The Mathilda Miracle - November 25, 2012

I want to share with you a miracle of sorts that just occurred as the Mathilda Fund has inched closer to its annual goal. As most of you know, my college pal, Patti Bleicher, the owner of Gallery Loupe in Montclair, NJ has been a strong partner in my efforts to launch the Mathilda Fund at the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. We have had great success for the last two years with the limited edition Mathilda Pin/Pendants 2011 and 2012. But alas, we fell a little short of meeting our $20,000 goal for 2012 until last week…

The story began over a year ago when a special woman purchased a very expensive piece of jewelry by the well-known artist, Klaus Bürgel. Patti, always pleased with a big sale, was astonished when the woman handed the piece back and instructed her to resell it and donate the proceeds to a charity of her choice.

It took months for the piece to capture the attention of a new jewelry enthusiast but, last week, before Thanksgiving, it sold! Patti reached out to Klaus to ask if he had any thoughts on a worthy charity. As a New Yorker, he requested that half be put into a Hurricane Sandy relief fund and the other half into whatever charity she wished. Of course, she chose Mathilda! Thanks to this unexpected miracle, and your generosity throughout this past year, we now have met our $20,000 annual goal!

Please enjoy our beautiful new logo. Many thanks to Deb Dixler for generously sharing her talent with this vital cause.

Half of the royalties of "Almost a Princess" will be designated to the Mathilda Fund, an account within the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), a national organization whose mission is to fund scientific research in the area of ovarian cancer. The Mathilda Fund is named after Jane's paternal great grandmother, who is believed to have died of ovarian/breast cancer in her late 30's or 40's, in the early part of the 20th century. A fuller description of the genesis of the Mathilda Fund can be found in the epilogue of the book.

Direct contributions to the Mathilda Fund can be made:

1. By check - payable to the OCRF. Please note "Mathilda Fund" in the memo line. Checks should be sent to: 

     Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
     14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1710
     New York, NY 10122

2. By credit card. A secure online donation can be made at the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund's direct link:

http://ocrf.kintera.org/MathildaFund

Why Mathilda chose the OCRF - After a year of exploring various options, I felt that the OCRF was most closely aligned to the vision for the Mathilda Fund. The organization is led by a team of exciting, energized individuals and the scientific board consists of pre-eminent leaders in the field of gyn-oncology. In addition, the entire operation is run with minimal overhead (approximately 10%) with virtually all other monies directed into research. The quote below, from the OCRF website describes their mission. www.OCRF.org).

"Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) is the largest private philanthropy in the United States dedicated exclusively to funding ovarian cancer research. Our mission is to fund scientific research that leads to more effective identification, treatment, and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our investigators are developing innovative strategies for early detection; exploring the genetics that increase risk for ovarian cancer; understanding the underlying molecular biology of the disease; identifying new and better targets for treatment; and deciphering how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and how to stop it.   

Since 1998, OCRF has invested nearly $45 million in ovarian cancer research through grants to scientists at more than 60 leading medical centers in the United States.  

Cancer is a complex disease, and making scientific advancements requires an extensive and continuing investment in laboratory research. The majority of ovarian cancer research funding in the United States comes from government sources—the National Cancer Institute or the Department of Defense. Unfortunately, federal funding for ovarian cancer research has been stagnant for many years and the grant process can be lengthy.  

OCRF is different. OCRF is more nimble in its ability to fund the most novel approaches to combating this disease. OCRF is able to solicit, review, and fund worthy applications in a relatively short time frame, which not only leads to more rapid scientific progress, but facilitates the professional growth of the most promising new investigators in the field of ovarian cancer. Without sufficient grant support, researchers might otherwise turn their attention to other, better funded diseases. OCRF funding effectively enhances the breadth of the research enterprise in this nation directed specifically to ovarian cancer research. And all OCRF research grants are approved by our world-class Scientific Advisory Committee [this should be a link to the SAC list] comprised of leaders in the field, thus ensuring the integrity and caliber of the selections.

With your support, OCRF continues to take the lead in funding the best and most promising ovarian cancer research in our quest to defeat this terrible disease."