Five years ago, Australian fashion house CAMILLA AND MARC set out on a mission that was as personal as it was ambitious: to fund research that could deliver the world’s first early detection test for ovarian cancer.
Through their campaign Ovaries. Talk About Them. they have since raised more than $2.5 million, with every dollar supporting a world-first research initiative led by Professor Caroline Ford and her all-female team at UNSW Sydney.
What began as a deeply personal mission, having lost their mother to the disease as chidren, is now on the cusp of becoming a global medical breakthrough. By 2026, the team aims to have their blood test – a simple, non-invasive tool for identifying ovarian cancer in its earliest stages – ready for clinical trials.
Why It Matters
Ovarian cancer is among the most lethal and least understood cancers. Often called the “silent killer,” it is notoriously difficult to detect early. By the time most people are diagnosed, the disease has already spread, leaving few treatment options and drastically reduced survival outcomes.
The numbers are sobering: diagnoses are expected to rise by more than 55% by 2050, with deaths projected to increase by 70% to nearly 445,000 each year, according to the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
“We’re on the verge of a scientific breakthrough that could fundamentally change outcomes for people with ovarian cancer around the world. Early detection is the missing piece – and we’re closer than ever to delivering it,” says Professor Caroline Ford.
Women Supporting Women
Beyond the science, the initiative has become a powerful story of women supporting women. Funding has directly supported salaries and career growth for the all-female research team, helping to address structural barriers for women in science while advancing life-saving work.
Dr Kristina Warton notes, “We’ve had such an awareness of the way female physiology works as we were going through the various stages of developing this test. We’ve checked the impact of periods, of endometriosis, of menopause… It’s been quite startling along the way how little research there is overall in these areas.”
For CAMILLA AND MARC, the mission remains urgent. “Now, we need everyone to show up like never before, for our mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends,” says Creative Director Camilla Freeman-Topper. “If we get this across the line, we could change the future of women’s health globally.”
Marc Freeman, CEO, adds: “This campaign started as a personal mission – to fund a test that didn’t exist. Through the incredible commitment of our community, this dream is now within reach.”
How You Can Help
This year’s Ovaries. Talk About Them. collection strips away distraction, with bold, pared-back typography designed to keep the message front and centre. With slogans like ‘How much are your ovaries worth?’ and ‘It All Begins with Ovaries’, the campaign is inviting Australians – and supporters worldwide – to take part in the movement.
Buy a t-shirt, donate, share the message. With clinical trials now within sight, one step remains to transform the future of women’s health. It all begins with ovaries.
CAMILLA AND MARC Ovaries. Talk About Them. products are now available in-store and online.
