In 2015, the Rivkin Center saw a record number of applications for grant funding from independent investigators. We received over 170 applications for both Pilot Study and Scientific Scholar Awards, an increase of more than 100% in the number of applications received just two years prior. This reinforces the value of private funding for ovarian cancer research at a time when federal funds available for this type of work remain increasingly scarce. Even with this significant demand, the 60-person Rivkin Center Scientific Review Committee is committed to funding only proposals receiving exceptional marks based on a nine-point review scale used by the National Institutes of Health. We funded each of the five proposals for 2015 Scientific Scholar Awards that were rated as “exceptional” by our Review Committee. However, while the board had initially budgeted for eight Pilot Study Awards, only four received “exceptional” ratings, and thus only four were funded. We awarded three Bridge Fund Awards, allowing scientists to continue their vital research while applying for Federal funding. 2015 Report Card Scientific Grant Making When ovarian cancer is detected in its earliest stages, 92% of women survive at least 5 years. 801 BROADWAY, SUITE 701, SEATTLE, WA 98122 WWW.RIVKIN.ORG 206.215.6200 For every $ 1 invested by our donors, Rivkin-funded researchers leverage more than $ 7 from other sources.
Transcript
In 2015, the Rivkin Center saw a record number of applications for grant funding from independent investigators. We received over 170 applications for both Pilot Study and Scientific Scholar Awards, an increase of more than 100% in the number of applications received just two years prior. This reinforces the value of private funding for ovarian cancer research at a time when federal funds available for this type of work remain increasingly scarce.
Even with this significant demand, the 60-person Rivkin Center Scientific Review Committee is committed to funding only proposals receiving exceptional marks based on a nine-point review scale used by the National Institutes of Health. We funded each of the five proposals for 2015 Scientific Scholar Awards that were rated as “exceptional” by our Review Committee. However, while the board had initially budgeted for eight Pilot Study Awards, only four received “exceptional” ratings, and thus only four were funded.
We awarded three Bridge Fund Awards, allowing scientists to continue their vital research while applying for Federal funding.
2015 Report Card
Scientific Grant Making
When ovarian cancer is detected in its earliest stages, 92% of women survive at least 5 years.
801 BROADWAY, SUITE 701, SEATTLE, WA 98122 WWW.RIVKIN.ORG 206.215.6200
For every $1
invested by our donors,
Rivkin-funded researchers
leverage more than
$7 from other
sources.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSSaul E. Rivkin, MD Founder & ChairmanGloria Bensussen PresidentMyra Tanita SecretaryHenry (Skip) Kotkins, Jr. TreasurerGarnet Anderson, PhDDonna BenaroyaThomas Brown, MDJoyce CutlerCharles Drescher, MDEdward FisherPatricia FlugGary Goodman, MDBobbie HintonSusun HosfordRoland JankelsonLois MayersC. Eric MorseMelissa RivkinAlex SmithScott SwerlandKatie Van Kessel, MD
EX OFFICIOJoe White Executive DirectorMary (Nora) Disis, MD Medical and Scientific Director
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARDDeborah K. Armstrong, MD Johns HopkinsMichael J. Birrer, MD, PhD Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolMary L. (Nora) Disis, MD University of WashingtonDavid Huntsman, MD University of British Columbia, British Columbia Cancer AgencySanto Nicosia, MD University of South FloridaKunle Odunsi, MD, PhD Roswell Park Cancer InstituteSaul E. Rivkin, MD Swedish Medical CenterVictoria Seawaldt, MD Duke UniversityWeiping Zou, MD, PhD University of Michigan Medical School
BELOW: DR. SAUL RIVKIN, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN WITH JOE WHITE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND PARTICIPANTS AT THE 2016 SUMMERUN & WALK.
Early DetectionThe Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program (OCEDP), formed by the Rivkin Center in collaboration with Swedish Medical Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, was funded entirely by Rivkin donors between 2009 and 2015. The OCEDP was the only program of its kind in the Pacific Northwest to provide free screening to women at high risk for ovarian cancer. This screening included a twice-yearly CA-125 blood test, annual ovarian ultrasound, access to health status tracking, and an optional genetic counseling session.
Research SymposiaThe Rivkin Center has developed a strong alliance with the country’s largest cancer research professional society, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), to support and expand ovarian cancer research symposia in the United States. While our Symposium is held biennially and we did not host a meeting in Seattle in 2015, the Rivkin Center was the lead supporter at AACR’s second Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research held October 17–20 2015, in Orlando, Florida. Our partnership with AACR highlights the important advances happening today in ovarian cancer research — there is enough exciting progress to warrant a national scientific conference on this topic every year!
2015 Awards
Rivkin Center scientific research grants serve as a vital bridge between a researcher’s innovative idea and major funding that could lead to a future breakthrough.Since our inception in 1996, the Rivkin Center has awarded more than $9 million in ovarian cancer research grants to scientific invest-igators around the globe, making us one of the oldest and largest nonprofit funders of ovarian cancer research.
5 Scientific Scholar Awards
4 Pilot Study Awards
3 Bridge Fund Awards
OUR MISSION is to save women’s lives and reduce their suffering through improved treatment, early detection, and prevention of ovarian cancer.
In December 2015, the Rivkin Center board voted to transition the OCEDP to Swedish Medical Center in reflection of the new standard of care. This is a preliminary step in our long-term goal to substantially expand screening access to high risk women throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program Highlights 2009-2015
Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of women’s cancer deaths in the United States.
women tested positive for a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
women elected to have their
ovaries and/or fallopian tubes
removedwomen were diagnosed with early-stage disease
women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer
women enrolled
OUR VISION is that women no longer die of ovarian cancer.
801 Broadway, Suite 701, Seattle, WA 98122 www.rivkin.org 206.215.6200
2015 Financials
Program Expensesm Pilot Study Awards 27%m Scientific Scholar Awards 27%m Early Detection Screening 22%m Scientific Program Expenses 11%m Bridge Funding Awards 8%m Research Symposia 5%
* Figures include all cash and new pledges received during fiscal year 2015
* At the time of production, a formal audit of 2015 numbers has not yet been conducted.
An extensive 2015 analysis of past Rivkin Center grant recipients from 2008 -2013 revealed that the scientific community turned $4.7 million in donor-funded Rivkin Center grant awards to 73 investigators into an additional $33 million in funding from other sources — more than a 7-fold ROI on our donors’ investment.
