CAMILLA AND MARC’s “Ovaries. Talk About Them” campaign is returning for its fourth consecutive year to support ovarian cancer research at UNSW Sydney.
The campaign has already raised over $1 million, with 100 per cent of proceeds going towards the work of the Gynaecological Cancer Research Group at UNSW Sydney, led by Professor Caroline Ford.
Over 313,000 people are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year worldwide. Over 75 per cent of these people are diagnosed in the later stages of disease, when treatment is more difficult. There is currently no early detection test, with diagnosis requiring invasive surgery.
In addition, the symptoms of ovarian cancer may be subtle and something that many experience on a monthly or daily basis, including increased abdominal size or persistent abdominal bloating, abdominal or pelvic (lower tummy) pain, feeling full after eating a small amount, and needing to urinate often or urgently. The issue is these symptoms have become so normalised by society that it’s possible we miss the subtle signs.
Prof. Caroline Ford and her team are developing a test based on circulating tumour DNA in blood plasma for early detection of ovarian cancer. The identification of strong candidate biomarkers in the last 12 months have brought the researchers closer further along the journey to clinical trials.
The “Ovaries. Talk About Them” campaign demands that people with ovaries deserve better when it comes to ovarian cancer and gynaecological disease in general.
CAMILLA AND MARC Creative Director Camilla Freeman-Topper says, “This is not just another ovarian cancer campaign, it is a movement that exists for all women, globally. The diabolical statistics women with ovarian cancer face have not changed in over 30 years, as gynaecological cancers remain woefully underfunded and under researched - An indictment on the system that we must collectively change. It’s the year 2023 and the time is now to break down the stigma and stand up so that together, we can fund this early detection test for ovarian cancer and change the face of this disease. We all come from ovaries. We all love someone with ovaries. For the sake of our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our best friends, our aunties and our grandmothers. This is for you.”
CAMILLA AND MARC has this year partnered with London based artist Alba Hodsoll to create a fresh and bold new artwork to be featured as part of a limited-edition collection of unisex T-shirts and sweaters. Hodsoll, renowned globally for her work of the female form, abstractly illustrates a vagina and ovaries for this year's merchandise. 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated directly to Prof. Ford’s early detection research.
CEO Marc Freeman says, “We are relentless in our pursuit to change the face of ovarian cancer. The vision of this campaign is at the very core of our business - supporting women on a global scale and helping to leave the world a better place for future generations. Every single dollar from this campaign goes directly to the lab, to this groundbreaking science lead by an all-female team. Without the funding from this campaign, there would be no progress with this test.”
Professor Caroline Ford says, “This partnership with CAMILLA AND MARC is invaluable to our mission to develop an early detection test for ovarian cancer. The injection of research funds and ongoing support has allowed us to significantly grow our team of scientists and accelerate the development of our ovarian cancer test. Equally important has been the increased awareness of ovarian cancer and the dismissal of women’s pain. We are so proud to be both broadening the conversation and driving the science forward.”
This year’s unisex collection will include:
White Alba Hodsoll Art T-Shirt – RRP $110
Black Alba Hodsoll Art T-Shirt – RRP $110
White Alba Hodsoll Art Fleece Crew – RRP $220
Black Alba Hodsoll Art Fleece Crew – RRP $220
The 2023 CAMILLA AND MARC Ovaries. Talk About Them. Collection will be on sale both in-store and online from 28 March, 2023. CAMILLA AND MARC are encouraging those who buy the T-shirt to share their experience on social media with the tags #ovariestalkaboutthem #CAMILLAANDMARC.
In 2020, CAMILLA AND MARC Founders Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman designed a powerful campaign to start a bold conversation about ovarian cancer. They wanted to change the face of women's health globally and support development of an early detection test.
When Camilla was 11 and Marc was 13, they lost their mother to ovarian cancer. Since their mother passed away almost 30 years ago, very little has advanced or changed in ovarian cancer diagnosis.
The aim is to not only help others avoid the same profound loss and pain that they experienced, but to start a conversation for all people with ovaries about deserving better around gynaecological disease.
Support our campaign with CAMILLA AND MARC to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer. All proceeds will go to our research into an early detection test for ovarian cancer. You can also donate directly.