A small group of ovarian cancer survivors, including Molly Cade, Kris Warn, Susan Kushner, Betty Noble, Joan Weinstein and Pat Rietz, gather for dinner and talk about the lack of awareness regarding ovarian cancer and the need for support.

The discussion that evening gave birth to Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA).

A Board of Directors is formed with nine women, seven of whom are ovarian cancer survivors. The board harnesses its passion and works to build an organization that will bring change – more money for ovarian cancer research, more awareness of the disease, and more support for survivors.

Molly Cade is named President and Kris Warn, Vice President. These two vibrant, charismatic women give generously of their time and spirit to grow MOCA.

November 16 – MOCA hosts its first official meeting at Richfield Lutheran Church and 30 women attend.

MOCA forms a Medical Advisory Board consisting of all the gynecologic oncologists in the state.

MOCA becomes a working partner with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA).

MOCA develops a partnership with the Women’s Cancer Resource Center.

MOCA is recognized by the American Cancer Society.

MOCA members attend the Third Annual Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Conference (OCNA) in Washington D.C.

MOCA members meet with Minnesota’s congressional delegation to lobby for patient bill of rights, additional funds for Department of Defense Research and hearings regarding genetic discrimination.

MOCA launches its web site: www.mnovarian.org.

September 16 -- The First Annual Silent No More Walk Run for Ovarian Cancer is held at Rosland Park in Edina.

As a result of money raised from the first Walk/Run, MOCA awards $91,000 for two ovarian cancer research proposals from the University of Minnesota.

MOCA and the Women’s Cancer Resource Center establish an ovarian cancer support group.

May 15 – MOCA holds it first annual meeting at Richfield Lutheran Church.

September 15 – The Second Annual Silent No More Walk Run for Ovarian Cancer is held at Rosland Park in Edina. $122,000 is raised.

September 21 – The first Golf Shoot-Out Benefit is started in honor of Susan Kushner, a founding board member, thanks to her and her husband Barry’s friendship with Michael Patterson of King Companies. The event is held at Oak Glen Country Club in Stillwater.

MOCA receives a $13,000 one-year grant from the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA) and GlaxoSmithKline Global Community Partnerships for “Grand Rounds” project to help educate primary care physicians about ovarian cancer.

The Shelly Ross Memorial Fund is established by Shelly’s three daughters, Stephanie, Jennifer and Pam, in honor of their mother who passed away in 2000.

MOCA moves out of Molly Cade’s house and into the Offices of Eastlund, Solstad, Cade & Hutchinson, LTD.

Young Survivor Network is launched by two MOCA members, Sarah Mahanna and Jill Rosenberg, who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer before age 30. The focus of this group is to address the unique needs of young women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, including long term hormone replacement therapy, confronting a “lifetime of fear,” building families, sexuality and body image.

February -- MOCA hires first paid staff person, Program Director Kathleen Gavin. In October, Kathleen is named Executive Director.

March 4 -- MOCA Vice-President and Co-Founder Kris Warn passes away.

MOCA awards $130,000 for four ovarian cancer research grant proposals – two from the University of Minnesota and two from Mayo Clinic.

More than 20 MOCA members participate in Grand Rounds training designed to address barriers to early diagnosis of ovarian cancer and lack of appropriate diagnostic testing and referral. Over the course of the year, MOCA conducts this education training program, with a gynecologic oncologist or nurse practitioner and an ovarian cancer survivor, for 50 doctors at hospitals in the Twin Cities and across the state.

August 29 – Second annual Shoot-Out Benefit Golf Tournament is held and raises $29,200.

MOCA members create an ovarian cancer awareness quilt.

September 14 --Third Annual Silent No More Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer is held and raises $129,000.

September 29 -- First annual “A Toast to Life” is held in honor of MOCA board member Merle Rosenberg and her daughter Jill, both ovarian cancer survivors. The event, hosted by family members and friends, raises $50,000 for MOCA’s ovarian cancer research program.

MOCA awards $220,000 for four ovarian cancer research grant proposals – two from the University of Minnesota and two from Mayo Clinic.

MOCA initiates “Survivors Training Medical Students” program at the University of Minnesota for third and fourth year medical students during their OB/GYN rotation. The program features ovarian cancer survivors telling their stories about diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

May 16-17 MOCA hosts “Thriving in Many Voices,” a unique conference to explore positive strategies for living with cancer. More than 50 ovarian cancer survivors, family members and friends attend.

August 28 – Third Annual Shoot-Out Benefit Golf Tournament is held and raises $50,000.

September 13 – 4 th Annual Silent No More Walk/Run for Ovarian Cancer is held at Rosland Park in Edina. Approximately $135,000 is received from corporate sponsorships, donations, pledges and registrations.

September 25 – Molly Cade is inducted into the Mpls St. Paul magazine “Twin Cities Volunteer Hall of Fame.” She is honored for her vision and inspiration for leading MOCA.

October 12 –2 nd Annual “A Toast to Life” is held at the Minneapolis Café. The event raises $70,000.

November -- The Northern Lights League chooses MOCA to be the beneficiary of their holiday poinsettia sale and donates $15,000 to the organization.

December 3 -- MOCA President and Co-Founder Molly Cade passes away.

Survivor Laura Solarz is named President of the MOCA Board of Directors.

MOCA awards $275,000 for four ovarian cancer research grant proposals – two from the University of Minnesota and two from Mayo Clinic.

February 7 – Molly Cade is honored posthumously with a Star Award by the Minnesota Oncology and Hematology Foundation.

