Bequest Makes A Huge Impact

When Ian Hemming left his whole Estate to Ovarian Cancer Australia in his Will in 2017, he probably had no idea of the impact that his incredible gift was going to have for our organisation in helping women living with ovarian cancer.

Ian wanted to leave his gift to Ovarian Cancer Australia because he was so moved by Annie Mulder’s story of survival from her diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer. His neighbour, Ros Scott is very good friends with Annie’s mother Mia Ryan. Ian had no family of his own and he really wanted to see more help for women living with this deadly disease.

It is through the friendships of these women with Ian that OCA received this life changing bequest from Ian Hemming. 

Ian Hemming

The home, left to Ovarian Cancer Australia in Melrose Park NSW sold recently for $1.5M and our real estate agent, Neil Robson from Ray White also generously donated half of his commission to help women living with ovarian cancer. 

From left: Ann-Maree Mulders, Ros Scott & Mia Ryan

“Ian Hemming created this surprise gift which came to us through this roller coaster year of unexpected turns from the negative impacts of COVID on our community fundraising efforts and this has meant we have had an incredible change of fortune through this most turbulent of years,” Jane Hill, Ovarian Cancer Australia CEO said.

“Ovarian Cancer Australia will use these funds to help underpin our support services into the future and to fund new support projects that would otherwise not be afforded to the women we help, such as counselling, social work and psycho-oncolgy services," she said.

Ovarian Cancer survivor and advocate Ann-Marie Mulders added that she is overwhelmed and thrilled that Mr Hemming chose Ovarian Cancer Australia as the recipient of his estate.

"I'm so happy that my story connected with Mr Hemming, and I'd encourage every Ovarian Cancer Survivor to share their story too. Much needed support can come unexpectedly, and ovarian cancer deserves and needs all of the support it can get!"

If you would like to speak to us about leaving a gift to Ovarian Cancer Australia in your Will please call us on 1300 660 334.

We are very happy to speak with you to discuss what you would like your bequest to do, so that it can be organised in a way that you feel best helps future proof our support services for women living with this disease and to help change the low survival rates of ovarian cancer. 

The late Ian Hemming will be forever remembered by his incredible act of generosity to OCA