*The 2012 Ovar'coming Together Survivors' Luncheon will be held on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 12:30PM. All Ovarian Cancer Survivors are invited to the annual celebration which takes place at The Historic Marott in the Crystal Ballroom (2625 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis). Enjoy the company of other survivors from across Indiana, a delicious lunch, door prizes, networking, and entertainment by Katie Stam-Irk, Ovar'coming Together Board Member and Miss America 2009. Survivors are free of charge. Guests (max. 2) are invited at $10 per guest. RSVP by calling 317-925-6643 or by emailing us. We hope you can join us!

*Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Midwest Regional Conference to be held in Indianapolis on Saturday, MARCH 10th! Join survivors, caregivers and medical professionals to learn about local research and clinical trials, ways to become involved in the fight against ovarian cancer, and quality of life issues. Registration is $50 and covers breakfast, lunch and materials. Please register by Friday, March 2nd. For discounted overnight room rates at JW Marriott, secure your room by February 8th. View Conference Details and Download Registration Form

*Restaurant Nights -- Each month, one or more generous Indiana restaurants will donate a portion of the cost of its guests' meals to Ovar'coming Together. February's restaurant is City Barbeque, located at 7863 US 31 South in Indianapolis. On MONDAY, FEB. 27th, from 10:30am-10pm, 25% of the proceeds from food and product purchases will be donated. Dine-in and carry-out orders apply. You MUST PRINT and take the event flyer in order for your meal to be credited to Ovar'coming Together.

*Visit our VIDEO GALLERY! Hear a message from WNBA All-Star & Olympic Gold Medalist Tamika Catchings, learn about the BRCA gene, the benefits of knowing your family history of cancer, and more!

See "Local News Archive" (at left) for more

Ovar'coming Together is proud to be a co-founder & partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, a national advocacy organization for women with ovarian cancer. OCNA works at the national level for increases in research funding for development of an early detection test, improved health care practices, & life-saving treatment protocols. Many of the national stories & updates printed here are republished from or referenced by OCNA. www.ovariancancer.org

-Jan. 13, 2012 -Faulty proteins may prove significant in identifying new treatments for ovarian cancer Oregon Health & Science University

-Jan. 10, 2012 - Chemotherapy Associated with Microscopic Changes in the Brain National Cancer Institute

-Jan. 5, 2012 - Race, insurance influence treatment of advanced ovarian cancer Modern Medicine

-Dec. 28, 2011 - Avastin for ovarian cancer slows tumors but fails to prolong life The Washington Post

-Dec. 26, 2011 - DICER Mutation Found in Numerous Rare Cancers, Including Ovarian OCNA

-Dec. 26, 2011 - PARP Inhibitor Olarparib Fails to Meet Trial Endpoints OCNA

See "Cancer News Archive" (at left) for more

Volunteer Opportunties Ovar'coming Together has several office tasks available for the helping hands of our volunteers!  HOPE packets--HOPE packets are in need of assembly to deliver to medical offices.     Handmade Teal Ribbon Lapel Pins--All materials will be provided for the project.  Storage Room Organization--Transfer and organization of items is greatly needed.  General Office Maintenance:  General organization of office supplies and items is needed.   To volunteer, please contact Micah at 317.925.6643 or mnicholson@ovarian-cancer.org.  Join us in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 10 for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Midwest Regional Conference. The conference will bring together survivors, caregivers and medical professionals to learn about local research and clinical trials, ways to be involved in our cause and quality of life issues. In addition, attendees will learn about local resources and meet survivors and caregivers from the area. Click here to learn more and register.  Registration is $50 and covers breakfast, lunch and materials. Click here to register. Please register by Friday, March 2, 2012. We have reserved some rooms at the JW Marriott at the discounted rate of $169 per night. Rooms must be reserved by February 8, 2012 to receive this rate. To reserve a room click here or call 866-704-6162 and mention you are with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance conference. The Midwest Regional Conference is hosted by the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and our Partner Members: Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Ovar'Coming Together (IN),  Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Ohio and Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance. What: Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Midwest Regional Conference      When: Saturday, March 10, 2012    Where: JW Marriott 10 S West Street Indianapolis, IN 46204     Registration: $50 per person; includes breakfast, lunch and materials     Questions: Call (202) 331-1332 or email us  Ovar'coming Together is a proud partner member of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and thanks them for their representation on Capitol Hill.  Congress Funds Ovarian Cancer Research & Education in the 2012 Fiscal Year!       Dear Advocate:  There is wonderful news out of Washington today for women with ovarian cancer and those who care about them. Congress has passed an omnibus appropriations bill for this fiscal year, which includes everything the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) asked for! OCNA fought for funding to support critical ovarian cancer research and education programs. Despite the difficult economy, OCNA won!  Below is a comprehensive overview of the financial support received from the approved appropriations bill. $5 million for Johanna's Law: The Gynecologic Education and Awareness Act, which received no funding in last year's appropriations bill. $4.9 million for the Ovarian Cancer Control Initiative, which was initially cut from the funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. $16 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) run by the Department of Defense. This is a tremendous victory, as the Senate initially proposed funding of just $10 million. The Alliance organized a letter, signed by our Partner Members and colleague organizations, that urged Congress to support the House funding level of $16 million. The letter noted that "the OCRP's unique method of funding ovarian cancer research has yielded tremendous breakthroughs in the fight against ovarian cancer." The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is grateful to the many members of Congress who supported our requests, especially Representatives Dan Burton and Rosa DeLauro. They took the lead on a letter that encouraged funding for the OCRP, saying "Designed to promote increased flexibility, OCRP research produces innovative, high impact and valuable results through strategic partnerships between advocates, lab scientists and clinicians." Thank you to all the advocates who sent thousands of emails and made scores of calls to Congress this year, letting them know just how many Americans are touched by ovarian cancer and why we need dedicated funding for education and research. This feat could not have been reached without your efforts. With warmest regards, Karen Orloff Kaplan, MPH, MSW, ScD The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Chief Executive Officer