From Breakthroughs to Belonging: A Look Back at FWC at the 2026 SGO Annual Meeting

There are moments when a meeting becomes more than a meeting.

It becomes a reminder. A reset. A quiet, powerful affirmation of why the work matters.

The 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in San Juan, Puerto Rico was exactly that for the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC).

Across every session, conversation, and connection, one thing remained clear: this work is, and always will be, about people—patients, families, and survivors. The stories that shape everything we do and push us to do more.

As Rachel Saks shared,

Centering Patients, Expanding Access

One of the most meaningful milestones this year was the launch of FWC’s first Spanish-language Patient & Advocate Education Forum.

Held in San Juan and designed to better serve Spanish-speaking communities, the response was overwhelming. More than 250 people registered, marking a record-breaking moment for the program.

But more than the numbers, it was a signal.

A signal that the need for inclusive, culturally relevant, patient-centered education is growing—and that when we listen, we can meet that need in ways that truly matter.

This is what progress looks like: not just advancing treatment, but supporting the whole person beyond a diagnosis.

Advancing Access Through Partnership

None of this happens in isolation.

This year’s Annual Meeting reflected what’s possible when we work together with purpose.

With the support of our partners, we expanded access to trusted, culturally relevant education—reaching more patients, survivors, and advocates with the information and support they need to navigate gynecologic cancer with confidence.

The continued growth of the Patient & Advocate Education Forum is a direct result of that collaboration.

We are proud to stand alongside partners who share our commitment to improving access, advancing education, and driving better outcomes for all. We extend our sincere thanks to Sociedad Americana Contra el Cáncer, VOCES PR, and Centro Comprensivo de Cáncer for helping make this progress possible.

A Record Year for Research

If there was one moment that captured the forward momentum of this field, it was the Donor Appreciation and Research Awards Reception.

In 2026, FWC invested nearly $1.1 million in gynecologic cancer research, a record-breaking milestone.

These investments support researchers pushing boundaries in prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. Just as importantly, they amplify the voices of those dedicated to improving outcomes for patients everywhere.

Because behind every grant is a question waiting to be answered, and a life that could be changed because of it.

Kicking Off 35 Years of Impact

This year also marked the beginning of something bigger: FWC’s 35th Anniversary celebration.

And it started in a way that felt both electric and deeply meaningful.

At the Coca-Cola Music Hall, more than 1,000 members of the SGO community—clinicians, patients, advocates, and partners—came together for Legado en Movimiento (“Legacy in Motion”).

The result?

• Over $143,000 raised
• 360 donors engaged
• A goal surpassed—and then some

A $50,000 challenge grant from Natera helped fuel the momentum, but the real story was the collective energy in the room.

The evening celebrated survivors like Shelly Paolerico, honored the clinicians and advocates driving progress, and embraced the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico in a way that felt joyful, rooted, and unforgettable.

More than a fundraiser, it was a statement: When this community shows up together, impact follows.

The Takeaway

If there’s one thing the 2026 SGO Annual Meeting made clear, it’s this:

Progress isn’t just measured in data or dollars.
It’s measured in access. In inclusion. In community.

It’s in the moments where someone feels seen, supported, and empowered.
It’s in the partnerships that turn ideas into action.
It’s in the collective belief that we can—and will—do better for patients everywhere.

And if San Juan was any indication, the future isn’t just promising.

It’s already in motion.