Ovarian Cancer Action's Ambassadors and Patrons
Our mission is to create a world where no woman dies of ovarian cancer, but we cannot do that alone. Our ambassadors help us to raise awareness and fund the research we know will improve the lives of women today and for generations to come.
Allyson Kaye MBE, President
Allyson lost her mother to ovarian cancer more than 30 years ago, founding Ovarian Cancer Action in 2005.
She developed the first UK ovarian cancer national awareness campaign, which was instrumental in the start-up of the charity, and the formal recognition of the symptoms of ovarian cancer in the UK.
She is an active member on several science and cancer related boards and a driving force for the HHMT International Forum on Ovarian Cancer, where scientists debate and prioritise new directions in research and ways to accelerate progress.
She is well-known to worldwide ovarian cancer researchers, an author of several papers, and was awarded an MBE for her work in 2014.
Beth Mead
England Lioness and Arsenal star, Beth Mead joined as an ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Action in January 2023.
Sadly, in January 2023, Beth's mum June passed away from ovarian cancer within two years of being diagnosed. Everything we've heard and learnt about Beth's mum have demonstrated what a fantastic, caring, inspirational and extremely well-loved figure she was.
Beth fronts our biggest annual campaign, Walk in Her Name, which challenges women across the UK (and the world) to walk 100km across the month of March, which is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Since coming on board in 2023, Beth has helped us raise over £400,000 and continues to raise awareness and support for Ovarian Cancer Action, in the name of her mum, June Mead.
Beth Mead has championed our charity since 2022.
Ruby Adler
Made in Chelsea star Ruby has an incredibly strong connection to our cause having lost her much loved Aunt, Vicky, to ovarian cancer. Vicky was the driving force behind our I Will Survive campaign in 2019 and was passionate about improving the outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. This was her way of making sure something positive came out of her diagnosis, channelling her energy into trying to make things better for the next generation. Ruby is determined to continue this important work.
“Over 7,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year. It’s the sixth most common cancer in women and the overall five-year survival rate for women with ovarian cancer is just 43%. It’s shocking.
I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for OCA and continue my Aunt's legacy in helping to raise vital awareness and work towards improving the survival odds for the next generation of women.”
Dr Brooke Vandermolen
Dr Brooke Vandermolen aka The OBGYN Mum is an NHS doctor currently working and training as a Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in London.
She has experience clinically, dealing with all aspects of women’s health and pregnancy, including assessing patients with a range of gynaecological concerns, and performing and assisting in surgical procedures.
Her passion is sharing evidence-based information to help women understand their bodies, their choices, and improve awareness so no subject is taboo any longer.
Brooke is proud to be an ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Action as it is a charity close to her heart, after a close family member suffered from ovarian cancer. She is passionate about improving awareness and early diagnosis.
Brooke Vandermolen has collaborated with Ovarian Cancer Action across different projects, to help bridge the gap between charity, GPs and our supporters.
Gwyneth Strong
Theatre and TV actor Gwyneth Strong is our dedicated Patron. Gwyneth sadly lost her mother to ovarian cancer more than 20 years ago so she’s seen, first hand, the devastating impact of the disease. She’s dedicated to raising awareness and doing all she can to drive funds to our research centre.
“Ovarian cancer kills more women than all the other gynaecological cancers together. It’s not right, then, that it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. More awareness will lead to better funding. And that means fewer lives lost. And that’s why I am so dedicated to my role as patron to the charity. I will do all I can to make more people aware and improve outcomes for women affected by the disease.”
Julia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury presented our BBC Lifeline Appeal in January 2021 and shares our passion in challenging the health inequalities women face. From Countryfile to Watchdog and Britain's Best Walks, Julia has presented many of our favourite TV shows, and we are so grateful for her support.
“Here in the UK, a woman dies of ovarian cancer every two hours. Yet most of us haven’t even heard of the disease, let alone its symptoms, which are often mistaken for less serious conditions such as IBS or even the menopause. Ovarian Cancer Action runs innovative public awareness campaigns as well as funding vital research into preventing the disease, diagnosing it as early as possible, and discovering kinder and more effective treatments. Improvements in each of these areas will transform the lives of women today and for generations to come.”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Singer, model and disco queen, Sophie Ellis-Bextor started supporting us in 2015 after her son’s school friend lost her mother to ovarian cancer.
“I find it so surprising that ovarian cancer doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It's a disease that strikes at the heart of what it is to be a woman, yet awareness is so poor. It’s time more was done to change that.”
Emilia Fox
TV and film actor Emilia Fox fronted one of our very first symptom awareness ad campaigns in 2009, when awareness of ovarian cancer was at an all time low. One of Emilia’s closest friends lost her sister to ovarian cancer and understands too well that we need greater awareness and further research to help more women survive the disease.
“There are still so many myths out there about ovarian cancer, not least that it’s an ‘old lady’s disease’. This is dangerous and I know all too well that it’s not true. All women need to be educated about ovarian cancer and all women should care enough to speak out about a disease that claims the life of another woman every two hours.”
Birdy
Singer, songwriter and musician Birdy created a new arrangement of Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ for our 2019 campaign of the same name.
“I feel so honoured to be a part of this film for Ovarian Cancer Action. My uncle, who worked on the project, forwarded the clip to me and the first thing I thought was how little I knew about the disease. Please learn the symptoms and if you can, help fund ovarian cancer research. We can make things better for the next generation.”
