About Us
Ovacome is a charity founded on personal experience. Our
founder, Sarah Dickinson, herself an ovarian cancer sufferer,
wanted other women to be able to access clear, reliable
information, support and advice. The work we do today still
reflects her vision.
What we offer
We are a registered charity established in 1996 with over 5,000
members that provides support and information for women affected by
ovarian cancer, their families and friends. It is free to join.
We provide a nurse-led telephone and email support service
staffed by medical professionals that can answer clinical
questions, talk through the issues, provide emotional support,
advice and chat.
We publish our newsletter three times a year which is packed
with information about the latest ovarian cancer research, trials
and lots of news from our members. Ovacome also publishes
authoritative clinical information for people affected by ovarian
cancer and for health professionals, and represents the interests
of women to the health service, the medical and research
establishments and decision makers.
We value contact with our members and have developed friendships
with many of them. Every year Ovacome runs a free Members' Day with
talks by top health professionals and researchers and sessions
which provide opportunities for women with ovarian cancer to meet
and support each other.
We are here for people affected by ovarian cancer.
Sarah's Letter
My interest in ovarian cancer grew stronger as my disease
progressed. The more treatment and surgery I underwent, the more I
needed to get my hands on the right information. This proved very
difficult, and I gradually realised what a 'silent' disease this
is. There is research going on, but it's fairly unpublicised. More
importantly I could find no support group to provide me with the
information and the contact with others that I needed.
So, I decided to 'do my bit' to raise awareness. I wrote my
story, and it was published in the February 1996 issue of Good
Housekeeping magazine. The story concentrated on the effect of my
cancer on my small family, particularly the implications for my
three year old daughter and her likely future without a mother. The
article obviously touched a nerve, and I was overwhelmed by the
response, from sufferers, families and friends of sufferers, health
professionals, well wishers and the media. I rewrote the article
for the Mirror Woman; Michèle and I appeared on BBC 1's Good
Morning programme; and I also appeared on Sky One.
Ovacome is the result of my little campaign, and I can only hope
that it will be a success, because the letters I received show that
it is needed. I know that I have benefited tremendously by hearing
from women who are going through a similar experience, and I was
inspired to speak to women who have survived.
I want to give this chance to others.
Sarah Dickinson