The silence that follows when you’ve just been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer is deafening. This is what Kathleen Maxian had to face when she was diagnosed in 2009. This stage comes with all sorts of scans, statistics, and hospital rooms. But in all of this, there wasn’t a place that she could go where she could find not only the facts but also a hand to hold in a community that understands the fear that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

This sort of isolation can be a tough burden to carry, but it is also where she decided to create something truly remarkable. In 2012, she founded the Ovarian Cancer Project. This ultimately became a vital lifeline for thousands of individuals. Today, the OCP is a trusted space that is filled with evidence-based information and support for survivors and their families that simply feels genuine.

Your Test Doesn’t Catch Everything

Did you know that every given minute, someone’s life is permanently changed by them receiving a cancer diagnosis? I know, the statistics are startling. Even though this seems to be a frequent occurrence, a study from 2018 shows that over two-thirds of women have never actually heard of ovarian cancer, which obviously means that they have no idea what signs to look out for.

There is a major gap in awareness when it comes to ovarian cancer, and this is where the Ovarian Cancer Project is taking charge. While many other health conditions have screening tests, there is currently no universal screen for most gynecologic cancers. You might be consistent with your annual pap smear, but don’t be misled. The pap smear doesn’t screen for everything. The reality is that pap smears only really cover cervical cancer. For others, like ovarian and vaginal, and so many others, the only tool we have is education.

Spreading the Awareness

The OCP’s motto is quite simple, and yet, it can save lives. The motto is that “Education saves lives.” Since this organization was created, they have distributed over 100,000 “Know Your O’s” cards. These cards are small guides that break down symptoms that are often overlooked or dismissed and are often seen as digestive issues.

In 2024, the OCP decided to expand its mission to include all gynecological cancers. They knew that barriers to care and the need for education should encompass the full spectrum of these diseases. By 2025, the project launched a multi-channel campaign that used city bus advertisements and shelters to ensure the right facts reached the right people in their daily lives.

In 2026, they pushed for inclusivity. This is a brand that understands that health equity means giving everybody a chance to gain knowledge, which is why they translated their educational campaigns into:

1. Spanish
2. Arabic
3. Burmese

By doing this, they have broken the language barrier, which can ensure that everybody, no matter what language they speak, can learn to recognize their symptoms so they can seek help.

The Pillars of Hope and Care

At the Ovarian Cancer Project, you are not forgotten once your treatment ends. This is an organization that considers you a survivor from the second you are diagnosed and throughout the rest of your life.

This is crucial because the need for support doesn’t end once chemotherapy is over. You have to be committed to healing long-term because cancer can take an emotional, spiritual, and physical toll on you. The OCP offers several pillars of care at no cost.

1. The Women-to Women Mentoring Program

There is a profound amount of comfort that you can only get from someone who has gone through exactly what you have. The Women-to-Women Mentoring Program pairs patients with a trained volunteer who understands because they, too, are survivors.

• These mentors provide a safe space for reflection and understanding.
• They create a supportive space where you can discuss challenges that can feel too hard to discuss with family or friends.
• The program helps you navigate the anxiety that comes with your scans and the shifts you might have in your identity after you’ve been diagnosed.
• They build on the support that is created in the one-to-one setting.
• This guidance is driven by a shared sense of resilience and optimism.

2. Yoga and Meditation.

• Recognizes that healing the body needs a calm mind.
• They offer regular Zoom yoga and meditation classes led by Oncology-Certified instructors.
• The focus is on movement and breathwork tailored to people currently in treatment or recovery.
• This is a great way to target chronic stress that can be caused by your hard medical journey.

3. Professionally Facilitated Support Groups

• This is a space to connect with a community of people who understand what you’re going through: survivors and caregivers.
• They offer virtual and physical meetings, which means that this support is accessible for everyone.
• The groups combine the authenticity of shared experience with professional facilitation.
• The project ensures conversations are organic and focus on support and healing.

A Safe Space of Support

There is also an Annual Retreat. This is a three-day event created to help survivors return to a normal mindset.

This retreat is guided by professionals who can emphasize:

• Renewal and Healing: They help you find methods that work for you and help you cope with your new life.
• Joy and Hope: They give you a space to actually feel connected and to laugh again.
• Nature and Rest: This brand understands that rest is a requirement for healing.

This retreat allows survivors to connect with others who understand their experience. It allows you to be one with nature and find a moment to breathe. This brand helps you hold onto meaning and hope for the years that follow your diagnosis.

Every Resource is Free

The Ovarian Cancer Project is managed by a dedicated team. It is made up of an Executive Director, a clinical social worker, and a yoga instructor. They are supported by volunteers who create an ecosystem that overflows with generosity. They get donations, have corporate partnerships, and do fundraising events. This ensures that every resource is free.

The journey might be long, but with OCP, you no longer have to walk alone.