Achieving in the Present Focused on the Future

Transcription

1 Achieving in the Present Focused on the Future foundationforwomenscancer.org

2 Who We Are The Foundation for Women s Cancer was established in 1991 by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology primarily to increase funding for gynecologic cancer research. Since that time its mission has expanded to include awareness about the prevention and early detection of cancers unique to women, and education about the optimal treatment for women with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. The Foundation enjoys a unique relationship with the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) whose membership includes physicians and allied health professionals dedicated to the care of women diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer. Gynecologic oncologists are boardcertified as obstetrician-gynecologists with an additional three to four years of specialized training. Data continues to accumulate that demonstrates that women, especially those diagnosed with ovarian or uterine cancer, treated first by a gynecologic oncologist have improved outcomes. All SGO members also are members of the Foundation for Women s Cancer. All educational materials produced by the Foundation are developed and approved by expert gynecologist oncologists. What We Do Research Research is the cornerstone of the Foundation s aspiration to end women s cancer. Through the generosity and vision of families, foundations and corporate partners, each year since 1995 the Foundation has awarded highly competitive research grants to young investigators. In addition to funding promising research, these grants are intended to encourage careers as physician-scientists in an increasingly complex practice environment with declining national research support. $58,000,000 in extramural funding has been awarded as a result of the initial research grants totaling $2,500,000, a 23-fold return.

3 Awareness This program has proven to be highly successful with well over 90% of recipients pursuing this dual career. This is partly due to the ability of the individuals selected to leverage the seed money provided by the Foundation with an approximate 23-fold return. While continuing this program for young investigators, the Foundation recognizes the opportunities for funding larger, multi-year research grants to both mid-career and senior physician-scientists. The need for this type of funding continues to increase as federal research funding shrinks, and established research projects and laboratories face termination. The Foundation s Research Grants and Awards Program is led by a committee of highly regarded physician-scientists. Other organizations look to the Foundation s model of review which employs the National Institutes of Health grading system. Most of the awards to date have supported ovarian cancer research. A strategic goal for the Foundation is increased funding for cervical and uterine cancer research in addition to the current funding of primarily ovarian cancer research projects. The Foundation for Women s Cancer strives to provide all women with the information they need to make the best choices to ensure their gynecologic health. These cancers affect women of all ages from their teens and 20 s through their 80 s. So all women should LEARN, LISTEN and ACT to maintain their gynecologic health. LEARN the symptoms and risk factors for each gynecologic cancer. LISTEN to their bodies. ACT to take preventive steps, and seek care first from a gynecologic oncologist when a gynecologic cancer is suspected or diagnosed. Since 1999 when the Foundation declared September as Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month (GCAM), it has created annual, focused national messages on gynecologic cancer topics. A variety of approaches to delivering the message have been employed including national radio and TV PSA s; billboard messaging, including Times Square; on-board airline programming interviews; print news stories; and local and national TV broadcast interviews. Every seven minutes a woman is diagnosed with a reproductive cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar. Each year approximately 88,000 women will be told they have one of these cancers.

4 Each July, the Foundation distributes a toolkit for use by SGO members, advocates, academic medical centers and others to aid in their GCAM promotion and messaging. Each November, the Foundation hosts the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Movement Weekend in Washington, DC. The weekend includes Saturday courses for women diagnosed with cervical, ovarian and uterine cancer, and culminates in the National Race to End Women s Cancer on Sunday. This race begins and ends on Freedom Plaza, and offers runners and walkers a route that includes historic Pennsylvania Avenue and a view of the Capitol. Physicians, survivors, family members, advocates and the general public gather each year to celebrate life, and raise money to support gynecologic cancer research and programs. Education Women living with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis rely upon the Foundation to provide evidencebased, expert-driven information. Each year, in partnership with academic medical centers, advocacy organizations and corporate partners, the Foundation offers courses throughout the country for survivors, their families and loved ones free-of-charge. These unique learning experiences are led by experts, To learn more about how you can partner with the Foundation for Women s Cancer to host a survivors course in your community, contact primarily gynecologic oncologists, who volunteer their time to advance women s understanding of the latest treatment options; promising research, including available clinical trials; and strategies for improving quality of life. For those unable to attend a course, free telephone workshops also are offered throughout the year. Other options, such as web casts and pod casts, are also planned. Resources The Foundation for Women s Cancer offers many resources for women, advocates and the general public. Comprehensive Cancer Information The Foundation for Women s Cancer award-winning Web site provides in-depth information by gynecologic cancer type plus a list of gynecologic oncologists that can be searched by zip code. The Web site also aids women who seek information about cancerrisks, symptoms and prevention strategies. State of the State of Gynecologic Cancer: Annual Report to the Women of America Each year, the Foundation publishes this report that chronicles the advances made in research and the treatment of each gynecologic cancer in the intervening year.

