Dear Friends,

MOCA celebrated 20 years of progress in 2019. Two decades of working together—with you—to make strides against ovarian cancer.

Together—we have grown from a small community of survivors into a major statewide organization, known as a national nonprofit leader in ovarian cancer research and advocacy. Over the past 20 years, MOCA has provided nearly $9 million for ovarian cancer research. In 2019 alone, MOCA funded $680,000 for research focused on early detection, better treatments and a cure.

Together—we have built a vast support network across Minnesota to help ovarian cancer survivors, their families and caregivers. This network continued to grow in 2019, as MOCA expanded support offerings in the Northland. We also added a fourth, yearly public education meeting. These popular meetings inform survivors, families and caregivers on topics important to them including: the emotional impacts of cancer and new clinical trials.

Together—we are reaching out and supporting more women. We are funding promising new research to change the future of this disease. Our founders could’ve only dreamed about MOCA’s progress in the past 20 years.

Together—we have accomplished so much. With your support, just think of what MOCA can do in our next 20 years.

Gratefully,

Kathleen Gavin

MOCA Executive Director

Kris Greer

MOCA Board Chair and Ovarian Cancer Survivor

2019 Impact Highlights

RESEARCH

20 Years of Progress: Funding Life-Saving Ovarian Cancer Research

Since MOCA’s founding 20 years ago, ovarian cancer research has been at the heart of our mission. We are steadfast in our commitment to finding a reliable early detection test, better treatments and someday—a cure for ovarian cancer.     

In 2019, MOCA funded $580,000 for ovarian cancer research projects based in Minnesota. We also continued our third year of providing $100,000 to our National Early Detection Research Awards (NEDRA) for researchers across the United States.

MOCA’s research funding is vital to getting these promising projects off the ground.
Hear it from the researchers themselves.

Melissa Geller, M.D., M.S.

“Without the generous funding provided by MOCA, the ongoing clinical trials we have in Minnesota for women with ovarian cancer would not be possible. My team is forever grateful for the support MOCA has shown to basic and clinical research.”

Melissa Geller, M.D., M.S.

University of Minnesota

Naoko Sasamoto, M.D., M.P.H.

“The primary objective of my research is to discover novel protein biomarkers in blood for early detection of ovarian cancer… We’re hopeful that results from this study will lead to discovery of novel biomarkers that can be used for ovarian cancer screening, which will have a great impact on improving ovarian cancer survival.”

Naoko Sasamoto, M.D., M.P.H.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Minnesota Funded Research

Kare11 Video screen capture

MOCA worked with KARE 11 Reporter Jennifer Austin to highlight the research of Dr. Amy Skubitz. Her work at the University of Minnesota led to the discovery of five new biomarkers linked to ovarian cancer. The goal of this research is to develop the first early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Watch the video

National Funded Research

Stand Up to Cancer
Ovarian Cancer Dream Team Research Funding

In 2019, MOCA continued its partnership for a fourth and final year with the Stand Up to Cancer Ovarian Cancer Dream Team by continuing to fund research and raise awareness. MOCA’s Executive Director Kathleen Gavin served as an advocate on the SU2C team.

MOCA worked to raise awareness of the two prevention trials launched by the team: Women Choosing Surgical Prevention (WISP) and Making Genetic Testing Accessible (MAGENTA). MAGENTA is a clinical trial, testing different ways of delivering genetic services. It gives women the chance to learn about their hereditary risk of breast or ovarian cancer from the comfort of their home.

MOCA worked with WCCO-TV’s Kim Johnson in 2018 to publicize the MAGENTA trial. These efforts led to the enrollment of more than 1,200 women from Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. In 2019, MOCA worked with WCCO-TV on follow-up stories with women at an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer who have taken steps to reduce this risk.

View the story

MOCA also worked with WDIO-TV’s Renee Passal on the Trees of Hope Campaign to share the MAGENTA story with women in northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. This coverage led to additional women from our area enrolling in the trial, which subsequently closed due to full enrollment.

WDIO.com website screen capture

Watch the video

MEDICAL EDUCATION

20 Years of Progress: Providing Vital Education to the Medical Community

MOCA is making a lasting impact through our thriving medical education program. Our Survivors Teaching Students® or STS® Program allows health care providers to hear directly from survivors about their personal experiences. The program aims to increase early detection of ovarian cancer, so more women are diagnosed earlier when the disease is more treatable.

MOCA Survivors Teaching Students

MOCA has 19 survivors involved at ten different colleges and universities across Minnesota.

Medical Schools

• Mayo Clinic
• University of Minnesota

Nurse Practitioner Programs

• College of St. Scholastica, Duluth campus
• College of St. Scholastica, St. Cloud campus
• Minnesota State University Mankato
• Winona State University

Physician Assistant Programs

• Augsburg College
• College of St. Scholastica, PA program
• St. Catherine University
• Bethel University

We know our STS® program is making a difference, because we hear it directly from the students we teach.

Here’s what a few students from the College of St. Scholastica Physician Assistant Program (Duluth) shared with us:

“Your experiences and advice will take
us much farther than any textbook ever could.”

“Thank you for all your personal stories. They really hit
home and will forever impact my future practice and outlook on life!”

“Thank you for the wonderful gift of sharing your
personal stories. You have inspired all of us to be caring
and empathetic providers.”

Nursing Scholarships

Since 2006, MOCA has provided more than $52,000 to 36 nurses and physician assistants to attend educational conferences that help improve the care of women with ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer survivors value the care provided by nurses and physicians assistants. These health care providers play a critical role in the care of ovarian cancer patients.

MOCA is proud to honor these care providers with scholarship awards from the Lubov Arnold Fund. In 2019, the fund previously known as the Walter and Anita Lubov Fund was renamed to honor the Lubov’s daughter, Jan Arnold, who passed away in 2017.

MOCA awarded this scholarship to Diana Jankovich to attend the annual conference of the Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists in Nashville, Tennessee. Jankovich is a nurse care coordinator at M Health Fairview Masonic Cancer Clinic.


Diana Jankovich, RN, OCN

“The award meant so much to me both personally and professionally. I’ve never been honored with such a generous award, and I have only been able to afford similar events or free educational offerings until now.”

Diana Jankovich, RN, OCN

M Health Fairview Masonic Cancer Clinic — 2019 Lubov Scholarship Recipient


The Pederson scholarship, established in 2016 to honor the memory of Janet Louise Pederson, honors a University of Minnesota oncology nurse by providing $1,000 for educational advancement. MOCA awarded the 2019 Pederson scholarship to Chantal Skon to support her pursuit of a Master of Science in Nursing program.

Chantal Skon, RN, BSN

“Upon completion of this degree, I will take a position that allows me to educate future nurses who will be working with patients with ovarian cancer. I hope that my professional experience in combination with academic preparation will be beneficial to these nurses of the future and ultimately their patients.”

Chantal Skon, RN, BSN

University of Minnesota — 2019 Pederson Scholarship Recipient

SUPPORT

20 Years of Progress: Supporting Women and Families Facing Ovarian Cancer

MOCA has offered meaningful support and connection for ovarian cancer survivors, their loved ones and caregivers for the past 20 years.

We are here for you—from support groups and mentoring to one-on-one visits.

Stefanie and Marianne
Living Well

Two support groups held monthly in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area provided survivors with an opportunity to connect with each other and find support by sharing similar experiences.

In 2019, MOCA expanded outreach in the Northland by adding two support meetings in Duluth, Minnesota for ovarian cancer survivors and families.

MOCA also added a fourth meeting to our series of educational Living Well events. Two of the most popular events included “Understanding Clinical Trials” and “The Emotional Impacts of Cancer.” The Living Well meetings were “livestreamed” on Facebook, so women everywhere could view and ask questions.

Our Community Support Program Manager Stefanie Gliniany connected with 75 survivors in person, over the phone and through email.

The MOCA Mentor Program continued to match ovarian cancer survivors with women who’ve faced similar situations and want to connect by phone.

MOCA Cares Kit

Moca Cares Kit

In 2019, MOCA provided 60 women with our MOCA Cares Kits. The kits are designed to bring comfort to recently diagnosed ovarian cancer survivors and those experiencing a recurrence of the disease.

MOCA Cares Kits include a small backpack filled with comfort items including: a journal, pen, MOCA mug, green tea, socks and other items. Barb’s Beanies joined with MOCA in 2019, donating their soft fabric beanies to add to our Cares Kits.

MOCA provides these kits, free of charge and delivers them in person or by mail. We often receive notes of appreciation.

“It was a wonderful surprise to receive your care package. I will proudly use these items. I am resolved to win my battle one day at a time.”
– Ovarian Cancer Survivor

MOCA Dream Awards

10+ years.
Hundreds of dreams.

MOCA has been making dreams come true since 2008. The MOCA Dream Awards program is funded entirely by a generous, anonymous donor. In 2019, MOCA awarded $39,000 to nine women. Annie Cull is one of our award recipients who attended a writer’s workshop in Costa Rica.

Annie Cull

“I am deeply grateful to the generous donor who funded my MOCA Dream Award. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart which is now so much more open and close to the surface than I ever thought possible.”
– Annie Cull, MOCA Dream Award Recipient

Jodie’s Fund

Jodie’s fund was established in 2014 by the family of Jodie Rychwalski to honor her memory. Each year, MOCA provides multiple travel awards to the Ovarian Cancer Survivors’ Retreat at Camp Mak-A-Dream in Missoula, Montana.

In 2019, MOCA granted Barbara Commers and Michelle Messer with travel awards from Jodie’s Fund.

AWARENESS & EVENTS

20 Years of Progress: Raising Awareness about Ovarian Cancer

Our founders could’ve only dreamed about the lasting impact of MOCA’s awareness efforts over the past twenty years! From our HOM Teal Strides for Ovarian Cancer to our Black, White & Teal Gala—MOCA events bring our community together, year after year. Together, we will continue to change the future of ovarian cancer by increasing awareness, inspiring survivors and raising funds for research and programming.

