Raising Hope Through Flowers: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Every February, communities in Australia unite in recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time dedicated to education, advocacy, and support for those with ovarian cancer—a formidable disease that affects thousands of women each year.
In this blog, we aim to shed light on the significance of this month. And it’s not only for those who are personally affected by ovarian cancer, but for every one of us who can create an impact and make a difference through our own simple ways.
What Is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian Cancer Australia refers to ovarian cancer as a malignant tumour that develops in one or both ovaries. The ovaries are composed of three kinds of cells: epithelial, stromal, and germ cells, each of which can evolve into a different type of tumour.
The average age of women diagnosed with this disease is 64. And while it is mainly detected in women over the age of 50, there are also some cases of this cancer diagnosed in younger women. In Australia, about 1,815 women are diagnosed each year, making ovarian cancer the eighth most common type of cancer in the country.
Why Ovarian Cancer Awareness Matters
Every year, approximately 1,815 women in Australia are projected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with an estimated number of 1,016 women who die from the disease. In Australia, the general five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer stands at 49%. In comparison, the overall five-year survival rate for women with breast cancer is 92%.
With this, the importance of ovarian cancer awareness cannot be overstated and is thus continuously called for. By spreading awareness, advocating for regular health check-ups, and supporting research efforts for an effective test and treatment for the disease, we can make strides towards improving the survival rates and quality of life for those affected by it.
Teal: The Colour of Awareness and Hope
Throughout the year, a bright teal-coloured ribbon has been used to spark meaningful conversations about ovarian cancer and promote the significance of research, education, and early detection of the disease. Ovarian Cancer Australia calls on the community to turn February teal and help raise awareness of the disease by raising funds to support people affected by ovarian cancer. By simply wearing a teal ribbon every day, we can show solidarity and help drive efforts to assist those battling the disease.
You Can Help Save Lives
In Australia, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is held every February, with Ovarian Cancer Australia Giving Day happening each year on the last Wednesday of February. During this month, Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA) runs several events to support the cause. Some programs and initiatives you can participate in to further contribute to raising awareness are as follows:
Host a Teal Tea
Bring people together in a fun event where you can raise money to support those affected by ovarian cancer. It can be a simple morning tea with colleagues, a Sunday picnic with friends, or a healthy brunch with family and community members. Hosting a Teal Tea isn’t only fun, but it’s also a great way to initiate important conversations about ovarian cancer. Get creative and make it both enjoyable and impactful.
Educate and Advocate
Only 31% of Australians know about ovarian cancer having the poorest survival rate of any cancer among women. This lack of awareness highlights a significant challenge in advocating against the disease. It’s crucial to spread vital information that everyone should know about, from the symptoms to look out for to the importance of early detection and available resources and support networks. Gather reliable, evidence-based information from trusted sources such as Ovarian Cancer Australia and Cancer Council and share them with your community, social media network, friends, and family. Who knows how many lives that one shared post on your social media could save?
Amplify the Voices of Affected Individuals
Over the years, more and more people have been speaking up about ovarian cancer. Let’s continue to amplify these voices and increase awareness about their stories and challenges. This could be through social media campaigns, in-person events, and other collaborative efforts. Let people know ovarian cancer exists, and the people affected by it are not merely a number or a statistic—they are actual people with stories to tell and journeys to share.
Participate in Giving Day
Ovarian Cancer Australia annually holds Giving Day. It is a fundraising event where every dollar raised is dedicated to providing women living with the disease the support they and their families need today as well as creating better outcomes for people affected by ovarian cancer tomorrow.
Purchase From Businesses That Support the Cause
Supporting businesses that actively contribute to ovarian cancer awareness and research is a meaningful way to make a difference. Look for local businesses with partnerships with relevant organisations or charities and actively engage in cause-related activities. Interflora™ Australia is a local flower- and gift-relay company that offers specially curated flower arrangements that donate a portion of the proceeds towards Ovarian Cancer Australia. Your purchasing choices can serve as a powerful tool for change, encouraging businesses to prioritise social responsibility and contribute to meaningful causes.
Making a Difference, One Flower at a Time
In partnership with Ovarian Cancer Australia, Interflora™ Australia presents our special collection that aims to help raise awareness for ovarian cancer. Each sale from our Ovarian Cancer Collection contributes 5% towards raising funds to Save Lives and Support Women. Through this effort, we have raised and donated over $45,000 as of 2024. And we will continue to make strides toward a brighter, cancer-free future through the language of flowers.
Join us in making a difference and help convey messages of support, strength, and hope by purchasing any of these arrangements.
Inspired by the bold, inspiring women who face ovarian cancer with unwavering strength and grace. Every flower in this bouquet perfectly captures the very characteristics that define them—from carnations known for their endurance and longevity to roses that symbolise admiration as well as white chrysanthemums that demonstrate untainted courage.
Our Brave and Blooming arrangement encapsulates bravery through every petal. Filled with white roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations tied with a teal ribbon, this gift makes not only the perfect gift, but also a stunning decoration your recipient can admire for a long time in their home.
White roses, snapdragons, and carnations stand tall in this flower arrangement nestled in a glass fishbowl and adorned with a teal ribbon, creating an elegant and uplifting display. Each bloom, thoughtfully selected and arranged for its quality and symbolism, tells a story of strength, hope, and resilience.
Simple yet profound, subtle yet exquisite—these flowers represent a voice in support of awareness and care for those fighting against ovarian cancer. The green and white hues of sim carnations and spray roses harmoniously blend together to create a gentle and heartfelt expression of support.
True to its name, Resilient Blooms embodies the spirit of strength, perseverance, and hope in the face of adversity. Surprise your loved one with this stunning bouquet filled with creamy white hues of disbud mums, snapdragons, and white roses gracefully adorned with delicate grey-toned foliage.
This Monstera Adansonii Plant is a low-maintenance indoor plant that embodies the enduring spirit and strength of those who navigate ovarian cancer. It is a symbolic representation of resilience and growth, making it a meaningful and lasting gift for individuals who have faced the challenges of ovarian cancer.
Your choice from our Ovarian Cancer Collection is more than just a floral gesture—it’s a contribution and a sign of support to the women battling against the disease. Together, we can make a positive impact, one flower at a time.
Be a Voice for Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Navigating ovarian cancer involves facing physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. More importantly, it demands resilience, determination, and unwavering support from both patients and their communities. By spreading hope, advocating for awareness, and supporting cancer research, we can make significant strides in the early detection, treatment, and prevention of this formidable disease.
Interflora™ Australia is proud to stand alongside women facing ovarian cancer, offering support and commitment through the language of flowers. Making people smile with beautifully arranged blooms is what we do best—and we believe that in moments of adversity, bouquets and flower arrangements can bring solace, comfort, and hope. In support of OCA and through our Ovarian Cancer Collection, we strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by this challenging disease.
Our team at Interflora™ Australia delivers the finest blooms to around 145 countries. Every arrangement is made from fresh, locally sourced flowers from our partner growers, so you can rest assured that you’re not only receiving top-quality bouquets but also supporting local communities.
Let’s accompany women with ovarian cancer in their journey and stand alongside them with compassion and determination. Support Interflora™ Australia’s cause and share the joy of giving flowers while raising funds for ovarian cancer awareness and support. Your gesture of compassion and support serves as a beacon of hope—a reminder that they are not alone in their experience.