• Ovarian cancer is not an uncommon disease. It is the 4th leading cause of cancer death among women and kills more women than all the other reproductive cancers combined.
  
  
• Deaths from ovarian have risen. 2004 statistics released from the American Cancer Society show that ovarian cancer deaths have risen by close to 20% over 2003 statistics.
  
  
• 90% of women who get the disease have no family history
  
  
• According to a recent study published in England, ovarian cancer is on the rise in younger women.
  
  
• There is not a reliable test for ovarian cancer like the pap smear for cervical cancer or the mammogram for breast cancer. Over 78% of the women diagnosed in 2004 will be diagnosed after the disease has spread when the chance for survival is less than 20%. When ovarian cancer is caught early it is highly curable.

1. HERA Gives First Ovarian Cancer Research Grant to Early Detection Project at Johns Hopkins
   
   One of the missions of the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation is to empower scientists to find new directions in early detection, treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer. To that end, the Foundation provides seed grants to post doc and clinical fellows serving as an incubator for promising young talent and new ideas. The first recipient of the HERA Ovarian Cancer OSB1 Research Grant went to Brant Wang, M.D., PhD at Johns Hopkins for his work in early detection and was given in memory of Dr. Rick Montz, a tireless advocate for improved care for women with ovarian cancer, who passed away in November of 2002.
   
   Johns Hopkins is recognized as a world-leader in the field of cancer research and treatment. Recent discoveries at Hopkins are paving the way for new directions in treatment and early detection of ovarian cancer.



2. HERA Pilot Program Provides Support for Women and Their Families
   
   While we continue to work towards the long-term research goals, the HERA Women's Cancer Foundation is committed to improving the quality of those facing a cancer diagnosis by empowering communities to provide support.
   
   In rural communities, where cancer treatments options are severely limited, most people will be faced with traveling significant distances to get the best treatment. HERA is providing seed grants to seven small communities on the western slope of Colorado and to HOPE, Oklahoma to allow them to offer immediate assistance to aide patients with travel, hotel rooms, childcare, etc. while they are undergoing treatment. There are many free services for children with cancer and their families and almost none for adults, where the needs are no less great.



3. HERA is Creating and Supporting Existing Programs
   
   HERA is committed to reducing death from ovarian cancer by empowering women to take control of their health. We are doing that by helping to establish support and awareness programs in Utah and are funding existing programs in California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Washington, Minnesota and Nevada.



4. HERA Gives Grant for Novel Targets Identification
   
   In January 2004, a grant was given to Dr. Hiroyuki Hoshida in the Department of Molecular Therapeutics M.D. Anderson Center in Houston, Texas for his work in identifying novel targets for controlling ovarian cancer metastases. This work is supported in part by funds raised from Hera Swing for Life.



5. HERA Gives Grants to Young Scientists at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore
   
   Hera gives two more grants to young scientists at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. The first went to Dr. Martina Bazzaro in the Department of Pathology for her work in the development of a new test for early detection.
   
   The second grant went to Dr. Christina Borgeest in the School of Public Health for her work in exploring the role environmental factors like pesticides might play in the development of ovarian cancer. She is studying how endocrine disrupters might alter the estrogen metabolism.
   
   Dr. Borgeest's work is being supported in part by funds raised by the Hera, Black Diamond, REI partnership: Hera Climb for Life REI Road Tour presented by Black Diamond.