Dear friends of the AGCF

Mother’s Day & May each year brings many emotions. For most, it’s a time to celebrate, often with families and friends.  For others, it’s a poignant time to remember, reflect, and honour the women who have shaped our lives, and especially those we’ve lost to gynaecological cancer. As Chair of the AGCF, I am writing to invite you to give a gift of hope this mother’s day, so that we can invest in targeted research to reduce the number of lives lost to gynaecological cancers. The stats are grim.  

Every 1.3 hours in Australia, a woman is diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer.  Every 4 hours, a woman dies from gynae cancer, on average, 6 women die each day, 2,200 every year. Too often, the cancer is found at an advanced stage, when treatment options are limited and outcomes uncertain.  Around 31% of women with a gynae cancer will not survive beyond five years, 51% of those with advanced cancers.   

On Mother’s Day this year, we honour and remember those AGCF supporters lost to their families from gynae cancer, Annette, Merle, Carmen, Rosaleen, and Rylee’s beautiful mum, Lisa. To read more about their stories: https://agcf.org.au/category/stories/ 

At AGCF, we believe these cancer statistics must change, we know that research saves lives.  Breakthroughs in early detection, screening and treatments are driven by brilliant mid-career post PhD scientists, on the cusp of discovery. Backing more of them will change the future for so many.  

There has never been a more important time to invest in gynae cancer laboratory research because new breakthroughs are happening frequently. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, our understanding of cancer as a genetic disease has accelerated dramatically. What once took years of research and billions of dollars can now be done in days, at a fraction of the cost, allowing scientists to identify the genetic changes that drive cancers faster than ever before, giving us the chance to change outcomes to extend and save lives, particularly with gynae cancer survival. 

This Mother’s Day, we invite you to give a mother’s day gift to AGCF to help fund breakthrough laboratory research by Australia’s brightest minds. As a three times cancer survivor, a wife, mother, grandmother and sister, who treasures the extended life that breakthrough cancer research has given me, I invite you to donate today so that generations of mothers and daughters will survive gynae cancers.  Your gift will truly make a difference. 

We would be pleased to honour your mother, sister, daughter, or friend by including their name(s) on the AGCF’s mother’s day web page.  Please include their name on the AGCF mother’s day donations page, or send an email to info@agcf.org.au. 

With gratitude, Diane Langmack OAM 
Chair, Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation 

P.S. To read about our research: https://agcf.org.au/our-projects/ 

Ms Diane Langmack OAM, Board Chair, AGCF, welcomes Ms Georgina Laverty-Bill taking on the CEO leadership role with the AGCF from mid February.  “Georgina brings a wealth of experience and success in the corporate, not-for-profit, and cancer sectors, gained over 25 years in Australia and overseas, and we are delighted to welcome her to the AGCF team.  Georgina will be taking over from Leonie Young, who has given great service to AGCF in her term as CEO; Leonie raised our profile through active social media platforms, strengthened our infrastructure, and built valuable collaborations across the gynae cancer research sector. Leonie will continue to serve on the Board as Deputy Chair and give support to Georgina as she takes on the CEO role.   We extend a warm welcome to Georgina as we plan ahead for 2026 and beyond, and look forward to further success for AGCF in raising awareness of the 8 gynae cancers, and generating income for breakthrough gynae cancer laboratory research fellowships.”  

Georgina Laverty-Bill Bio. 

Georgina was raised in Sydney in a family committed to medicine. Her mother, Dr Jill Taylor, was a pioneering anaesthetist, and her father, Dr Colin Laverty, was a distinguished gynaecological pathologist whose research in the 1970s helped establish the link between Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. He later founded Laverty Pathology, playing a significant role in shaping diagnostic pathology in Australia. 

Georgina spent 25 years in senior leadership roles within the advertising industry, leading strategy, brand growth and organisational transformation. A decade ago, she transitioned into the not-for-profit sector, bringing commercial rigour and strategic clarity to philanthropic initiatives, including cancer research. 

The loss of her father to cancer, followed by the diagnosis of family members and friends with gynaecological cancers, has shaped her leadership purpose.  

As CEO of AGCF, Georgina is committed to elevating national awareness of the 8 gynae cancers, advancing early detection and accelerating research investment to improve screening, treatment and long-term outcomes for Australian women. Her enduring ambition is to honour her father’s legacy by supporting the brightest medical minds to pioneer the next generation of screening and prevention breakthroughs for future generations. 

