The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation

What The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation does

The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation (JRHEF) is a Toronto-based nonprofit organization founded in July 2024 by Mia and Aldo Rotondi in memory of Joan Rotondi, who died after a late-stage ovarian cancer diagnosis. The foundation focuses exclusively on ovarian cancer and addresses the specific gaps the founders encountered during Joan's care: delayed diagnosis, the absence of universal screening, the dismissal of patient symptoms by clinicians, financial barriers to advanced testing and second opinions, and difficulty accessing clinical trials. It serves two principal beneficiary groups — women with ovarian cancer symptoms or diagnoses, and women at elevated genetic risk (BRCA1/2, Lynch Syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia) — alongside a donor and volunteer community built primarily in the Sarnia-Lambton region and broader Canada.

JRHEF delivers four patient-facing programs through partners rather than proprietary infrastructure: non-invasive risk assessment via Aspira Women's Health's OvaWatch and Ova1Plus tests (cited at 99% accuracy for benign adnexal masses); second opinions facilitated through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's program; AI-powered clinical trial navigation via Ancora.ai; and case-by-case financial aid for patients who cannot afford testing or specialist consults. The foundation supplements these with educational content on symptoms, risk factors, and genetic testing, and supported the OurGenes Study at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation with a $25,000 grant (Jan 2026), Canada's first population-based genetic screening initiative in partnership with US-based Helix, aiming to screen 100,000+ participants over five years.

The revenue model is entirely donation-funded. Streams include direct website donations, event ticket sales (comedy nights at $45/ticket, Taylor Swift Eras Tour Challenge participation, virtual raffles at $25/ticket or 5/$100, with US Open quarterfinal prize packages valued at approximately $9,000), stock gifts with tax letters, planned giving via wills and bequests, life insurance beneficiary designations, and a Memorial/Making a Difference Fund at $5,000 per tribute page. Disclosed event proceeds total approximately $79,000 across the first three fundraising events. The organization is staffed by its two co-founders (with reported headcount of 1-10) and is currently in the process of obtaining registered charity status in Canada, a status that has not yet been granted. Operating footprint spans Canada and the United States through its partner network.

Name

The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation

Legal name

The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation

Website

https://jrhef.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation (JRHEF) is a Toronto-based nonprofit founded in July 2024 that supports ovarian cancer patients through risk assessment testing, second opinions, AI-powered clinical trial navigation, and financial aid, funded by community fundraising events and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Patient Support Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL), Gynecologic Oncology & Women’s Cancer Centers (HLAFAJAK)

Keywords

• Ovarian cancer support
• Cancer patient advocacy
• Clinical trial navigation
• Early detection programs
• Nonprofit health foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The foundation accepts direct monetary donations through their website to support ovarian cancer early detection, research, and patient resources.
2. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from ticketed events including comedy nights ($45 per ticket), Taylor Swift Eras Tour challenge, and Cannonball Run participation.
3. Raffles: Virtual raffles with tickets at $25 each or 5 for $100, including prizes like US Open quarterfinal tickets with $3,000 CAD cash.
4. Stock Gifts: Donors can make stock gifts through electronic transfer, receiving a tax letter for the full market value.
5. Life Insurance Beneficiary: Donors can name the foundation as beneficiary of life insurance policies for substantial contributions.
6. Memorial/Making a Difference Fund: $5,000 commitment to create personalized tribute funds honoring loved ones affected by ovarian cancer with dedicated webpage.
7. Wills & Bequests: Planned giving through provisions in wills and estate plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation (JRHEF) is a Canadian nonprofit foundation that delivers a four-pillar suite of free patient-support programs for ovarian cancer: (1) Risk Assessment — facilitating access to OvaWatch/Ova1Plus non-invasive blood tests through Aspira Women's Health; (2) Second Opinions — referral pathways to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center specialists; (3) Clinical Trials Navigation — free use of Ancora.ai's AI-powered clinical trial matching platform; and (4) Financial Aid — case-by-case hardship grants for testing and second opinions. The foundation also publishes ovarian cancer awareness and education content and runs a $25,000 philanthropic donation to the OurGenes Study at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Product overview

