The New Edition of the Brand’s “Ovaries. Talk About Them.” Fundraising Capsule and Campaign Heralds Medical Breakthroughs
Camilla and Marc have launched the latest incarnation of their annual “Ovaries. Talk About Them.” campaign that raises awareness and support for life-saving ovarian cancer research. This year, the launch arrives in tandem with a crucial breakthrough from one of the program’s partners.
Researchers at University of New South Wales, whose work the initiative supports, have developed a global first: a unique 3-target signature using DNA biomarkers that can detect all types of early-stage ovarian cancer. This significant advancement marks a crucial step towards launching an early detection blood test for clinical trials by 2026.
Dr. Kristina Warton, head researcher at UNSW’s Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, “An early detection test has the scope to improve outcomes and save lives for people with ovarian cancer all over the world. Our goal is to make this test successful through a simple blood draw and a PCR reaction, without a need for specialized imaging equipment or invasive medical procedures. Early diagnosis, before the tumor has spread, is the most accessible and equitable path to health care for people at risk of ovarian cancer and will have life-changing impacts for people diagnosed with this disease.”
The “Ovaries. Talk About Them.” campaign has become one of the most impactful philanthropic efforts within the Australian fashion industry. The initiative is led by Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, who are driven by a personal and powerful mission. Camilla Freeman-Topper, Creative Director, shared, “The breakthroughs that have been made with the early detection test have been nothing short of extraordinary. We feel immense pride towards the team at UNSW for their tireless efforts, as well as everyone who has continually supported our ‘Ovaries. Talk About Them.’ campaign. Without this funding, we would not have reached this significant milestone. None of us would be here without ovaries, and this disease has been silenced for too long. Millions continue to be affected every year, yet there is still no test. It is not good enough. My mother deserved better. We all deserve better.”
Marc Freeman echoed these sentiments, adding, “The development of the world’s first 3-target signature to detect early stages of ovarian cancer is a ground-breaking achievement in Australian medical science. Today, this test stands as the only DNA-based method globally to have reached this advanced stage in ovarian cancer detection. This innovation offers optimism for improving the prognosis of this devastating disease via an early detection test.”
The next phase of the study will focus on patients with small or early-stage ovarian tumors to further trial the test’s effectiveness on relevant clinical samples. Robust testing will continue to enhance the test’s sensitivity, paving the way for an early detection blood test. CAMILLA AND MARC are committed to raising awareness, advocacy, and funding to support the continued research led by Professor Caroline Ford, Dr. Kristina Warton, and the UNSW Gynaecological Cancer Research Group, who are on track to reach clinical trials by 2026.
In line with this mission, Camilla and Marc will launch their 2024 “Ovaries. Talk About Them.” limited-edition capsule on August 26, 2024. The unisex and children’s capsule features typography artwork designed by the creative directors, with a simple yet impactful design inspired by childlike handwriting. This bold red and white collection, including t-shirts, hoodies, and caps, serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of early detection for future generations.
As in previous years, 100% of the proceeds from the 2024 capsule sales will go directly towards accelerating this groundbreaking research, bringing the goal of an early detection blood test for ovarian cancer closer to reality.
The capsule is launched with a campaign starring Naomi Watts, Dree Hemingway, Georgia Fowler, Willa Devereaux, and more, who, in addition to modeling the collection, take on the role of dedicated advocates for this crucial cause.
