Our History
MOCA was started in 1999 by a small group of ovarian cancer survivors to fund ovarian cancer research in Minnesota, raise awareness of the disease, and provide support to women with ovarian cancer and their families.
More recent information about MOCA milestones and events is available in our News Center.
2011
MOCA awarded more than $300,000 in grants to researchers investigating various aspects of ovarian cancer at Minnesota institutions, including the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. Since 2001 MOCA has awarded more than $2.9 million in research grants to professional researchers.
MOCA’s new Survivorship Series touch on topics selected from feedback provided by MOCA members who shared what information they would like to hear!
The MOCA Float kicked-off the float season by encouraging several hundred runners as they headed to the start of the Spring Fling run in Rochester, MN on May 1st.
A Mid-Summer Night’s Gala and Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament experienced their highest turnouts yet!
On Sunday August 14th Colleen Evans MD, second year fellow in GYN-ONC at the University of Minnesota – TC, ran the YWCA Triathlon around Lake Nokomis sporting a MOCA jersey.
2010
In 2010, sponsorships and contributions enabled us to fund $250,000 in research aimed at discovering an early detection test, better treatment and a cure for ovarian cancer. In its first 10 years, MOCA has awarded more than $2.6 million in research grants.
Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament and Mid-Summer Night’s Gala-Last year, more than 500 people participated in the Golf Tournament & Gala and we raised more than $100,000 to support women with ovarian cancer.
The 11th Annual Silent No More Walk/Run raised more than $200,000 to support research and MOCA programs. Over 3,100 people registered for the event.
MOCA became Minnesota’s Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) representative.
Natalie Harter and Brianna Gallet were the recipients of the Anita Lubov Scholarship (a scholarship funding support travel, conference fees, lodging and per diem) which allowed them to attend the Symposium of the Society of Gynecologic Nurse Oncologists in March.
In April, MOCA announced a new chapter in its educational awareness program called “Preventing Hereditary Cancer: Understanding and Reducing Risks” which provides information about understanding, preventing and reducing the risks of hereditary ovarian and breast cancers to communities that are at high risk for inheriting these cancers.
In April, MOCA’s Executive Director, Kathleen Gavin, attended the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) in Washington, DC as one of the 38 advocates to represent different cancer types and groups in AACR’s Scientist-Survivor Program.
Ross Williams, son of ovarian cancer survivor and MOCA member, Carmen Williams, and his father Dave designed a Tri athlete sport tank with “Racing for a Cure,” the MOCA logo and teal ribbons swimming, biking and running.
On June 11, MOCA was given a professionally designed float to use in parades across the state of Minnesota. Mike Patterson at King Solutions graciously allows MOCA to store the float in Dayton, MN.
MOCA was given a professionally designed float to use in parades across the state. The resources required to build, maintain and store the float were donated by generous supporters specifically for that purpose
The MOCA Dream Awards, a program specific to supporting the dreams of women with ovarian cancer, were awarded $25,000 to 10 ovarian cancer survivors to fulfill their dreams by an anonymous donor.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the Oral Chemotherapy Parity Act into law which will now allow cancer patients in Minnesota to have greater access to lifesaving oral chemotherapy medicines at no higher costs.
MOCA was chosen as the Northern Lights League’s charity of choice for their annual Poinsettia Sale again for the second year in a row.
MOCA was welcomed into the Rock the Cure family of local charities.
It Whispers, So Overcome’s Fourth Annual Benefit Concert for Ovarian Cancer Research was bigger and better than ever before.
The 2nd Annual Glenwood MOCA Open was a big success thanks to all the golfers and ovarian cancer supporters that showed up to participate in this great event.
2009
MOCA awards more than $286,000 for ovarian cancer research at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. In its first 10 years, MOCA has awarded more than $2.3 million in research grants.
MOCA celebrates its 10th anniversary at the Ninth Annual Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament & Gala. KARE 11’s Belinda Jensen emceed the event, and 195 golfers and 370 gala attendees came together to raise $109,000 for ovarian cancer research and programs. Since 2001, the event has raised over $600,000 to support MOCA’s mission.
August 15— The first annual Glenwood MOCA Open golf tournament is held at Minnewaska Golf Course in Glenwood, Minnesota. More than $8,000 is raised at the event, which is hosted by the family of Marie Ogdahl, who passed away in the spring of 2009 after an eight-year battle with ovarian cancer.
2008
MOCA awards $375,000 for ovarian cancer research at Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, raising the grand total to $2 million.
September — MOCA launches OvaryAct!, a public awareness campaign that coincides with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. The campaign highlights ovarian cancer symptoms and is geared for the general public, with billboards in the Twin Cities metro area and bathroom stall advertisements at a number of large venues.
September 13— In conjunction with the Ninth Annual Silent No More Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty declares Sept. 13 “Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar attends the Walk/Run, along with KARE-11 anchorwoman Julie Nelson (the emcee) and more than 2,900 participants. The event raises over $230,000 to support MOCA’s mission.
2007
MOCA awards six research grants for more than $365,000 to researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, including $25,000 for the first Molly Cade Memorial Research Grant.
The Calling All Angels Gala is expanded into a series of Calling All Angels parties throughout Minnesota, with the aim of celebrating with friends and neighbors while spreading awareness of ovarian cancer. More than a dozen parties are held for a total of 500 attendees, and $14,000 is raised.
The Shelly Ross Memorial Meeting Room and Library is dedicated at MOCA’s headquarters in Minneapolis.