The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation (JRHEF) is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of patient-support programs for ovarian cancer, organized around four core pillars: Risk Assessment (OvaWatch/Ova1Plus via Aspira Women's Health), Second Opinions (via Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), AI-Powered Clinical Trials Navigation (via Ancora.ai), and Financial Aid. These programs are complemented by educational content on symptoms and risk factors, and supported by fundraising events and charitable donations including a $25,000 donation to the OurGenes Study at Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Risk Assessment Program Facilitates patient access to OvaWatch and Ova1Plus non-invasive blood test kits from Aspira Women's Health, which assess ovarian cancer risk with 99% accuracy for benign adnexal masses; available to Canadian patients via physician order and to US patients via direct lab access. JRHEF provides financial assistance for patients who cannot afford the testing.
• Second Opinions Program Connects ovarian cancer patients with world-renowned specialists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center through MSK's Second Opinion Program (MSK Patient Access Service, 844-298-6212), enabling patients to receive expert treatment recommendations they can share with their local oncology team. JRHEF provides financial assistance for Canadians who cannot afford the privately-owned service not covered by OHIP.
• AI Clinical Trials Navigation Program Provides ovarian cancer patients free access to Ancora.ai's AI-powered clinical trial matching platform, enabling discovery of and access to eligible trials across North America via a step-by-step process (quick search, questionnaire refinement, profile registration, trial connection). The platform was developed with input from oncology professionals.
• Financial Aid Program Offers financial assistance to individuals facing genuine financial hardship who cannot afford OvaWatch/Ova1Plus tests or Memorial Sloan Kettering second opinions. Aid is reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• OvaWatch has 99% accuracy in determining whether an adnexal mass is benign
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, supporting and minor.

• Princess Margaret Cancer FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026JRHEF donated $25,000 to support the OurGenes Study, Canada's first population-based genetic screening program. The study aims to transform early cancer detection by identifying individuals with inherited genetic risk factors (BRCA1/2, Lynch Syndrome, familial hypercholesterolemia) before disease develops, recruiting 100,000+ participants over five years in partnership with US-based Helix.
• Aspira Women's HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance providing access to OvaWatch and Ova1Plus tests — non-invasive risk assessment tools for ovarian cancer with 99% accuracy in determining benign adnexal masses. The foundation is working to make these tests more accessible in Canada and provides financial assistance for those who cannot afford testing.
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJRHEF facilitates access to MSK's Second Opinion Program, connecting ovarian cancer patients with world-renowned specialists for expert consultation. The foundation provides financial assistance for Canadians who cannot afford the privately-owned service not covered by OHIP.
• Ancora.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered clinical trial matching platform that helps cancer patients discover and access trials tailored to their specific needs. The platform was developed with input from oncology professionals and offers free access to patients.
• HelixcoreTechnology or IntegrationUS-based genetic testing company partnering with Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation on the OurGenes Study to provide population-based genetic screening for hereditary cancer risk factors.
• World Ovarian Cancer CoalitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization whose research and resources are cited throughout JRHEF's educational materials. JRHEF references the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Atlas 2023 as a key source for symptom and risk factor information.
• LOVE-ALL Justin Bourassa Memorial FundsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit endowment fund honoring Justin Bourassa, focused on youth tennis in Sarnia-Lambton. Partnership for US Open raffle event, with net proceeds supporting both organizations' missions.
• RaffleboxsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElectronic raffle system provider for JRHEF's US Open Quarterfinal Tickets raffle, administering digital ticket sales and lottery draw.
• Ovarian Cancer CanadasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization referenced for risk assessment tools and resources. JRHEF links to Ovarian Cancer Canada's Risk Assessment Activity.
• Dante Club HallminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for the First Annual Comedy Night featuring Mike Marino. Silvana Cservik, President of the Dante Club, provided support for the event.
• Mike MarinosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerComedian and entertainer (seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Comedy Central) who performed at the First Annual Comedy Night fundraiser, traveling from New Jersey to support JRHEF's mission.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC): US organization focused on ovarian cancer awareness, education, and survivor support; comparable in mission and event-driven fundraising model.
• Ovarian Cancer Canada: National Canadian charity dedicated to ovarian cancer awareness, research, and support; the closest direct peer given JRHEF's Canadian footprint and identical disease focus.
• World Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Global coalition producing the World Ovarian Cancer Atlas and cited as a resource partner by JRHEF; directly comparable mission with international reach.
• Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA): US-based nonprofit funding ovarian cancer research and providing patient support; mirrors JRHEF's combination of research funding and patient program delivery.
• T.E.A.L. (Tell Every Amazing Lady About Ovarian Cancer): Grassroots ovarian cancer awareness nonprofit using events, walks, and community programs; comparable in size, founder-driven model, and event-driven fundraising.
• Clearity Foundation: Nonprofit providing ovarian cancer patients with information on treatment options and clinical trials; overlaps JRHEF's clinical trial navigation and patient education programs.

Broad incumbents

• Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation: Major Canadian cancer hospital foundation that received a $25,000 grant from JRHEF and runs the OurGenes Study; an institutional partner and broader-incumbent comparable operating in the same donor market.
• American Cancer Society: Largest US cancer nonprofit addressing all cancer types including ovarian; broadly incumbent with overlapping patient navigation, research funding, and screening advocacy.
• Susan G. Komen: Large, established breast cancer nonprofit with analogous fundraising, affiliate network, and race/walk event model; structurally the playbook JRHEF could scale toward for gynecologic cancers.

Others

• Ancora.ai: AI-driven clinical trial matching platform partnered with JRHEF; an ecosystem/technology peer enabling cancer patient trial discovery rather than a fundraising competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/JRHEF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jrhef

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Joan Rotondi Hope & Empowerment Foundation