Scientific awards also given to researchers at Johns Hopkins University and University of Colorado
Seattle, WA – In a bold move for ovarian cancer research in Washington state, the Rivkin Center for
Ovarian Cancer Research, in partnership with the state’s Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE)
Fund, announced today the 2024 recipients of the new Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards. This is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership for ovarian cancer research that will invest $1M in ovarian cancer research in Washington state over the next two years.
The 2024 recipients:
– Dr. Holly Harris, associate professor of Epidemiology at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Dr. Harris’s research aims to identify ovarian cancer risk factors among women with endometriosis.
– Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, gynecologic oncologist, University of Washington School of Medicine
professor and co-leader of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Program at the Fred Hutch/UW
Cancer consortium. Dr. Swisher’s research focuses on overcoming barriers to genetic testing for
hereditary ovarian cancer risk, a key step toward prevention.
Each awardee will receive $200,000 over two years. The partnership will award another $600,000 in new
grants in 2025. These awards represent the shared commitment of the Rivkin Center and the CARE Fund to invest in research that has the potential to dramatically improve understanding, prevention, detection and treatment of ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecological cancer because there is still no test to detect it in its
earliest, most treatable and most survivable stages. While treatment options have improved, a late diagnosis means that fewer than half of the women diagnosed with ovarian cancer will survive beyond five years.
“Through our partnership with the CARE Fund, we are making an unprecedented investment in ovarian
cancer research in Washington state to help get the answers we need to save more lives,” said Rivkin
Center CEO Molly O’Connor. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have such committed leaders in ovarian cancer research right here in our state.”
“Together, we’re setting a new standard for how public and private organizations can unite to tackle one of the most challenging and underfunded cancers,” said David R. Byrd, MD, Chair of the CARE Fund Board.
In addition to the new Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards, the Rivkin Center announced two Pilot Study
Awards of $75,000 each to Dr. Utthara Nayar of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who is pursuing a
fast-track to clinical testing of a new treatment for low-grade serous ovarian cancers, and Dr. Zachary Watson of University of Colorado Denver, who is exploring a new driver for ovarian cancer development in post-menopausal women. Pilot Study Awards fund novel, innovative ideas that are in the early stages of discovery.
Since 1999, the Rivkin Center has invested $16.4M in ovarian cancer research worldwide, helping to launch new research and new researchers. At an average return of $17.3 for every dollar the Rivkin Center invests, these early funds have helped researchers secure another nearly $280M in funding to continue their work.