Ova2you launch, We're official!

Sunday's launch of Ova2you at Shanghai Lings was a wonderful gathering of about 130 people. The place was abuzz as people began arriving at 11.30. Guitarists Daniel and Declan created a relaxed atmosphere, as new and old friends met up, making and strengthening connections, and we savoured the wonderful yum cha, provided by our hosts Wen and Ling.

The speakers powerfully and succinctly drew attention to the need to shed light on ovarian cancer, and created a palpable sense of the urgency and importance of this campaign.

Glenda Ballantyne, founding member of Ova2you, made a passionate call to action—to match the significantly improved outcomes for women with breast cancer that have been made over the past two decades. Ova2you is focusing its efforts on symptom awareness through grassroots events—from morning teas to blues nights—and lobbying state and federal governments via a petition for improved services and research funding.

Colleen Hartland, Green's MLC representing the Western Metropolitan Region in the Victorian State Parliament, spoke movingly of the death of her sister from this disease, and pledged her support to the cause. Look out for an Ova2you morning tea at the Victorian Parliament soon.

Kelvin Thompson, the Federal Member for Wills, paid tribute to Judith's inspiration and generosity in initiating and implementing Ova2you, and outlined the representations he has made on behalf of Ova2you to state and federal health ministers.

It was then ova to Dr Deborah Neesham—a subspecialist Gynaecological Oncologist who has worked as a consultant in the Oncology and Dysplasia Unit at the Royal Women’s Hospital since 1998 and is a director of the Women’s Cancer Foundation—to officially launch Ova2you. She too paid tribute to Judith’s courage, and made clear to us all the immense significance of the campaign Judith has set in motion.

A couple of lucky people won those coveted door prizes, the rest of us having to be content with swags of fabulous Ova2you postcards, petitions, and symptom diaries to distribute. The tangible energy, and the enthusiasm and eagerness to take the aims of Ova2you further, in very practical ways, was striking.
Festivities continued with one of Melbourne's greatest musical treasures, Andy Baylor and his band, and the knock-out Kerri Simpson, Australi's queen of the blues. 'Route 66', or was it 'These boots are made for walking', unleashed the dormant go-go dancer in many, especially Jude.

I think all those who attended and all those who helped make it happen would agree this warm, lively event was a raging success. Special thanks must go to Wen and Ling for their generosity in providing the wonderful yum cha and venue, and to all those others who helped make the day such as success. It was great! Now it's ova2you to get those petitions signed and those afternoon teas happening.