CLuB Co-Investigator Dr. Sharon O’Toole receives the Best Healthcare Campaign Award on behalf of the Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology

Dr. Sharon O’Toole, CLuB Investigator was delighted to receive the Best Healthcare Campaign Award on behalf of the Irish Network for Gynaecological Oncology at the recent PRAwards 2023. The network, coordinated by Dr O’Toole, is a voluntary body of over thirty groups across the Island of Ireland, and the aim is to raise awareness of the five gynaecological cancers. The campaign “Giving Gynaecological Oncology a Voice” focused on 2 global awareness days: World Ovarian Cancer Day on May 8th and World Gynaecological Oncology Day on Sept 20th.  

Ireland has one of the highest death rates in Europe from ovarian cancer. Over 75% of patients present with late-stage disease, partly due to the vagueness of symptoms and the similarity with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. The campaign surpassed all expectations with a reach of over 12 million across both awareness days. The wonderful patients who volunteered to share their story brought the human side to the campaign. The BEAT campaign highlighting ovarian cancer symptoms earned global recognition for its Inspiring Collaboration efforts. The Dip or Dance campaign for raising awareness of uterine cancer and how to reduce the risk got people swimming and dancing across the country. The network are delighted to have started a conversation around gynaecological cancers and hope to build on our efforts annually.