WELCOME TO OCAF!   

Hi!  We’ve been waiting for you! The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida exists to raise awareness and help educate women and girls about gynecologic cancers with the intent to save more lives.  The information contained within this site is designed to support that single focus.  OCAF is an amazing community of survivors, family, friends and medical professionals who are dedicated to do everything possible to enlighten the world until such time as there are diagnostic tests for every form of gynecologic cancer.  We invite you to look around our site to learn who’s involved, what we’re accomplishing, get your questions answered and see all the fun we have when we get together for our special events.  You are also most welcome to become a part of our incredible community.

Thanks for stopping by, and we hope you’ll share us with all the women and girls you love.  Together we’ll save more lives.

Be well!

Mission Statement

The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida unites diverse individuals, organizations and health care providers throughout Florida, working together for change, providing resources, supporting research and early detection and treatment that will help save women’s lives.

History

In November of 1997, the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida (OCAF) had its modest beginnings around a kitchen table at the home of three-time ovarian cancer survivor, and current OCAF Executive Director Bonnie Donihi.  Together with other survivors and supporters including Ruthie Snyder, Kay Talton, Sandy Durr, Lorraine McColley, Nancy Doninger, Lollie Charland and Kim Mould, this group of passionate and dedicated women set forth to build the framework of what would evolve into our non-profit today.

The main purpose of OCAF in those early days was to educate the public about what was then referred to as the “silent killer.”  Today we understand there are recognized symptoms, but they are often so similar to other conditions that women and girls experience it is still crucial to provide education and awareness to the community.  For example, too many women and girls misunderstand that a Pap test detects all types of gynecologic cancers, but that is not the case.  A Pap test only detects cervical cancer.  Currently, there are no diagnostic tests for ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar cancers.  The best defense we still have at this time is knowledge, which makes the work performed by OCAF critically important to Florida families.

• OCAF’s first event was a candlelight vigil held at Crane’s Roost Park in Altamonte Springs in September of 1999.  More than 500 people gathered to lend their support for ovarian cancer awareness immediately showing a real need for greater public education about gynecologic health.
• The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida incorporated, applied for and received 501 (c) 3 non-profit status in 2002.
• In addition to events and programs, The Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Florida administers grant money for research.  Current recipients include The University of Central Florida College of Nursing and Florida Hospital Cancer Institute.

(If you would like to enlarge the text within this website, hold down the control button and tap the + sign to reach the desired font size).