Season 3 Episode 7: OCC Series - Resilience and Wellness. Navigating Ovarian Cancer with Knowledge and Advocacy

We are excited to announce the first episode of our collaborative series with Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC). In this series, we will have the opportunity to speak with patient partners, research scientists, and program coordinators from OCC, who will share about the research, awareness, and advocacy work they are doing in OCC. As the only registered Canadian charity solely dedicated to overcoming ovarian cancer, the organization provides leadership in research, advocacy, and support, so that women live fuller, better, longer lives.To kick off our collaborative series with OCC, we have Donna Peppin sharing her personal experience with low-grade serous ovarian cancer and her advocacy work with OCC. Donna emphasizes the significance of patient-centered research and how patient involvement has led to a greater research focus on rare subtypes of ovarian cancer. She also provides valuable information on OCC's support services and other resources available for patients. By the end of this episode, we hope that you will feel empowered and inspired, just as we did. Bio: Donna Pepin of Toronto, Ontario, faced a serous borderline ovarian cancer diagnosis at the age of 49.  During her cancer journey, Donna realized that most women she knew were not informed or aware of ovarian cancer, and that there were very few ovarian cancer advocates. So, she decided to become one. She began volunteering with Ovarian Cancer Canada in 2008. From speaking publicly about her experience with ovarian cancer to planning gala events, she focused on raising the profile of this cause. Donna had a vital role in successfully advocating alongside Ovarian Cancer Canada for a historic federal investment in research. Today, she is the Patient Representative on the Governing Council of Ovarian Cancer Canada's OvCAN research initiative and the Patient Lead for OvCAN’s national Patient Partners in Research Team. Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) Website: https://ovariancanada.org/ OCC upcoming events: https://ovariancanada.org/events-support/find-local-events OCC guide on clinical trials: https://ovariancanada.org/Research/Clinical-Trials  OCC support serives: https://ovariancanada.org/Living-with-Ovarian-Cancer/Find-Support  Follow Ovarian Cancer Canada on social media: https://www.instagram.com/ovariancancercanada/  https://twitter.com/OvarianCanada https://www.facebook.com/OvarianCancerCanada/  https://www.youtube.com/user/OvarianCancerCanada https://www.linkedin.com/company/ovarian-cancer-canada/  _For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected] Where to learn more about us: Twitter – @GCI_ClusterInstagram – @gynecancerinitiativeFacebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiativeFor more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at [email protected]  Where to learn more about us:  Twitter – @GCI_Cluster Instagram – @gynecancerinitiative Facebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiativeTikTok – @gci_gosh