Our History
Our founder, nine-year survivor Patricia Franchi Flaherty, took a stand when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a second time in 2006. Thirty years prior, Patty lost her mother to the very same disease. She decided that if this disease took her life, she was not going to let it take her quietly. Patty had an idea brewing: she wanted to start an organization whose sole purpose would be to raise funds, awareness and support for the women who were fighting the battle. Armed with a handful of her best friends, she formed an organization to do just that. Patty and another close friend decided on a name, Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer. Recalling her mother's quote from childhood, "A butterfly is the spirit of a loved one who is no longer with us," the teal butterfly became the symbol of hope for Ovations.
Right off the starting line, Ovations decided that the best way to raise money was to host events. Their first event—the Stuart Weitzman Fashion Show—was a huge success. The show, which became an annual event for five consecutive years, raised over $250,000 in support of Ovations' mission each year. Not stopping there, Ovations has aligned itself with several other international brands such as McDonald’s, Carmen Marc Valvo, Michael DePaulo, Cold Stone Creamery, Kenzie Kids, Neiman Marcus, the New England Patriots Foundation, and Trader Joes. Ovations have hosted numerous community-based events, working with local families affected by ovarian cancer, from golf tournaments at several New England area golf courses, forming Team Ovations for the Boston Marathon® Jimmy Fund Walk, a concert with Girl Authority. Ovations partners with the Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Awareness (GNOCA) group to host events and raise awareness in the North shore as well as Baystate Hospital to host events and raise awareness in Western Massachusetts.
To date, Ovations has dedicated over $1.8 million to ovarian cancer research, awareness, and patient programs.
