When I was little, I had a vague idea about what I thought my adult life would be like. It didn’t include a cancer diagnosis. Or establishing a nonprofit. And as a devoted humanities major heading to law school, I didn’t think I’d ever be in a position to tell a scientist something they didn’t already know. Why would I?
Four years ago, that changed. I had become a 5-year cancer survivor providing a critically important patient perspective to cancer researchers. In April 2022 I had the idea to establish a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for ovarian cancer research while also addressing the gap in scientist-survivor collaboration. At the time, I wondered if anyone else cared about these issues. It turns out that they do.
Somehow, I convinced my gynecologic oncologist to join me in this endeavor. I described to him my vision for the “Drescher-Powell Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.” He pushed back on one thing only: my name had to be first. On May 17, 2022, the Powell-Drescher Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation was born.
It’s four years later, and so much has happened. We have raised almost $600,000, funded one ovarian cancer pilot study, launched an application for a second study, and helped 11 survivors become advocates. We’ve gathered a community of local survivors, and reach advocates everywhere through our webinars. With your help we’ve accomplished this as a team of volunteers and two part-time assistants doing the work in the “free time” between day jobs, grocery shopping, and raising kids. But there is so much more to come: in addition to funding more and bigger grants, we plan to further support scientists in developing collaborative partnerships with advocates, hire a part-time executive director, and, of course, continue all the work we’ve already started.
Four years. It’s been a wild ride consisting of some false starts, a lot of problem solving, and the occasional quagmire. But what an incredible impact to have on ovarian cancer, and all because of your support. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Well, I’d skip the cancer diagnosis if I could.
Sachia Stonefeld Powell
Co-Founder of the Powell-Drescher Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation
