Australian womenswear brand Black Pepper has pledged to raise $100,000 for Ovarian Cancer Australia this month.
The fashion retailer has signed on four ovarian cancer survivors to take part in a public awareness campaign. This will go live across Black Pepper’s 80 stores, including in store windows, during February, which coincides with Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
The campaign showcases the four women - Renata, Karen, Narelle, and Luisa - modelling Black Pepper clothing including two specially designed scarves, a blouse and top, with a portion of sales going to Ovarian Cancer Australia.
The scarves will retail for $29.99, top for $79.99 and the blouse for $99.99. Pens and ribbons will also be sold in-store during February, with the range also available to shop via its online store.
Funds raised will go to Ovarian Cancer Australia to assist the nurses who work closely with patients throughout diagnosis and treatment.
“Black Pepper is so proud to be able to put a spotlight on the much-needed support that OCA provides women who face the diagnosis of ovarian cancer,” Black Pepper GM Rachel Digby said. “Bringing the campaign to life with women and their stories is very special to our team and to our community of customers.
“It’s a privilege to enter our ninth year in partnership with OCA and do our bit to contribute to a very worthy cause.”
Renata said it was two years and multiple visits to a naturopath, her GP, and other specialists with symptoms before an autoimmune condition led to her diagnosis of Stage 3 C advanced ovarian cancer in February 2022.
Karen lost her mother to Ovarian Cancer 27 years ago and has since discovered that she and both of her daughters carry the BRCA1 gene - linked to higher diagnoses of ovarian cancer.
Luisa was diagnosed with Stage 3 C ovarian cancer, while 44-year-old Narelle was diagnosed without the usual symptoms.
"Being a lower-incidence cancer that often presents with vague symptoms, those presenting to their GPs are often not considering their symptoms may be attributed to ovarian cancer,” Ovarian Cancer Australia advocacy manager Bridget Bradhurst said.
"We hope that by raising awareness of the disease and elevating the voices of women impacted by ovarian cancer, we can change the landscape of this disease. For all those diagnosed in the future, we want to improve their experiences and outcomes by providing ongoing access to specialist support services.
“Additionally, we aim to continue our advocacy efforts to see increased research funding and greater access to effective and affordable treatments."