5 Library The Foundation offers an extensive library of educational materials available for download on its Web site: foundationforwomenscancer.org. These publications also are offered free-of-charge in limited quantities except for shipping costs, and can be ordered using the order form on the Web site, by calling the Foundation at , or by writing to Telephone Information Hotline Information about how to find a nearby gynecologic oncologist is available by calling the Foundation s information hotline at Take the Pledge to Prevent Cervical Cancer Women can receive a reminder for an annual well-women s exam by signing-up on the cervical cancer pages of the Foundation for Women s Cancer Web site, foundationforwomenscancer.org. This information is available in both English and Spanish. National Ovarian Cancer Resource List The Foundation offers a comprehensive listing of ovarian cancer resources that is available as part of its Library online and through the mail by contacting UCaN The Uterine Cancer Network for Endometrial and Other Uterine Cancer Survivors (UCaN) provides a community for women living with a uterine cancer. More information about how to join UCaN is available by contacting Newsletter and e-newsletter The Foundation publishes both its quarterly Newsletter and a monthly e-newsletter to keep its many audiences up-to-date on the latest news and future events. To add your name to the mailing list, write to Ovarian Cancer Research Funding Sourcebook This sourcebook lists all organizations offering at least $50,000 in annual funding for ovarian cancer research. This unique resource helps researchers identify new grant opportunities and enables donors to identify research organizations that match their philanthropic interests. To access the Sourcebook, visit foundationforwomenscancer.org/research. Allied Support Group In 1998 the Foundation convened the first meeting of the Allied Support Group which today includes 27 national advocacy organization members. In addition to meeting semi-annually to share the activities of each organization to encourage collaborative programming, Allied Support Group members have worked together on special educational, advocacy and research projects, such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Funding Sourcebook described above. Where there is knowledge, there is hope.

6 What You Can Do Become a friend of the Foundation by making your tax-deductible contribution today. Your support can be earmarked for a special program given in honor or memory of an individual, or applied broadly to support the mission of the Foundation for Women s Cancer. Matching Gifts Program Double the power of your donation through a matching gift. Many companies offer matching gift programs. If your company has a matching gift program, please obtain a form and include it with your tax-deductible donation to the Foundation for Women s Cancer. The link can guide you through the process of determining if your company is among those offering such a program. If your employer is on the list, we invite you to join with others who are making a difference by leveraging the power of their individual donations with employer matched contributions. CharityChoice Turn your gift giving into philanthropy. When purchasing CharityChoice Gift Cards, you can select the Foundation for Women s Cancer as your designated beneficiary. You decide on the amount you wish to donate. When using CharityChoice, 100% of your donation is taxdeductible at the time of purchase. IGive.Org What a great way to donate to your favorite charity. Simply register through igive.org and select the Foundation for Women s Cancer as your charity of choice. igive allows you to shop at brand name online stores through the igive Mall. A portion of each purchase is donated to the Foundation for Women s Cancer. SAVE money with exclusive coupons/free shopping deals. Plus, when you shop within 45 days of registering, igive will donate an extra $5 to the Foundation for Women s Cancer. JustGive.Org Discover everyday ways to support the Foundation for Women s Cancer. Charity gift cards. Charity wedding registry. Charity gift collections. You can do it all in one place at JustGive.org the online destination for charitable giving. Gifts of Stock or Securities Gifts of appreciated stock or mutual funds are another great way to pledge your support to the Foundation for Women s Cancer. You get an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of securities you have owned for more than one year, subject to usual limitations, and capital gains tax can be completed avoided on these assets. Planned Gifts Leave a legacy with a planned gift include the Foundation for Women s Cancer in your will. Consult your estate planning representative, tax advisor or attorney for information on how you can establish a planned gift to benefit the Foundation for Women s Cancer. Your generosity enables the Foundation to continue its important work for generations to come. To make a gift to the Foundation for Women s Cancer or for additional information, please write to the Foundation at info@foundationforwomenscancer.org or call

7 Focused on the Future The Foundation for Women s Cancer remains steadfast in its commitment to improve the health of all women and for this purpose advances the following goals for the future: Alert women to the risks, preventive steps and early warning signs for each gynecologic cancer Provide women living with a gynecologic cancer knowledge by leveraging new educational tools and providing increased opportunities to attend survivor courses Vastly expand funding for research with the goal to end women s cancer through research focused in these priority areas: Prevention and early detection Gynecologic cancer heterogeneity Identification of new therapy targets able to overcome resistance and tumor adaptation Tumor microenvironment and metabolic alterations Quality of life and symptoms The Foundation for Women s Cancer is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure public awareness of gynecologic cancer prevention, early detection and optimal treatment. In addition, the Foundation supports research and training related to gynecologic cancers. The Foundation advances this mission by increasing public and private funds that aid in the development and implementation of programs to meet these goals. For more information about the Foundation, its educational program and materials, or research grants please visit foundationforwomenscancer.org, or contact the Foundation Headquarters Office by phone at , or by at For additional information on gynecologic cancers or for a referral to a gynecologic oncologist or a related specialist, please call the toll-free Foundation Information Hotline at , or write to Foundation for Women s Cancer 230 W. Monroe, Suite 2528 Chicago, IL info@foundationforwomenscancer.org foundationforwomenscancer.org Tax ID # foundationforwomenscancer.org 2012 Foundation for Women s Cancer. All rights reserved.