She leads with empathy, conviction and an unwavering belief in the power of science to transform lives. 

Outside her professional commitments, Georgina finds joy in supporting her children’s ambitions, contributing to volunteering and community fundraising initiatives, enjoying a round of golf, and walking her dogs. 

Georgina Laverty-Bill MFIA

Georgina Laverty-Bill

I was delighted to join AGCF as CEO in February. Coming from a family deeply rooted in medicine, science has always been part of my life. My father, Dr Colin Laverty, helped establish the link between HPV and cervical cancer in the 1970s—work that transformed screening and prevention in Australia.

While progress in cervical cancer is significant, there is still much to do across the other gynaecological cancers. At AGCF, our focus is clear: raising awareness and funding breakthrough laboratory research to improve early detection, treatment and survival across all of the gynae cancers.

In recent months, I’ve met with leaders across research, government and advocacy, and with women and families directly impacted by these cancers. Their stories reinforce the urgency of our work—and the opportunity to drive meaningful change.

AGCF is actively collaborating across the sector and has submitted a pre-budget proposal to fund post-PhD research fellowships—supporting the next generation of brilliant minds focused on low-survival cancers.

With Mother’s Day, our EOFY campaign, and major initiatives ahead, we invite you to follow, share and support our work—together, we can create a brighter future for women.

Summary: Long-term risk of cancer after fertility treatment in Australia published April 2026 in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) online journal 

In today’s western world, many women are delaying having children until they are well into their 30s, when their fertility is declining. This means that more women are requiring fertility treatment in order to become pregnant, including IVF (in vitro fertilization) and stimulation of the ovaries with the oral medication, clomiphene citrate, For IVF, the ovaries are stimulated with hormones, eggs are then retrieved, and fertilization with the partner’s sperm occurs in the laboratory. The embryo is then placed in the mother’s womb (uterus). There has long been concern that all this artificial stimulation of the ovaries may increase the risk of ovarian and other cancers. This large Australian study conducted by is reassuring for Australian women. It involved 417,984 women who had received fertility treatment between 1991 and 2018 and showed no overall increase in the risk of cancer. Although there was a slight increase in the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers, there was a slight decrease in the risk of cervical cancer, presumably because of increased cervical screening. 

Professor Neville Hacker, AM MD, Founder & Director, AGCF, Research contributor. 

Cancer incidence after medically assisted reproduction 

New research has been published showing women who underwent fertility treatment in Australia had a similar overall rate of cancer as women in general, though they had slightly more of some cancers (uterine and ovarian) and fewer of others (cervical and lung).  

The research was undertaken because the number of women receiving fertility treatments in Australia is increasing. However, there is uncertainty whether they have a higher than background rate of cancer, and therefore whether they should be having more regular health checks for cancer. Evidence about the safety profile of the treatments is also important for women considering fertility treatment. 

The research compared how often cancer occurred in women who had one or more fertility treatments, with how often it occurred in Australian women of the same age and in the same calendar years. The treatments included in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination, and treatment with the fertility drug clomiphene citrate. 

The researchers combined data collected over nearly 30 years in Australian health registries and government administrative datasets, including records of Medicare rebates for fertility treatments. They accessed anonymised records for 417,984 women aged 18 to 55 years who used fertility treatments from 1991 to 2018. 

Uterine and ovarian cancer were slightly more common, as was melanoma. A non-invasive form of breast cancer was also more common in women who had IVF, but invasive breast cancer was not increased. At the same time, some cancers – including cervical and lung cancer – were less common. 

Importantly, women who had had a child prior to having fertility treatment did not have a higher incidence of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or melanoma. Also, the incidence of these cancers was not higher for women who had the highest number of fertility treatments. 

Joint-lead author Dr Adrian Walker, from UNSW’s Centre for Big Data Research in Health, said the overall findings are reassuring – women who receive fertility treatment do not have a higher total incidence of cancer than other women. 

“Women who’ve had assisted fertility should continue to participate in routine cancer screening programs they’re eligible for” he said. “And they should discuss their cancer risk with their doctor, to understand how else they can reduce their risk.” 

Study lead Professor Claire Vajdic, from UNSW‘s Kirby Institute said the findings need to be interpreted carefully. 

