Actress Rebecca Gibney is lending her presence to the annual Witchery White Shirt Campaign
New Zealand actress Rebecca Gibney is a familiar face to many, for her roles in The Flying Doctors, Halifax, Packed to the Rafters, and Wanted among other popular TV series and films.
Having grown up in Wellington – although she spent much time working in Australia – the Gold Logie award-winning actress is now settled back in New Zealand and based in Dunedin.
One of her most recent roles, and most personal, is stepping up as an ambassador for the Witchery White Shirt Campaign.
2023 marks Witchery’s 15th annual White Shirt Campaign in partnership with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). Witchery and the OCRF have been in partnership for more than 20 years, with the White Shirt Campaign being the largest funder of ovarian cancer research in Australia, raising more than $15 million since the campaign’s inception in 2008.
For every white shirt sold, Witchery donates 100% of gross proceeds to the OCRF. The campaign hinges on the importance of funding research to develop an early detection test and more effective treatments for ovarian cancer. Unlike breast and cervical cancers, there’s currently no early detection test and treatments have only marginally improved in the last 30 years.
This year, Witchery collaborated with Creative Director and Co-founder of P.E Nation, Pip Edwards, to create the 2023 White Shirt style, and joining forces with the campaign are a number of ambassadors (including Rebecca Gibney, Kayla Itsines, Emma Watkins, Laura Henshaw, and Steph Claire Smith among others).
FashioNZ caught up with Rebecca Gibney about her passion for supporting this cause.
What resonates with you on a personal level about this Witchery campaign?
My dear sister-in-law Annie lost her mother to ovarian cancer and it happened very quickly from diagnosis until her passing. She was only in her 60s and it was devastating for Annie. It robbed her children of a devoted grandmother way too early.
Why do you feel strongly about the importance of Ovarian Cancer Research and Fundraising?
Ovarian cancer is yet to have a screening test and given its symptoms are often confusing, it means it can go undetected until it’s too late for many women. Sixty-four percent of women recently surveyed still believe a pap smear will detect it. We need more awareness raised to combat the preconceptions of this often-deadly disease.
What your role as ambassador involves?
Raising awareness at every opportunity.
How do you plan to style/wear your Witchery white shirt?
I’m a jeans kind of girl so I’ll be wearing it with jeans and boots, but it’s the kind of shirt that will go with everything so I’ll no doubt be wearing it a lot.
The 2023 Witchery White Shirt is available now online and in-store throughout Australia and New Zealand. Witchery White Shirt Day and World Ovarian Cancer Day on 8 May will mark the conclusion of this special campaign.
Key statistics surrounding ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer based on survival rates not frequency
- The current average five-year survival rate is just 49%
- One woman dies every eight hours from ovarian cancer in Australia
- Five women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day
- In most cases, ovarian cancer has no obvious symptoms, resulting in most women being diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease
- More than 50% of the community incorrectly believe that a pap test diagnoses ovarian cancer
- Invasive surgery is currently the only way of detecting and accurately diagnosing ovarian cancer
- 70% of women are diagnosed in the advanced stages – only 29% of these women will survive beyond five years
- A recurrence rate of 80% is one factor as to why ovarian cancer is so lethal
- Developing an early detection test will allow for early diagnosis and early treatment, ultimately saving lives
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