n treatment in nearly 50 years, Australians are being encouraged to ovary-act during February’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to raise vital funds for Australians impacted by the disease.

Every year in Australia, more than 1,600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and more than 1,000 will die. Only 45 per cent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive five years post diagnosis. This is well below the average for all cancers in Australia.

Ovarian Cancer Australia is calling on all Australians to ovary-act by hosting a Paint the Town Teal fundraising event in support of February’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Teal is the international colour for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer Australia CEO, Jane Hill said while ovarian cancer is the deadliest women’s cancer in Australia, it is also one of the most underfunded.

“We rely on our fundraising community so we can continue to deliver awareness, support, advocacy and research programs. In fact, Ovarian Cancer Australia is the only organisation providing specialised support to those affected by ovarian cancer – the women living with the disease as well as their loved ones – through support groups, our helpline, resilience kit, online resources and more,” Ms Hill said.

“Paint the Town Teal fundraising events can be big, small or somewhere in between. They can range from an intimate movie night, a BBQ with friends, an afternoon tea or a gala dinner.

“Trivia, games or bingo nights are great fun. Why not invite old school friends, neighbours, family or colleagues from work?

“You could host a day at the races, a high tea, a casual dress day in the workplace, or a golf day. Sporting events are a great way to fundraise- you could even involve your local club. Wear the colour teal for a match or sell teal ribbons to players and spectators. You are only limited by your imagination!

“Anything goes, as long as it’s teal and you’re supporting women living with ovarian cancer and their families. The bigger, the better!”, Ms Hill said.

In 2019, Ovarian Cancer Australia’s Paint the Town Teal fundraising initiative aims to raise $500,000 Funds raised will contribute to the following Ovarian Cancer Australia initiatives:

* Funding Health-Impact Research Projects, working to reduce the impact and incidence of ovarian cancer by 2025.

* Providing resilience kits to newly diagnosed women, which include a support guide for living with ovarian cancer.

* Connecting women with a Specialist Support Team- a dedicated team of specialists for personalised advice.

* OCA Connect, Ovarian Cancer Australia’s online community and support network, which provides a platform for women to share and support each other through their ovarian cancer experience.

* Connecting women with face-to-face support groups led by healthcare professionals to ensure they are in a comfortable environment to learn connect and share.

* Helping to engage and educate healthcare professionals nationally, in order to raise awareness.

Get involved by registering your Paint the Town Teal fundraising event at www.paintthetownteal.net.au. Be sure to like and follow Ovarian Cancer Australia on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and for some ‘tealspiration’ for your Paint the Town Teal fundraiser.

Australians can also raise funds and show their support by wearing a teal ribbon throughout February - particularly on Teal Ribbon Day, Wednesday 27 February 2019. Teal ribbons are available for $3 from TerryWhite Chemmart pharmacies and Black Pepper stores nationally, as well as from Ovarian Cancer Australia at www.ovariancancer.net.au