“This study focused on comparing rates of cancer in different populations, not whether fertility treatments themselves cause cancer. As such, we must consider the pre-existing risks of cancer in these populations when interpreting the findings” she said. 

“Women who need fertility treatment may differ from other women in ways that affect cancer risk,” Prof. Vajdic said. 

“Certain underlying causes of infertility, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, are known to increase the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers.”  

The research team was awarded funding by the National Health and Medical Research Council. The team included data and behavioural scientists (Claire Vajdic, Adrian Walker, Signe Opdahl, Louisa Jorm, Ursula Sansom-Daly), cancer specialists (Neville Hacker, Antoinette Anazodo), and fertility specialists (Georgina Chambers, Michael Chapman, Robert Norman, Catharyn Stern). The research was published in the international journal JAMA Network Open. See https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2846151 for full details. 

Rylee Haigh’s inspirational & heartbreaking story on his mum Lisa’s battle with vulval cancer – driving Rylee to run 115km - keeping his beautiful mum’s memory alive, and raising awareness of vulval cancer & research funds for AGCF.

On the 17th of February 2024, my mother Lisa noticed a pimple on her vulva, which the average person would surely brush off as nothing. Mum did just that by sending a text to her friend Lisa, cracking a joke about it and carrying on with her day. 

Four weeks passed, with the pimple growing in size and becoming painful. A trip to the GP on the 10th of March resulted in a prescription of pain relief and a biopsy. Dr. Google said it could be vulval cancer, which turned out to be the diagnosis Mum received on the 27th of March 2024. What merely appeared as a small pimple grew into a cyst, and was then identified to be a vulval squamous cell carcinoma. 

Mum had surgery to remove the left side of her vulva at the Freemasons Hospital on the 15th of April 2024, a week after her 59th birthday. Mum came home for a few months until a second surgery was necessary in July, to remove lymph nodes surrounding the area where additional cancers were found.  

August then brought on 5 weeks of chemo and radiation with the aim of hopefully knocking out any remaining cancer cells hiding away, which was all good until the side effects of the treatment started to hit. Deep vein thrombosis, elevated blood pressure, and blood clots caused immense pain and swelling in Mum’s legs which was quickly treated. Mum, unbelievably strong and resilient as always. Not once did she complain, masking the pain to keep us optimistic. 

Radiation finished on the 30th of September 2024. Mum rang the bell and messaged Lisa on her way out of hospital, my life begins again tomorrow. A few demons lingered after the treatment, with Mum being prescribed blood thinners for the clots in her legs. Otherwise, life felt almost normal with Mum returning home, always there to greet everyone with her warm hugs and endless love, roaming around her garden with our german shepherd Jett, and yelling at Dad to turn the TV down every 15 minutes. Mum still had some discomfort when sitting after the surgery, but that was deemed to be a small price to pay to be back at home. 

February 2nd 2025, another lump appeared. This time on the right side of Mum’s groin. An appointment with the surgeon on the 31st of March segued into bookings for scans, tests, and ultrasounds.  

We celebrated Mum’s birthday a few days later, unaware it would be the last time we ever did. A lovely 60th birthday surrounded by all her friends and family, appearing seemingly unbothered by what was going on. No one would have known anything was wrong. Mum was always so strong and masked the pain as to not alarm anyone. I guess that’s just what Mum always did, always putting everyone else before herself. That’s what many mothers do, but my Mum always went above and beyond. 

On the 28th of April 2025, the two words no one who has battled cancer wants to hear, it’s back!  What appeared as another small lump rapidly grew to a 3cm by 4cm tumour. Back to Heidelberg for more chemo and radiation alongside heavy painkillers. 

Treatment continued while the tumour formed into a large wound through until June, so Mum was admitted to the Mercy on the 16th for better oversight, treatment and management of the wound. Doctors said the tumour had spread from a lymph node and burst through the skin causing a malignant ulcer on the surface of her skin. Their hope was that switching from chemotherapy to immunotherapy paired with further radiation would kill the cancer and lead to treatment of the site later down the track. 

However, only three days later, on the 19th of June, the doctors arranged a meeting with all of us to fill us in on what was happening. At the rate the cancer was spreading and the wound growing, we were told we had a maximum of six months left with Mum. Even after being told the news, the only thing Mum cared about was lifting us up, trying to make light of the situation and telling us I’m not dead just yet! and to stop sooking. That’s my Mum.  

