Our Mission

At Ray of Hope, we are committed to bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, survivors, and those affected by ovarian cancer to celebrate victories, share stories of loss, and raise funds for critical research. We aim to empower the ovarian cancer community and fund the advancement of medical breakthroughs in women’s health.

Our Story

Ray of Hope was founded in 2018 after the heartbreaking loss of two dear friends to ovarian cancer. Motivated by their memory, we became a nonprofit organization with a mission to make a difference. All of us at Ray of Hope are volunteers, working together to honor our friends’ legacies and create a lasting impact.

Since our first Ray of Hope Run on June 1, 2019, we’ve hosted five successful events, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the dedication of participants. Each year, all funds raised through donations and race proceeds are directed to the Women’s Health Research Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

We are grateful to our community for their continued support, and together, we are pushing for progress in ovarian cancer research.

The Organization

Ray of Hope is a non-profit organization established in 2018 in the Greater Milwaukee Area in response to the need for more advocacy for ovarian cancer awareness. The nature of ovarian cancer as a deeply personal disease often acts as a barrier to early detection and effective patient advocacy. Treatments for ovarian cancer, even cases that were detected early, are invasive, and take a toll on the body. We’re here to help start the conversation, push for innovation through research, and be a Ray of Hope in the fight for a cure.

2023 Race Donation

In 2023, Ray of Hope made a donation of $17,000 to the Women’s Health Research Program. Thank you to the 2023 race participants, donors, fundraisers, volunteers, and event sponsors for making this possible. 

Be Brave

The “Be Brave” mantra came to life because of Brenda Ray. When her two daughters were growing up, Brenda would sing them a bedtime song. The main message, and reoccurring lyric throughout the song she always sang to her daughters, was “be brave little one”. While Brenda used those lyrics to encourage her daughters to be brave, she also set an amazing example of bravery throughout her entire life.
“Be Brave” not only encompasses Brenda’s bravery, but the bravery of all women who have been affected by ovarian cancer. Women around the world continue to be brave and resilient in the fight against ovarian cancer, and their bravery should not go unnoticed.

Ray of Hope for Ovarian Cancer Cure Inc is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization