Ovaries: Talk About Them. Camilla and Marc’s mission
No one would be here without them, yet there is still no early detection ovarian cancer test. Australian fashion design duo Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman are seeking to change that.
In its fourth consecutive year, their global campaign, Ovaries. Talk About Them, aims to get an early detection blood test to clinical trials by 2026.
The mission is personal and powerful. Founders of the iconic Australian label Camilla and Marc tragically lost their mother Pam to ovarian cancer at just 11 and 13-years-old. Daily, someone in New Zealand will find out they have ovarian cancer, and for every 100 people diagnosed, only 36 will still be alive after five years. Camilla and Marc want to change this course of diagnosis and devastation.
One of the most powerful philanthropic campaigns in the Australian fashion industry, Ovaries. Talk About Them has raised over $1.7million for the UNSW Gynaecological Cancer Research Group. Supercharged with support and funding, the team of Prof Caroline Ford, Dr Kristina Warton, and scientists and researchers at the lab have seen a breakthrough.
Strides have been made, having developed a world-first unique 3-target signature that can detect all ovarian cancer types. The team reports that this brings them much closer to getting an early detection blood test to clinical trials by 2026.
Head researcher Dr Warton says “An early detection test has the scope to improve outcomes and save lives for people with ovarian cancer all over the world. Our goal is to make this test successful through a simple blood draw and a PCR reaction, without a need for specialised imaging equipment or invasive medical procedures. Early diagnosis, before the tumour has spread, is the most accessible and equitable path to health care for people at risk of ovarian cancer and will have life-changing impacts for people diagnosed with this disease.”
Camilla says the effort and breakthroughs with the early detection test have been “nothing short of extraordinary. We feel immense pride towards the team at UNSW for their tireless efforts, as well as everyone who has continually supported our Ovaries. Talk About Them. campaign. Without this funding we would not have reached this significant milestone. None of us would be here without ovaries and this disease has been silenced for too long. Millions continue to be affected every year, yet there is still no test. It is not good enough. My mother deserved better. We all deserve better.”
To purchase from the collection or donate, head to camillaandmarc.com to continue the push towards early detection tests. 100% of proceeds go directly towards research.
Image: Model Georgia Fowler and her children, wears the 2024 Ovaries. Talk About Them collection.
