OVARIAN cancer advocates have called on breast cancer survivors to join forces in the battle for fair funding, and The D Majors are standing to attention.
The breast cancer choir - formerly known as the Choir of Hard Knockers - has joined the Pink Meets Teal "army" to host a black tie fundraiser to raise awareness, and money, for ovarian cancer research.
Choir founder Lauren O'Brien said it "just made sense" for the D Majors to support the cause.
"When I began the choir seven years ago it was in honour of my cabaret partner's mother, who died of breast cancer," Ms O'Brien said. "It started as a breast cancer choir, and over time, women with different kinds of cancers have joined."
Ms O'Brien said there was more support and funding for breast cancer because their large army of survivors, advocates and supporters had "rattled cages" and raised awareness.
Related: 'I went to the doctor and my journey began'
Outcomes for people with breast cancer improved as a result, while survival rates for ovarian cancer remained much the same.
"When my darling friend, Jill Emberson, started her Pink Meets Teal campaign to fight for fair funding for ovarian cancer, we felt compelled to do something to help," she said. "I just adore that woman, she's a bloody warrior.
"We normally raise a little bit of money, but to try and really kick the tin along we thought we would have a black tie ball."
Related: Jill returns to work to spread the word on ovarian cancer
The event is on November 30 at Souths Merewether.
Ms Emberson, who has terminal ovarian cancer, said the fundraiser was a "powerful show of support" from breast cancer survivors.
"This is what Pink Meets Teal is all about," the ABC radio personality said. "As I have gone through my horrible journey, I have realised why ovarian cancer support doesn't gain the kind of traction that breast cancer does. It is because we are small in number, and we die really quickly, so we don't have the capacity to build up an army of advocates. With breast cancer, there is a lot more women who get it, therefore they can build and build their army of advocates and they are able to raise more money, get more research, and get better outcomes, so they live longer. We need the support of breast cancer survivors. We need them to link arms with us to grow our army for ovarian cancer, which will then help us get more funding fairness. Funding leads to research, and research leads to longer lives."
Related: 'Honest and open and raw': Emberson shares journey on Australian Story
Tickets are available via event sponsors, Souths Merewether. The club waived its fee for the charity event.
To donate raffle and auction items, call 0418 163 283.
Ms O'Brien's alter ego, Denise Gold, is also coming out of "glitter rehab" for an afternoon of bingo, songs and fundraising at Merewether's Uniting Church hall on December 7 for Pink Meets Teal.
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