The first annual meeting of the MOCA Medical Advisory Committee takes place at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville, in conjunction the Seventh Annual Molly Cade Memorial Tournament & Gala, which attracts 400 participants and raises more than $100,000 to support MOCA’s mission.
2006
MOCA awards more than $316,000 for ovarian cancer research at Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota. MOCA hires Kathy McGovern as medical education program manager to expand the Grand Rounds program and oversee the Survivors Training Medical Students program and other aspects of medical education outreach. During the course of the year, Grand Rounds presentations are made to 535 health care professionals.
MOCA launches a Southeastern Minnesota chapter in an effort to better serve members. The first fundraising event is a 12-hour solo marathon swim by Chaplain Mary Johnson of the Mayo Clinic, who raised $10,000 for her effort.
September 11 — MOCA Co-President Merle Rosenberg passes away.
MOCA announces the first two recipients of the Anita Lubov Memorial Oncology Scholarship Fund.
November 30 — MOCA purchases its current home, a small office building in south Minneapolis, with generous financial support from the Shelly Ross Memorial Fund.
2005
MOCA awards nearly $299,000 for ovarian cancer research at Mayo and University of Minnesota, bringing the five-year total to more than $1 million.
May — Lisa McLaughlin and Merle Rosenberg are named co-presidents of MOCA’s board of directors.
July— The annual golf event is renamed the Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament & Gala in honor of Molly Cade. The fifth annual tournament is moved from Stillwater to Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville and raises $100,000 for ovarian cancer.
Teal “OVERCOME” wristbands are introduced; by year’s end, MOCA sells more than 15,000 of the wristbands to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
2004
MOCA awards $275,000 for ovarian cancer research at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic.
The first Calling All Angels gala is held at the Calhoun Beach Club and raises $25,000 for MOCA.
MOCA adds two staff members, bringing the total paid staff to three, and moves into its third home, in St. Louis Park.
2003
MOCA awards more than $218,000 to fund ovarian cancer research at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic.
MOCA launches the Survivors Training Medical Students program at the University of Minnesota for third- and fourth-year medical students during their OB/GYN rotation.
The Northern Lights League chooses MOCA as the beneficiary of their holiday poinsettia sale and donates $15,000 to the organization.
December 3— MOCA’s co-founder and first president, Molly Cade, passes away, just a few months after being named to the “Twin Cities Volunteer Hall of Fame” by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine for her vision and inspiration for leading MOCA.
2002
MOCA awards more than $130,000 for four ovarian cancer research grant proposals, two from the University of Minnesota and two from Mayo Clinic.
MOCA outgrows its first home (Molly Cade’s house) and moves into the law offices of Eastlund, Solstad, Cade & Hutchinson, Ltd., where Molly’s husband, Joe Cade, is a partner.
The Young Survivor Network is launched by two MOCA members, Sarah Mahanna and Jill Rosenberg, who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer while still in their 20s.
February — MOCA hires its first paid staff person, Kathleen Gavin, as program director. In October, Kathleen is promoted to executive director.
March 4 — MOCA’s vice president and co-founder, Kris Warn, passes away.
More than 20 MOCA members participate in Grand Rounds, pairing up with gynecologic oncologists or nurse practitioners to provide ovarian cancer training to 50 doctors at hospitals across the state.
September 29 — The First Annual “A Toast to Life” event is held in honor of MOCA board member Merle Rosenberg and her daughter Jill, both ovarian cancer survivors. The event, hosted by family members and friends, raises $50,000 for MOCA’s ovarian cancer research program.
2001
MOCA awards its first two grants for ovarian cancer research at the University of Minnesota, using $91,000 from the first Walk/Run.
May 15— MOCA holds its first annual meeting at Richfield Lutheran Church.
The First Annual Golf Shoot-Out Benefit is held in honor of Susan Kushner, a founding board member, thanks to her and her husband Barry’s friendship with Michael Patterson of King Companies. More than $20,000 is raised at this event, which is held at Oak Glen Country Club in Stillwater.
MOCA receives a $13,000 grant from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) and GlaxoSmithKline’s Global Community Partnerships program to initiate a “Grand Rounds” project to help educate primary care physicians about ovarian cancer.
2000
MOCA forms a medical advisory board consisting of numerous gynecologic oncologists in the state.
MOCA becomes a working partner with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA), and MOCA members attend the third annual OCNA conference in Washington, D.C.
MOCA develops a partnership with the Women’s Cancer Resource Center and is recognized by the American Cancer Society.
MOCA members meet with Minnesota’s congressional delegation to lobby for patient bill of rights, additional funds for Department of Defense research, and hearings regarding genetic discrimination.
MOCA launches its website (www.mnovarian.org).
September 16— The First Annual Silent No More Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer takes place at Rosland Park in Edina (where it continues to be held each year). The inaugural event raises $108,000 for research and programs associated with MOCA.
1999
A small group of ovarian cancer survivors, including Molly Cade, Kris Warn, Susan Kushner, Betty Noble, Joan Weinstein and Pat Rietz, gather for dinner and talk about the lack of awareness regarding ovarian cancer and the need for support.
Soon after, MOCA is launched, with Molly Cade serving as the first president and Kris Warn the first vice president. Other members of the first board include Barb Bayerle, Susan Kushner, Sue Lorentz, Sue McIntyre, Bette Noble, and Joan Weinstein.
November 16— MOCA holds its first official meeting at Richfield Lutheran Church in the Minneapolis suburb of Richfield. Thirty women attend the meeting.