The Melina and Joanne Fashion Show for the DOvEEgene Project
For a second year, the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal (LGWM) is organizing a fashion show, featuring Greek and Canadian designers, dedicated to the "DOvEEgene Project" for the early diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial cancers, led by Dr. Lucy Gilbert at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC).
The LGWM began its support of the initiative last year by holding its inaugural “Greek Fashion Show” fundraiser in April. Currently, an MUHC fundraising committee co-chaired by Micol Haimson, Matthew Marchand, and Joanne Photiades is in the midst of raising $2,000,000.00 to fund the clinical trial stage of this ground-breaking research.
This year, the LGWM, our local chapter of the historic feminist cultural organization that was established in Greece in 1911, will be presenting the “Melina and Joanne Fashion Show” on April 7th at 6.30 p.m. at the Palace Convention Centre.
Melina Tsagaropoulos, a brave 30-year old currently battling ovarian cancer, and Joanne Photiades-Vellopoulos, an ovarian cancer survivor, are both patients of Dr. Lucy Gilbert’s team at the MUHC.
With this endeavour, The LGWM is hoping to contribute $100,000 to abet Dr. Gilbert in her ongoing quest to complete the clinical research of her test that aims to detect ovarian and endometrial cancer early.
After 10 years of hard work, Dr. Gilbert has made a scientific breakthrough for the early diagnosis of ovarian and endometrial cancers. Cure rates for these cancers are over 80% when diagnosed early, but, sadly, some 75% are diagnosed at a late stage. Dr. Gilbert has developed a genomic intra-uterine test, the “DOvEEgene,” to detect these cancers early enough to cure them. This is ground breaking as there have been no significant advances with respect to these cancers in over 30 years.
To get this project from the research laboratory to a clinical-grade test, the MUHC is in the midst of raising $2M in order to leverage public funding that will triple this amount. While many researchers are working on ovarian and endometrial cancers, Dr. Gilbert, the sole researcher in Montreal seeking an early detection test, is uniquely positioned to achieve this goal. While labs in the US may sport superior funding, Dr. Gilbert’s expertise as a physician and her access to a diversity of women given our public healthcare system should enable her to finish the clinical study needed to confirm her discovery. This is historical and it is happening right here, in Montreal!
The LGWM wants to contribute to this research with a further $100,000.00 so the clinical trials of the "Genomic Pap Test" can succeed and women around the world can be saved from the silent killer that is ovarian cancer.
To find out more about the DOvEEgene project and donate online, please visit the website: www.muhcfoundation.com/dreambig/dovee/.
To donate to the LGWM, a cheque may be made payable to the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal (charitable CRA/Business/Registration number:759448889 RR 0001).
The "Melina and Joanne Fashion Show" will feature Greek and Canadian designers, showcasing their newest spring collections from Europe and Canada, respectively.
The Melina and Joanne Fashion show will be featuring
the Greek designers
BlueBlue Beachwear
Orsalia Parthenis silk scarves
Fourrures Starlight Furs
the Canadian designers
Sinders Bridal House
Wiwi Z Elegance and
artisan_fashionstudio
For tickets, please contact Yula Kiskiras at (438) 822-7047.
April 7, 6.30p.m. at the Palace Convention Centre,
1717 boul Le Corbusier, Laval.
For tickets call 438- 822 7047
Photo shooting: Harry Barba
Intercontinental Hotel, Montreal