April 23 – Calling All Angels Gala is held at the Calhoun Beach Club and raises $25,000 for MOCA. The event, hosted by the Franczyk/McLaughlin family in memory of Jane Franczyk and Kimberly Kincaid, features a silent and live auction of artwork donated from the private collections of Wally and Jane Franczyk and Shelly Ross.

Summer 2004 – MOCA expands paid staff to include Operations Manager Lynne Nystuen and Program & Events Manager Jean Heyer

August 12 – Human Resource Professionals of Minnesota hold their annual golf outing at Braemar Golf Course in Edina and donate $2,000 to MOCA.

August 15 – MOCA moves into its new home at 3751 Alabama Avenue South in St. Louis Park.

August 20 – MOCA’s 4 th Annual Golf Shoot-Out is held at Oak Glen Country Club in Stillwater and raises $35,000.

September 15 – UnitedHealth Group Corporate Systems 7 th Annual Golf Tournament benefits MOCA to the tune of $73,000!

September 18 – 5 th Annual Silent No More Walk Run for Ovarian Cancer held at Rosland Park in Edina. Approximately 2,000 people participate and $140,000 is raised.

October 9 – Third Annual “A Toast to Life” is held at Architectural Antiques with emcee Belinda Jensen from Kare 11. The event raises $50,000 for MOCA’s ovarian cancer research program.

MOCA awards $300,000 for four ovarian cancer research grant proposals – three from Mayo and one from the University of Minnesota – bringing the five year total to more than $1 million!

Teal “OVERCOME” wristbands sell like hotcakes. During the course of the year, more than 15,000 are sold by MOCA to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

Saint Paul Jaycees incoming president Laura Chesney designates MOCA as its charity for the year and donates $1,026 from their gala silent auction.

February 11 -- 2 nd Annual Calling All Angels is held at the Calhoun Beach Club. This black and white gala, with a splash of red for Valentine’s Day, raises close to $25,000 for MOCA.

May -- Lisa McLaughlin and Merle Rosenberg are named Co-Presidents of MOCA’s Board of Directors. Lisa has been actively involved with MOCA for the past several years. She first heard about the organization when her stepmother Jane Franczyk was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Merle Rosenberg, a five-year survivor, joined the MOCA board in 2002.

June -- Lisa McLaughlin is recognized as a Heart of the Event Award recipient by Minnesota Monthly.

July 17 & 18 – Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament & Gala is held at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville. The event is tremendously successful, raising $100,000.

September 17 – 6 th Annual Silent No More Walk Run for Ovarian Cancer is held. $200,000 is received from sponsorships, pledges, donations and registrations.

September 24 – 4 th Annual A Toast to Life is held at Bachman’s Flagship Store in Minneapolis and raises $50,000 for MOCA’s ovarian cancer research program, bringing the four-year total to $235,000.

MOCA launches re-designed web site, thanks to a generous donation from Aware Web Solutions. MOCA board member Janice Born secured the donation. Content for the site was developed by ovarian cancer survivors Laura Devereaux, Sarah Noonan and Jill Rosenberg and MOCA staff members Jean Heyer and Lynne Nystuen.

February -- MOCA hires Kathy McGovern as Medical Education Program Manager to re-launch the Grand Rounds program and oversee the Survivors Training Medical Students program and other aspects of educational outreach. During the course of the year, Grand Rounds presentations are made to 535 health care professionals.

Constance White replaces staff member Lynne Nystuen as Office Manager.

March 4 -- 3rd Annual Calling All Angels: Monte Carlo Casino Night Celebrating All Women with Ovarian Cancer is held at the Calhoun Beach Club.

April 21 -- MOCA notifies researchers who have been selected to receive grants totaling $315,605 – three grants are awarded to the Mayo Clinic and one grant to the University of Minnesota. In the past six years, MOCA has awarded more than $1.3 million for ovarian cancer research in Minnesota.

May -- MOCA starts a Southeastern Minnesota chapter in an effort to better serve members. The first fundraising event, held on May 19, is a 12-hour solo marathon swim by Chaplain Mary Johnson of the Mayo Clinic. $10,000 is raised.

July 23 & 24 --The Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament & Gala is held for the second year in a row at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville. More than 400 people attend the gala dinner and the morning and afternoon golf tournaments. Approximately $85,000 is raised from the event.

August -- Ovarian cancer survivor Kristen Larson joins the staff.

MOCA introduces two new support groups: one in St. Paul and one in Monticello. A new group for Daughters Who Have Lost Their Mothers to Ovarian Cancer is also started.

September 6 -- MOCA is named KARE 11’s Agency of Distinction as part of the Eleven Who Care program.

September 11 -- MOCA Co-President Merle Rosenberg passes away.

September 16 -- 7th Annual Silent No More Walk Run for Ovarian Cancer is held at Rosland Park in Edina. 2,400 people participated and $250,000 is generated.

October 22 -- A Toast to Life Five is held at Five Restaurant & Street Lounge in Minneapolis in honor of Merle and Jill Rosenberg. More than $50,000 is raised for MOCA’s research program.

November 14 -- MOCA announces the first two recipients for the Anita Lubov Memorial Oncology Scholarship Fund: Karin Goodman and Kristie Heinen. Mrs. Lubov was an oncology nurse in Ohio, who died from ovarian cancer in 1999. The fund, established by her family, is available for currently practicing oncology nurses from Minnesota to attend national educational conferences.

November 30 -- MOCA purchases a small office building at 4604 Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis, thanks to the generous support of the Board of Directors and the financial support of the Shelly Ross Memorial Fund. The Women’s Cancer Resource Center, who previously owned the building, graciously donates much of their office equipment. Staff and volunteers donate their time, talent and resources to decorate, update and outfit MOCA’s new home.