Together, we will save women’s lives

You can change the story for thousands of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer and their families each year.

This year, over 1,600 women in British Columbia will face a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. You can help. 

The Gynecologic Cancer Initiative has partnered with our institutional fundraising organizations. All the partner funds circle back to support gynecologic cancer research in BC.

You can choose the impact you make today.

BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer. Every dollar raised fuels world-leading research to find new more effective treatments that will rapidly benefit women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer.

BC Women’s Health Foundation is BC’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the full spectrum of women’s health. Donations support their campaign to eliminate cervical cancer by funding screening and vaccination research in BC.

Philanthropy strengthens the UBC Faculty of Medicine as we train the next generation of health care professionals and make remarkable discoveries in gynecologic cancer research, helping to create the pathways to better health for women, families and communities.

The Foundation funds the people, tools and technology we need to provide the best patient care and invest in world-leading research. Donors are vital to improving the patient journey and outcomes for all patients living with ovarian, uterine and vulvar cancer through world class prevention, diagnosis and treatment research.


To make a transformational gift, contact us at 604-675-8211 or info@gynecancerinitiative.ca

Donor Impact

Your generous donations support world-leading gynecologic cancer research and care, helping save women’s lives in British Columbia.

Former patient shares her skills to tackle gynecologic cancers

Nancy McKinstry, a skilled corporate strategist in BC’s financial sector, has volunteered to coordinate strategy for the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative. They have set itself two ambitious goals for the next 15 years.

$10 million for cervical cancer research

Federal government partners with BC Women’s Health Foundation, to support national cervical cancer research led by globally-recognized GCI physician and researcher, Dr. Gina Ogilvie and her team.

An angel for ovarian cancer research

Inspired by medical and scientific discoveries in BC, Dr. Chew’s family and friends have honoured his determination to improve cancer outcomes by giving more than $8.5 million to the UBC Faculty of Medicine in the past five years.

OVCARE provides Vancouver woman a second chance at life

Candy Woodworth was diagnosed with ovarian cancer six years ago, undergoing three surgeries and 18 sessions of chemotherapy. Thanks to world-class research and care here in BC, Candy has regained her life. 

Young woman donates tissue to break down rare cancers 

Eileen Mattioli, diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of the ovary (hypercalcemic type) made the decision to donate her tissue samples to help advance research and find new treatments for other women facing the disease. 

New tool to accelerate ovarian cancer research

Together with partners in BC’s mining industry, Barry Smee has enabled BC Cancer to acquire a cutting edge tool that will uncover molecule-level clues that lead to cancer, advancing much-needed treatment strategies for this disease.

A transformative $1-million gift to help reduce ovarian cancer cases

Ovarian cancer research at BC Cancer has received a large boost thanks to Rob Collins, through the Janet D. Cottrelle Foundation, who generously donated $1 million to support ovarian cancer research at BC Cancer.

Building hope for women and families facing ovarian cancer

Rudy and Patrician North have committed $2.5 million to OVCARE – an internationally recognized ovarian cancer research team that is working to battle ovarian cancer on all levels: prevention, early detection and treatment.

In Her Mother’s Name – Shiraz Italia’s Story

Shiraz Italia was 12 when her mom died of ovarian cancer. If Shiraz hadn’t pursued genetic testing to determine her own risk, her daughter might have lost her at an even younger age. Now her family is donating to BC Cancer’s renowned OVCARE Program.