About US

Belles with Balls NL was co-founded by Bonnie Morgan and Alana Walsh-Giovannini in 2018. Bonnie, who is living with a recurring form of ovarian cancer, and Alana, who lost her mother to the disease, recognized the lack of ongoing research and information available to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians about ovarian cancer. Currently, no effective screening test or preventative vaccine exists. The disease is often diagnosed in its late stages, and treatments are typically ineffective due to the advanced progression of the illness.

For these reasons, Bonnie and Alana founded Belles with Balls NL to help raise funds for ovarian cancer genetic research being conducted at Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine. They also recognized the critical importance of early detection in successful treatment. Through donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research and Education (OCRE) Fund and other related initiatives, Belles with Balls NL aims to increase awareness of the disease's potential warning signs among women in Newfoundland and Labrador.

All funds raised through Belles with Balls NL’s efforts stay within Newfoundland and Labrador. The organization supports the Ovarian Cancer Research and Education (OCRE) Fund at Memorial University, which funds ovarian cancer genetic research and educational symposiums with physicians and other healthcare providers. These initiatives aim to educate the public about the hidden signs of ovarian cancer, treatment options, and advancements in genetic research.

Team Members

Belles with Balls NL is a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about finding better treatment options for Ovarian Cancer as well as educating the public about the symptoms. Our team consists of: