Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2018, MOCA awarded $775,000 to ovarian cancer research projects. During MOCA’s Annual Meeting, we awarded $675,000 to 5 Minnesota-based research projects and $100,000 to 2 national research projects focused on early detection. This brought the total amount of research funding that MOCA has provided to nearly $8 million.
In 2018, MOCA provided the Survivors Teaching Students (STS) program to more than 400 students at both Minnesota medical schools, four Minnesota physician assistant programs, and three nurse practitioner programs. MOCA awarded three Anita and Walter Lubov Fund oncology nurse scholarships for a total of $7260 and one Pederson oncology nurse scholarship for $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 11 women with MOCA Dream Awards and funded three 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 2018. MOCA’s major fundraising events saw great success during the year. HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer celebrated our 19th year of our annual fundraising event in 2018. We had nearly 3,000 registered participants and raised more than $330,000 for ovarian cancer research and support programs.
Current Goals
In early 2019, we announced that MOCA will award $680,000 in research funding during MOCA’s Annual Meeting in May.
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 2019.
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 2019, we have a goal to raise a record $340,000 for ovarian cancer research, support and programming through 20th 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 $200,000 through both events.
We also plan to ensure that our programs reach under served 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