Australian retailer Witchery and the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) are thrilled to announce the 15th annual White Shirt Campaign in collaboration with esteemed fashion Entrepreneur, Co-Founder, and Creative Director of P.E Nation, Pip Edwards.
The Witchery White Shirt Campaign hinges on the importance of funding research to develop an early detection test and more effective treatments for ovarian cancer. Unlike breast and cervical cancers, there is currently no early detection test and treatments have only marginally improved in the last 30 years.
Witchery and OCRF have been in partnership for over 20 years with the White Shirt Campaign being the largest funder of ovarian cancer research in Australia, raising over $15 million since the campaign’s inception in 2008.
For 2023, Witchery has collaborated with one of the most influential figures in the Australian fashion industry, Pip Edwards to create the White Shirt style. Designing the shirt with her own personal style in mind, Pip has mastered the balance of creating a classic staple with a modern, take, designed to be worn oversized.
“I am honoured to join Witchery and the OCRF in the fight to end ovarian cancer. As a passionate supporter of Australian brands, I’ve admired the incredible efforts of Witchery’s White Shirt campaign for many years and I’m excited to bring my creative design to this year’s shirt. Having the opportunity to support the women and families affected by the disease and pay a personal tribute to the cause is so important to me. The statistics are frightening, I truly hope this White Shirt can finally help end ovarian cancer and brings reproductive health to the forefront.” – Edwards said
The White Shirt pays homage to Pip’s trademark style, simplistic in design with gold hardware and zipper detailing with a tomboy edge, made to elevate every wearer’s wardrobe.
Witchery Managing Director, Simon Schofield said:
“We are delighted to welcome Pip Edwards on board to collaborate on this significant campaign in support of the OCRF. Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer and yet it remains critically underfunded. Our aim is to support the OCRF in funding to find an early detection test that could save the lives of over one million women worldwide over the next 10 years.”
With early stages of ovarian cancer having no obvious symptoms, the majority of women diagnosed are already in the advanced stages of the disease. Of these women, only 29% will survive more than five years.
For every White Shirt sold, Witchery is proudly donating 100% of gross proceeds to the OCRF, so they can continue funding researchers in the lab.
The 2023 Witchery White Shirt will be available to shop online via witchery.com.au and in-store throughout Australia and New Zealand from Tuesday 11 April. Witchery White Shirt Day and World Ovarian Cancer Day on Monday 8 May will mark the conclusion
of campaign.
KEY STATISTICS SURROUNDING OVARIAN CANCER:
- Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer based on survival rates, not frequency
- The current average five-year survival rate is just 49%
- One woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer in Australia
- Five women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day
- In most cases ovarian cancer has no obvious symptoms, resulting in most women being diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease
- Over 50% of the community incorrectly believes that a pap test diagnoses ovarian cancer
- Invasive surgery is currently the only way of detecting and accurately diagnosing ovarian cancer
- 70% of women are diagnosed in the advanced stages – only 29% of these women will survive beyond five years
- A recurrence rate of 80% is one factor as to why ovarian cancer is so lethal
- Developing an early detection test will allow for early diagnosis and early treatment, ultimately saving lives
