In Australia, one woman dies every 10 hours from ovarian cancer.
While awareness of the disease has increased amongst Australians, four in nine women still believe that a pap smear will detect ovarian cancer.
The sad reality is that there is no simple early detection test. Ovarian cancer remains a silent killer, with two thirds of women diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease, and all age groups affected.
The key to changing this statistic and giving women with ovarian cancer a better long-term outlook is early detection.
That’s why a Melbourne based group of six friends, under the name Team Get Your Frock On!, is committed to putting their spare time to good use and fighting for something they believe in – in this case, raising money and awareness for ovarian cancer research.
They also love to frock up and organise super glam events to make a difference, as member of the organising committee and PR person Dimitra Thanis tells Neos Kosmos.
Fundraising in support of Frocktober – a fundraising initiative aiming to raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) through the month of October – last year Team Get Your Frock On reached a whole new level since it was formed in 2010, raising over $30,000.
“We have had amazing business support and successful events over the years including fashion parades at Myer Mural Hall and the Whitehouse Institute of Design, movie nights and Kino and Sun Cinemas and even a fun poker night. To date Get Your Frock On! has raised more than $95,000 and all of this has gone to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. To achieve this, we increased the size of our events, our media exposure and the network of companies that we work with,” Ms Thanis told Neos Kosmos.
This year they are hoping to do the same as they host a Charity Frocktails event at State of Grace Hidden Cellar Bar on 16 October.
All the funds raised will go towards the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, committed to finding a cure and methods of early detection of ovarian cancer.
“The special guest speaking on the night will be our Helen Hatzis, who is an ambassador for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fundation after her own battle with ovarian cancer. Helen wrote a book More Than Luck about her battle with this awful disease which was warmly received, as it told her story in her words,” Ms Thanis said.
“Helen has supported our event over the last couple of years speaking for those who can’t anymore and will do so once again on October 16.”
According to Ms Thanis, the wider Greek community hasn’t failed to support the team.
Its Charity Frocktails on 16 October are being supported generously by Greek businesses, amongst them Maria Avtzoglou of George’s Lingerie, who are this year donating a complete range of satin sleepwear – a major feature of the raffle at this year’s event; and Chris and Dana Xanthis of Alpha Cafe, which has donated corporate catering to the charity event.
“Many professionals attend the event, with a strong Greek contingent of professional women and men who support us and will do so again this year.”
The event will feature performances by Emily Williams, finalist of Australian Idol 2005 and part of Young Divas, and DJ Haylenise, who recently lost her 24-year-old cousin to this silent killer.
“We all have a story to tell and know someone who has been affected. Now it’s time to do something about it. Team Get Your Frock On would love to see you all at the event,” Ms Thanis said.
Charity Frocktails will be held on Thursday 16 October, at Hidden Cellar Bar @ State of Grace, 477 Collins Street, Melbourne. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased online at http://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/GyfoCharityFrocktails or $65 at the door, with all proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/getyourfrockon
To make a donation visit https://frocktober.everydayhero.com/au/team-get-your-frock-on