There is nothing at all ordinary about Cheryl Brown. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1993 - and determined to become the statistic that sees most women survive only three years from the time of diagnosis – Cheryl has fought against the odds, and to improve the odds, for women everywhere.

Cheryl has worked tirelessly in her efforts to support and inform Canadians about ovarian cancer, and to promote research about the causes and treatments. Today, her efforts to make a difference were recognized, as the "Cheryl Brown Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Unit" was officially named in her honour.

Located at the Jack Bell Prostate Centre for Excellence, this Unit will be the cornerstone of a centre for excellence devoted to ovarian cancer research, including participation from BC Cancer Agency, University of British Columbia, and Vancouver Hospital.

"Cheryl's persistence has sparked awareness in the public and scientific community for the need to find a cure for ovarian cancer," says Dr. David Huntsman, genetic pathologist and researcher at BC Cancer Agency.

Over the last decade, Cheryl has faced at least eight recurrences of the disease, and over time, had chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to keep the disease at bay. And while she now faces the end of her struggle, she hasn't lost hope for others.

"Cheryl's determination to make available information on ovarian cancer to women all across Canada has been a guiding principle of Ovarian Cancer Canada, an organization she helped found," says Mark Leffler, OCC board chair. "Cheryl reminds us all that we have come a long way in waking up Canada to ovarian cancer, but that we still have a long way to go. It is a tribute to Cheryl and a source of great pride to OCC that the Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Unit at the BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver General Hospital is being named after her - a woman who has advocated so tirelessly to raise the profile of this disease."

The Unit is a joint research effort, established by Vancouver Hospital and the BC Cancer Agency. A plaque that will hang in the Unit was presented to Cheryl today during a celebration in her honour at St. James' Cottage Hospice. It reads:

"This place of discovery, investigation and scientific collaboration is dedicated to Cheryl Brown for her energetic and persistent pursuit for greater awareness, understanding, and a cure for ovarian cancer."

While accepting the honour, Cheryl insists that the celebration isn't about naming the unit, but recognizing the important work that will happen there.

"This isn't about me, it's about the research. That's really what matters."

Ovarian cancer is one of the most deadly cancers today. Most women diagnosed with this disease survive fewer than three years from the time of diagnosis; last year in Canada, 2,500 women were newly diagnosed with the disease, and 1,500 died. The Cheryl Brown Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Unit is devoted to determining how and why ovarian tumours behave the way they do.

Cancer researchers in British Columbia are in a unique and enviable position. For several decades, the BC Cancer Agency has kept records of patient treatment and outcomes, while the Vancouver Hospital has preserved samples of ovarian cancer tissues over the course of the treatment. These combined resources allow researchers to compare thousands of outcomes with tissue samples using micro-array technology. With this technology, researchers can compare how ovarian cancers respond to different treatments.

The unit will have two components: the first will be housed with the Gynecology Tumour Group and Department of Pathology of the BC Cancer Agency, and the second in the Genetic Pathology Evaluation Centre at the Prostate Research Centre, Vancouver General Hospital.

The Cheryl Brown Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Unit is one part of OvCaRe, a project brining together researchers from across Vancouver to develop a world-leading centre for clinical, basic and translational ovarian cancer research.

BC Cancer Agency 

The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.

University of British Columbia

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation