Welcome to the Granulosa Cell Tumour Foundation New Zealand

Granulosa cell tumours (GCT) are a rare form of ovarian cancer.   Statistics show that they make up a relatively small percentage of all ovarian cancers and GCT has therefore received less attention from researchers than some other cancers.

Because GCT is rare, many oncologists are not readily familiar with the disease, few claim to be specialists in its treatment, and some doctors, reportedly, still think that GCT is not considered to be a cancer.

Founded in 2004, the mission of the Granulosa Cell Tumour Foundation New Zealand is to:

• Provide women with information about this disease and give them knowledge that they can share, in turn, with their medical team; and
• Raise money to support GCT-specific research with the goal of developing more effective treatments

Why we push for research

One of the most common descriptions of GCT in the medical community is: "Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary is an uncommon tumor of low malignant potential (LMP)" and many articles add that GCT has a "low rate of recurrence".

Often this is presented as a comforting factor, implying that you do not have to worry that much about recurrence or dying of the disease.   It is also known, however, that "Low-grade ovarian cancers and LMP tumours generally resist conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy."    Several articles have also stated that 50% - 80% of women with recurrent GCT will die from the disease, just as our Founder, Sladjana (Sofi) Crosley, did.

That is why we need research on GCT and why we have established the "Sladjana M. Crosley Fund for GCT Research".  This is not always a "benign" disease and can recur at any point over your lifetime, even up to 35 years after your diagnosis.  

We need "Warriors"

Medical discoveries don't happen without research, and research doesn't happen without a steady flow of funding.  Because we know that GCT tends to be non-responsive to normal, cytotoxic chemotherapy we have commissioned research designed to find molecular pathways through which GCT might be better controlled, and possibly cured.   We need you to support this battle and want to enlist you as a "GCTF Warrior".   For a minimum, annual donation of at least $25 NZD, or more if you can possibly afford it, we will register you as a "GCTF Warrior". By clicking on the "Donate Today" link you make a statement to yourself and us that you recognise the importance of this research and are joining the fight!

In return, we will provide you with every bit of insight and information we can muster to help you and your medical team.   This includes complete updates from our research teams as we receive them; unrestricted access to our Case History database; the right to post messages on our forum; periodic newsletters from the foundation; and more services we are continuing to develop.

GCTF New Zealand is a registered, 100% volunteer foundation

The foundation is registered with New Zealand Inland Revenue and the US Internal Revenue Service.  When you donate to GCTF NZ you can depend on 100% of that donation going to researchers due to the fact that we are a totally volunteer organisation and have received a grant from the NZ Lottery Grants Board to help defray operating expenses.   We pay no salaries and no director's fees.  When you donate your hard-earned money you deserve to know that it is going to the purposes for which you donated!