and our four-legged friends 🐶💕

05/08/2026

It’s not too late to register

Interested in hearing more about this amazing project HEAL the TEAL and how and why it won a best practice award?

Join us for an inspiring session on an incredible project that unites Soroptimist clubs across New Zealand and beyond

Featured Presenter: Yvonne Simpson QSM
will delve into the successes and challenges of planning, monitoring, and reporting that led this project to earn the Best Practice Award 2026.

📅 Date: Sunday, 9 August
🕑 Time: 2 PM AEST
🌐 Format: Online Webinar

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and connect.

Register here: https://forms.gle/6g2gAAjaaotefUa59

05/08/2026

Awareness starts with understanding risk. Anyone born with ovaries is at risk for ovarian cancer. Knowing the signs, symptoms, and risk factors can help people make informed decisions about their health.

Share this with someone to help educate them and learn more at ovarian.org

30/07/2026

✨ WHO ARE WE SUPPORTING? ✨

Our National Project will support three fantastic charities.

These are:
- Cure Our Ovarian Cancer NZ
- Talk Peach Gynaecological Foundation
- K9 Medical Detection NZ

Over the next week we will introduce each charity in more detail! However, in the meantime go check them out if you haven't already ✨