Jill Emberson was a fierce and passionate advocate for ovarian cancer and we are honoured that she has chosen HMRI as the recipient of funding donated in her memory to further our research into ovarian cancer.

Jill Emberson was a fierce and passionate advocate for ovarian cancer and we are honoured that she has chosen HMRI as the recipient of funding donated in her memory to further our research into ovarian cancer.

Jill’s life was celebrated at a vibrant public memorial service which filled Newcastle City Hall on 23 January, the Pink Meets Teal Founder requested that memorial donations be made to the Hunter Medical Research Institute to ensure our researchers can continue their work into this insidious disease.

From the moment Jill was diagnosed, she fought fiercely for funding equity in Ovarian Cancer, and was a giant in the field of raising awareness of the disease.

Jill took up the call to politicians and policy makers, successfully lobbying to secure a commitment of $20 million in Federal funding to ovarian cancer in late 2019.

A passionate local journalist with ABC Newcastle, Jill was aware of that the survival rate of ovarian cancer was well below other well-funded and researched cancers such as breast cancer. This is where Pink Meets Teal was born. Jill rallied her sisters in breast cancer survivorship to improve outcomes in ovarian cancer.

Pink Meets Teal has been a phenomenal success, and it’s testament to Jill’s tenacity that it is a community who will continue to stand for funding fairness for ovarian cancer.

HMRI is proud to continue Jill’s legacy by ensuring that our researchers have the funds they need to develop new treatments and interventions for ovarian cancer.

At Jill’s memorial service, it was announced that funds raised in memory of Jill will be used to establish the Jill Emberson PhD Scholarship to work with Associate Professor Nikola Bowden’s team to develop the next generation of ovarian cancer researchers and further their important work to find treatments and improve outcomes.

We would like to thank everyone who has donated to HMRI to enable us to continue Jill’s legacy. The response so far has been phenomenal, and we know that the generous hearts in the Hunter and beyond will continue to ensure that results of Jill’s tireless and inspired campaigning will benefit those who follow her.