Dear Rivkin Center Community,
Today, we announce that, after more than 30 years of advancing ovarian cancer research and education, the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research will combine with Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA). This change will take place on April 1, 2025.
This new partnership is a testament to the Rivkin Center’s three decades of leadership in scientific excellence, from funding groundbreaking research to fostering global scientific collaboration through the Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
OCRA’s ability to secure funding through government grants and partnerships with biotech companies makes them a powerful partner in amplifying our shared mission. Partnership with OCRA will ensure sustainable, long-term investments in the ovarian cancer research that has always been the purpose of our work. This partnership represents a uniting of strengths: OCRA has recognized the Rivkin Center’s unique expertise in identifying and funding early-stage, innovative research that often leads to much larger federal grants. In turn, we are honored to partner with an organization that has already invested $128M toward our shared goal of ending ovarian cancer.
OCRA also has trusted information and resources to support the ovarian cancer community – patients, survivors, families, advocates, and medical professionals.
As part of this transition:
- The Rivkin Center will retire as a separate entity on April 1, 2025.
- 2025 scientific grants will be announced in March 2025 as planned.
- OCRA will continue to award the Rivkin Pilot Grants with ~$400k a year dedicated to supporting new ideas in ovarian cancer research throughout the world.
- The SummeRun will continue! The 2025 SummeRun will be held July 13 at Seward Park.
- The Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium will continue and be renamed for Dr. Rivkin.
- Our Scientific Programs Director, Dr. Jackie Lang, will join OCRA, ensuring continuity and driving the programs central to our shared mission. Melissa Rivkin will join the OCRA board of directors.
We understand you may have many questions about this transition, and we’re providing this Q&A to help. My team and I will work closely with OCRA to add information based on your questions and as we finalize details. We will also share updates in the coming months through email and on the Rivkin Center and OCRA websites.
Your support has been crucial in building the Rivkin Center’s reputation as a global leader in ovarian cancer research. Together, we’ve leveraged early-stage funding into transformative breakthroughs, with every $1 invested yielding an average of $17+ in funding from major entities to continue that research. This partnership not only honors what has been important to the Rivkin Center and all of the gifts you’ve given over the years but also allows us to accelerate that impact, advancing the Rivkin Center’s mission to end ovarian cancer within our lifetimes.
Thank you for your belief in this mission and for being part of this incredible journey.
With gratitude and hope,
Molly O’Connor
CEO, Rivkin Center
For questions, please contact info@rivkin.org
Related Pages
Press release Rivkin Center joins OCRA
A message from the Rivkin Family