MOCA Annual Events

HOM Teal Strides<br /> for Ovarian Cancer

HOM Teal Strides
for Ovarian Cancer

The largest walk/run for ovarian cancer in the Midwest!

2,150 attendees
Raised $288,000

Black, White & Teal Gala

Black, White & Teal Gala

An evening of hope and inspiration to benefit ovarian cancer research and support!

523 attendees
Raised $182,000

Molly Cade Scramble<br /> for Ovarian Cancer

Molly Cade Scramble
for Ovarian Cancer

MOCA supporters take a swing against ovarian cancer at our annual golf scramble!

140 attendees
Raised $68,000

Light Duluth Teal and<br /> Elizabeth Busche Memorial<br /> Golf Tournament

Light Duluth Teal and
Elizabeth Busche Memorial
Golf Tournament

A weekend of celebration and inspiration in the Northland to raise funds for MOCA research and programs!

240 attendees
Raised $53,000


Supporter Fundraisers

Teal Motorcycle

Fight Like a Girl Motorcycle Rally

This annual motorcycle rally for MOCA hosted its’ 8th annual event in 2019, raising more than $10,000.

 

 

Carol Novak Legacy Golf Tournament

A group of sisters organized this golf tournament in memory of their mother, Carol Novak. The event raised $25,000 for MOCA in 2019.

Golf carts at Carol Novak Golf Tournament 2019

 

 

Glenwood Gala 2019

Glenwood Gala

The Glenwood Gala is hosted by Amanda and Curt Ogdahl and held in Glenwood, Minnesota. This year’s gala raised $12,000 for MOCA.

 

 

Spin It Teal / Give to the Max Day Efforts

Spin It Teal and Give to the Max combined for another successful year in 2019! Thanks to a generous matching gift from MOCA supporters Bob and Pam MacDonald, MOCA raised $80,000 on Give to the Max Day in Minnesota! This amount funds our annual Spin It Teal/Give to the Max Day Research Award, focused on preventing ovarian cancer recurrence.

stationary bike riders

 

 

 

Unleash the SHE for MOCA

The annual Unleash the SHE walk/run held by Final Stretch, Inc. took place in Rochester. Participants walked, raced and raised more than $9,000 for MOCA in 2019.

Awareness Events

 

Tie It Teal with the Minnesota Twins 2019
Minnesota Twins Logo

Tie It Teal with the Twins Night

MOCA held its annual Tie It Teal with the Twins Night at Target Field, raising awareness about ovarian cancer with thousands of baseball fans. MOCA Board Vice-Chair Teri Woodhull also appeared in an interview on Fox Sports North to share our message with viewers.

 

 

Minnesota Wild Logo

Minnesota Wild Hockey Fights Cancer Charity

For the first time, the Minnesota Wild selected MOCA as one of three Minnesota charities for the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. MOCA was able to reach a new audience and share our message with thousands of hockey fans on Hockey Fights Cancer Night, November 2. The Wild also highlighted MOCA during a special game for MOCA on November 29.

Minnesota Wild Hockey Mascot

Financials

MOCA has achieved the highest possible ratings from GuideStar and Charity Navigator. We’ve also received top ratings from Charities Review Council and BBB WiseGiving Alliance for transparency and accountability.

The information presented is drawn from Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance’s financial statements, audited by CliftonLarsonAllen. They are available upon request or on our website at mnovarian.org

Board Members

Kris<br /> Greer

Kris
Greer

Chair
(Current)

Mary Pat Oslund

Mary Pat Oslund

Chair
(January – May 2019)

Teri Woodhull

Teri Woodhull

Vice
Chair

David<br /> Gehant

David
Gehant

Secretary
(Current)

Meghan<br /> Hansen

Meghan
Hansen

Secretary
(January – May 2019)

Ginger Wilhelmi

Ginger Wilhelmi

Treasurer

Michelle<br /> Chaffee

Michelle
Chaffee

(January – May 2019)

Rebecca<br /> Drexler

Rebecca
Drexler

Corinne<br /> Florin

Corinne
Florin

Ellen Kleinbaum

Ellen Kleinbaum

Nancy<br /> Libbey

Nancy
Libbey

Carol<br /> Pederson

Carol
Pederson

Marcia Trevarthen

Marcia Trevarthen

Tara<br /> Wain

Tara
Wain

John<br /> Wetzel

John
Wetzel

Joe<br /> Cade

Joe
Cade

Honorary Member

Susan<br /> Kushner

Susan
Kushner

Honorary Member

MOCA Staff

Kathleen Gavin

Executive Director

Stefanie Gliniany

Community Support Program Manager

Jody Ambroz McArdle

Communications Manager

Kate Micek

Grants Manager

June Miller

Data Entry Specialist

Annie Oakes

Events Manager

Rebecca West

Finance Manager

Constance White

Operations and Membership Manager