The Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers
celebrating 12 years and over $3.5M in funding
Julie Paige McAvinn: Julie was a 40 year-old wife and mother of three young children when she was diagnosed with Stage Four ovarian cancer; she died four months after diagnosis. Julie and her husband Peter designed a mission to eliminate all women’s cancers and to support families fighting cancer. The Julie Fund was established in 2004 at Julie’s request and is dedicated to eliminating female cancers.
Goal: To Impact Key Areas Related to Women’s Cancer
- Research and Funding Female Cancer Research
- Non-medical Patient and Family Financial Support (temporary housing, transportation, food, day care, etc.)
- Education
Partnerships: Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners Healthcare
The Julie Fund works in partnership with Dr. Michael Birrer, Dir. of Gynecologic Oncology for MGH. The support from The Julie Fund has helped to address all of the most significant aspects of ovarian cancer including early detection/prevention, novel approaches to the treatment of advance stage tumors, new therapies for recurrent disease, personalized therapy for cancer patients, and supporting multiple research projects.
Research: Early on, The Julie Fund’s Advisory Board determined the largest impact they could make was in ovarian cancer. Today, The Fund is invested in myriad research projects at MGH.
- Research to identify blood markers, which can detect early stage ovarian cancer
- Development of gene tests that can determine which women in early stage will have a recurrence of cancer after initial treatment. This test is similar to the test used for detection of early stage breast cancer (oncotype Dx).
- Research to determine the molecular basis for platinum resistant ovarian cancer, the most deadly form of ovarian cancer. This project uses cutting-edge technology to determine the most precise therapy for a cancerous tumor.
Our Impact: The Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers is the Single Largest Source of Philanthropic Research Funding for Massachusetts General Hospital’s Gynecologic Cancer Research Program. The Fund has raised more than $3 million and has impacted thousands of lives through its research funding, support of educational programs, and by providing non-medical expenses for the families of women battling cancer.
Cancer treatment often causes unanticipated financial hardship. The patient support provided by The Julie Fund helps subsidize non-medical expenses including transportation, food, insurance, day care and mortgage/rent.
The Julie Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
The Julie Fund, Inc.
PO Box 620-657
Newton, MA 02462