Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2016, MOCA awarded a record $1,035,000 to ovarian cancer research projects. During MOCA’s Annual Meeting, we provided funding to 11 Minnesota-based research projects focused on an early detection test, better treatments and a cure for this disease. The brought the total amount of research funding that MOCA has provided to more than $6.25 million.
In 2016, MOCA provided the Survivors Teaching Students (STS) program to more than 400 students at both Minnesota medical schools, two of the three Minnesota physician assistant programs, and two of the six state’s nurse practitioner programs. Jamie Bakkum-Gamez, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and MOCA medical advisory committee member, addressed more than 1,000 primary care physicians about ovarian cancer at the Mayo Clinic’s 90th Annual Clinical Reviews. MOCA awarded five Anita and Walter Lubov Fund oncology nurse scholarships for a total of $7900 and an initial Pederson oncology nurse scholarship for a total of $1,000.
We held two public education meetings with more than 300 people attending to learn more about ovarian cancer and MOCA’s services. We awarded 12 woman with MOCA Dream Awards and funded two ovarian cancer survivors to attend Camp Mak-A-Dream.
MOCA also educated the public by harnessing the power of the media and placing more than 30 media stories about ovarian cancer in 2016. MOCA’s major fundraising events saw great success during the year. HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer celebrated our 17th year of our annual fundraising event in 2016. We had more than 3,100 registered participants and raised more than $310,000 for ovarian cancer research and support programs. MOCA continued our highly successful Tie It Teal symptom awareness campaign in 2016, with 30+ teams wearing our Tie It Teal shoelaces to raise awareness and show support.
Current Goals
In early 2017, we announced that MOCA will award $725,000 in research funding during MOCA’s Annual Meeting in May. We also plan to launch our first national grant making process focused on early detection this year.
We’ve also made it our goal to continue to reach more healthcare professionals and students than ever before. We’re aiming to educate more than 1,200 healthcare professionals and students during 2017.
We have 2 free public education meetings planned in the Twin Cities Metro for this spring. We have also significantly increased the number of support groups we offer to those affected by ovarian cancer both in the MOCA office and in the community.
We’re also committed to raise awareness of the symptoms of the disease by continuing our successful Tie It Teal campaign and providing free teal laces to youth teams to help us spread awareness. This year, we also plan to work with professional (Twins) and semi-professional teams again to help us raise awareness, along with our high-profile teal lighting campaign that lights up the 35W bridge, Lowry Avenue Bridge, IDS Center and other major Minnesota landmarks in teal.
In 2017, we have a goal to raise a record $336,000 for ovarian cancer research, support and programming through 18th Annual HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer. Our Black, White and Teal Gala and Molly Cade Scramble for Ovarian Cancer are also in the works with a goal to raise more than $175,000 through both events.
We also plan to ensure that our programs reach underserved communities and that as an organization we are inclusive and equitable.
Community or Constituency Served
Women and families impacted by ovarian cancer and women in general by raising awareness of the disease and the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Also, educating the medical and nursing professions on the symptoms of the disease and raising their awareness of these symptoms.
Geographic Area Served
Minnesota (although we received donations nationwide)
