This year in Canada, it is estimated that approximately 2,600 women will be newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer. With already 17,000 Canadian women living with ovarian cancer, it is the 5th most common cancer for women — and it does not discriminate against age.

Though women between 50 and 59 are in the high-risk group, ovarian cancer can occur in younger women in their twenties. In women of all ages, ovarian cancer is the most fatal of female cancers.

At Ovarian Cancer Canada’s 3^rd annual LOVE HER event, held at Toronto’s Liberty Grand — one of three events across the country — once again women came together to raise funds for and open discussion about the “silent killer” amongst them. With no reliable screening test for this type of cancer, guest speakers — including 25-year-old ovarian cancer survivor Bailey Urquhart, hit home the importance of listening to one’s body and being aware of symptoms.

“Ovarian cancer is a disease that is difficult to detect and often detected too late,” explains Robert Herjavec of ABC’s Emmy-nominated Shark Tank and the Honourary Chairman of LOVE HER 2014. “My mom passed away from it a few years ago, so it is very personal to me.”

An evening of fashion and education, the LOVE HER party kicked into gear with a silent auction, followed by a runway show hosted by Canada AM’s Marci Ien and Beverly Thomson. Entertainment opened with a performance by Juno award-winning R&B singer, Divine Brown, who took a moment to share with FILLER, what inspired her to get involved with the charity fundraiser. “Female-related cancers are one of the hardest to handle, as I have had some family members who had brushes with different types,” she says. “It’s an important cause, and I am happy to take part in LOVE HER this year.”

Later in the evening, the LOVE HER runway welcomed models dressed in SS14 looks from Andrews, a local Toronto boutique offering luxury fashion and beauty items, closing with a rambunctious live auction that hit a high note (and high bids) when dinner with a selection of the city’s finest — firefighters that is — was put up for bidding.

Another successful evening of fashion, entertainment and education, the third annual LOVE HER event in Toronto was a celebration of women that boasts $260,000 raised in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada and their efforts to overcoming ovarian cancer.

In honour of International Women’s Day tomorrow, why not love her — the many women in your life…and the one in the mirror — and make a donation to Ovarian Cancer Canada.

For more information on ovarian cancer, including the signs and symptoms, please visit: www.ovariancanada.org