Mum came home two days later with a heap of pain killers and daily visits from local nurses in Seymour to dress her wound. Six months sounded better than nothing, but it only took another month until the 29th of July 2025 for Mum to self-admit herself to hospital at the Austin as it was too hard to manage her medication and pain at home.  

We spent the next two months travelling back and forth every day we possibly could from Seymour to Heidelberg to see Mum. Scans in early August showed that Mum’s cancer was spreading into her lungs, and that immunotherapy wasn’t working to keep it at bay.  

Mum never gave up or lost hope. She was always insistent on returning home for us, telling me all she really needed was a hug at home every day to get better. A hospital is no place to live out your days. As her wound kept growing, the dosage of her painkillers kept increasing. Along with the increased dosage came additional struggles to get out of bed or eat most days. 

Although Mum never came home, we were extremely fortunate that the Seymour Hospital had the capacity to care for her. On the 27th of August 2025, Mum was transferred into a room in Seymour, just a five minute drive from home. Better than what we were dealing with before for sure. With the distance being shortened it made visiting even easier. Every day Mum had a visit from Dad, myself, my partner Steph, my sister Sienna, and Mum’s friends Lisa and Marie. Mum’s brother Dean and friend Denby also flew down from New South Wales to support everyone and give Mum their love. They particularly made sure everyone had eaten and kept on top of the nurses asking for updates on Mum’s condition. 

On the 22nd of September 2025, we all visited for the final time. We all stayed late and gave Mum an extra hug and kiss before leaving her and Dad for the night. 

Dad had been staying at the hospital overnight with Mum the past week, not leaving her side for a single second. At roughly 5am on the 23rd of September 2025, Dad woke up, got out of his bed and sat with Mum, holding her hand in silence. Mum took her last breath at about 5:30am. Cancer may have beaten her in the end, but she didn’t make it easy.  

Mum spent her whole life putting others before herself. Although I never got the chance to pay her back for her selflessness, I’ve made it my goal to at least pay it forward and make Mum proud. Thus, on the 4th of April 2026, the day before what would have been Mum’s 61st birthday, I aim to be running 115 kilometres to raise funds for the Australian Gynae Cancer Foundation, for much needed breakthrough research and to spread awareness of vulvar cancer, the cancer which claimed the lives of 115 women in 2025, including the person most important to me, my mum Lisa. 

Rylee Haigh. 

If you’d like to donate to life-saving gynae cancer research, please visit the AGCF website, https://www.agcf.org.au/ or directly via bank deposit to:

AGCF ANZ Bank
BSB: 012 003
Account: 2678 02408 

Post script to Rylee’s run:  

I wanted to touch base after my run and fundraising, thank you guys for your help and support.  

Unfortunately, I only managed to run 80km out of the 115km I had planned.  I had some issues with my feet and ankles after 70km which was to be expected!  However, we managed to raise $8250 from 91 different donors, including heaps of friends, family, colleagues and members of the community, which I’m over the moon about!  Did not expect so much support, very happy with what we managed to do!   

Thank you AGCF team for all the support and for everything you guys do for the world! 

Until next time, Rylee Haigh 

What an amazingly modest young man is Rylee.  The AGCF team is very proud to support Rylee and congratulate him on his outstanding efforts honouring his mum Lisa and the 115 women who died from vulvar cancer in 2025. Many of us would struggle to run 800 metres or 8km, but running 80km was an amazing effort. You’re a champion Rylee, your mum would be so very proud of you.  Well done from the AGCF team.  

Sharing hope 💜

Rylee and his running mate on finishing his 80 km.

Rylee in police uniform

Rylee's mother, Lisa.

Held in March in recognition of International Women’s Day, the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral Parish event was brought to life by the @ololsyd Ladies of Our Lady organising committee.

With AGCF Ambassador Dr Rosie McDonald presenting and an incredible group of women of all ages attending, $18,250 was raised to help fund vital gynaecological cancer research.

A meaningful reminder of what can be achieved when we come together to support better outcomes for women.

Dr Rosie McDonald is a prevocational doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Royal North Shore Hospital. Her dedication to this field is shaped by a deeply personal experience: her aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her early forties. Witnessing the impact of ovarian cancer on a young woman in her own family highlighted for Rosie the profound need for earlier detection, better support, and continued investment in research. Her aunt’s experience remains the driving force behind Rosie’s advocacy and her determination to improve outcomes for women affected by gynaecological cancers.  

Alongside her clinical work, Rosie is a Project Coordinator with the Women’s Health Education Network, where she leads initiatives focused on improving health literacy and combating misinformation — currently overseeing a major project on menopausal health. She is also the founder of the HPV Project Uganda, an initiative aimed at reducing cervical cancer through community education and improved access to HPV vaccination in rural regions.  

Rosie is passionate about promoting equitable access to high-quality women’s healthcare and hopes to pursue a career as a gynaecological oncologist.  She is proud to support the AGCF through advocacy, education and fundraising, helping champion the role of research in transforming outcomes for women across Australia, and beyond. 

Lymphoedema Australia is inviting community members, carers, and health professionals to attend their Public Information Day - a special event designed to empower people living with lymphoedema with knowledge, connection, and practical tools.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 30 June 2026
📍 Location: The Angliss Conference Centre, 555 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
⏰ Time: 10.00am–3:30pm

Attendees will hear from leading lymphoedema specialists on topics including:
✔ Understanding lymphoedema and its impact
✔ Treatment options and self‑management strategies
✔ Advances in clinical care
✔ Emotional wellbeing and support for daily life

The day will also feature exhibitor displays, product demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with others living with or supporting someone with lymphoedema.

🎟 All are welcome - patients, families, clinicians, and anyone wanting to better understand this chronic condition. Tickets are now available through Lymphoedema Australia.

🔗 Learn more & register here

Honouring Rylee Haigh’s inspiring fundraising run in memory of his mother Lisa, thanking our partners and donors, and inviting you to support breakthrough gynae cancer research this Mother’s Day and beyond.

You may have read Rylee’s story—about losing his mother, Lisa Haigh, to vulvar cancer after an 18-month battle.

What began as something small became something devastating. Despite surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Lisa’s cancer returned aggressively. Tragically, she lost her life—one of 115 Australian women who died from vulvar cancer last year. A diagnosis like this affects far more than one person—it impacts families, partners and children. We extend our heartfelt support to Rylee and his family.

In honour of his mother, Rylee ran 80 kilometres to raise awareness and raised an incredible $8250 to support research. Every donation—no matter the size—helps advance earlier detection and better treatments for all gynaecological cancers. If you'd like to donate in support of Rylee's efforts, you can do so via the AGCF website — all donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

In February, we attended an International Women’s Day event with our Ambassador, Dr Rosie McDonald, hosted by Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral Parish.

Speaking to more than 150 women, Dr Rosie shared vital insights into symptoms, awareness and the importance of early diagnosis. The evening raised an incredible $18,250 to support breakthrough laboratory research. We extend our sincere thanks to the OLOL Women’s Health Dinner Committee and all supporters.

We are also deeply grateful to our partners and donors, including Spacey Studios, Overport, Majestic IT, Sydney Sock Project, and the many individuals who supported AGCF through Grassrootz, GiveNow, GoFundMe and PayPal over the past few months.

As we head into winter, we wish you warmth and wellness. If you would like to support AGCF, there are many ways to do so:

Every action helps fund the research that saves lives. Thank you for your continued support. 

Together, we are funding the breakthroughs that will change the future of gynaecological cancer.

Funding research for a brighter future

AGCF salutes the wonderful mothers & their families who have supported AGCF and our brilliant mind researchers, to those women we’ve lost to gynae cancers and those who so generously share their stories of life-saving breakthrough treatments, adding years to lives, sharing hope 💜

Paula Duncan celebrates her sister Carmen on Mother's Day.

Sapoo Star with her daughters.

Merle Finkel, a Founder and Director of the AGCF, with her daughters.

Carmen Duncan with her children.

Dr Dane Cheasley with his mother.

Paula Duncan with her mother.

Loraine Peck, prior AGCF board member, and her mother.

Paula Duncan AM, prior AGCF ambassador, with her daughter.

Cindy Sullivan with her daughter.

Jean Kittson, AGCF Ambassador, with her mother.

Dr Aime Powell, 2018 AGCF Research Fellow, with her mother.

Dr Caroline Ford, Strategic Director, AERI, UNSW, and her mother