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HEAL THE TEAL: REDUCE THE IMPACT OF OVARIAN
CANCER ON NEW ZEALAND WOMEN
H - Help women diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer
E - Educate on the early symptoms
A - Advocate for increased resources
L - Look for an early diagnosis
The SIANZ National Project Journey -
2021: Rural Women NZ held a webinar on ovarian cancer, their National Project at the time. A few Soroptimists watched the webinar and this sparked their interest.
2022: In May, SI Wellington nominated, seconded by SI Rangatahi Wellington, The Ovarian Cancer Project to be the SIANZ National Project. It received overwhelming approval at the SIANZ AGM, making ovarian cancer awareness the official National Project for 2022-2025, under the leadership of Andrea Murray. All 19 clubs across Aotearoa New Zealand were encouraged to choose activities to achieve the aim of the National Project in whatever way they saw fit.
2024: September, the Ovarian Cancer National Project was nominated by SI Westland, seconded by SI Nelson, to continue for a further two years, 2025 - 2027, and was unanimously approved. A formalised project plan including the collection of data and impact was developed, and clubs were encouraged to choose ways to support it.
The SIANZ National Project Convenors 2025 - 2027 are Raelene McMullan and Yvonne Simpson QSM
The Aim of this Project:
The Charities We Are Supporting
Click on the logos to go to their websites.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT:
Between 1 May 2025 and 31 January 2026
18 Soroptimist clubs have
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Undertaken 65 activities for this project
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Collectively raised $27840
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(From 2022 when the project started to 31 January 2026: $ $99210.00 has been raised in total)
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Supported the equivalent of 30 Physiotherapy sessions
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Raised awareness of early symptoms to 4635 people. Plus reached a potential 53,000 women through a campaign of posters explaining the early symptoms
Check Out What Clubs Have Been Doing For This Project October 2025
SI North Canterbury
SI North Canterbury held 16 events for Frocktober. All members were challenged to get involved, singly or in small groups.
They raised over $3800 by inviting friends to cocktail evening, morning or afternoon teas. Their brief was to have fun, raise funds and ensure everyone who attended understood the early symptoms of Ovarian cancer and had a pamphlet about it to take away to share with a friend.
SI New Plymouth: Champion fundraisersRaising
SI New Plymouth made an outstanding contribution to Frocktober. There many activities raised over $4000. Events included morning teas, exercise classes, Frocks on Bikes, holding events in retirement villages, painting rocks and distributing the messages about Ovarian Cancer through Pukekura Park
Small Clubs: Mighty EffortRaising
SI Tauranga is a small club, but they proved they were mighty at fundraising $1200 through seeking sponsorship for two presentation events.
SI Invercargill raised over $1100 and awareness of the early symptoms by holding a successful high tea.
SI Wellington: Garage Sale
SI Wellington held a successful garage sale with funds going to K9 Medical Detection
Together, we can raise awareness, support life-saving research, and advocate for the health and wellbeing of women everywhere. Whether through volunteering, fundraising, or simply spreading the word, your involvement can help us save lives.