Graci Foundation
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    • About Graci
    • Strategy
    • Our Goals
    • Research
    • Resources
  • Patient Info
    • Gynaecological Cancers
    • Experiencing a Gynaecological Cancer
    • Passion for Outcome
  • Grants
    • 2025 Grants Open
    • 2025 Grant Guidelines & Grant Application
    • 2025 Grants Policy
    • Grants Awarded
    • Grant Recipients >
      • 2023 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2022 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2021 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2020 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2018 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2017 Research Grant Recipient
  • Fundraising Events
    • 2023 - Runway to Research
    • 2022 - Golf Day
    • 2019 - Drinks and Canapes
    • 2016 - Drinks and Canapes
    • 2015 - Garden Party
  • How to Help
    • How to Help
    • Bequeaths
    • Sponsorship
  • Contact

About Graci

About Us

History of the Graci Foundation
The Graci Foundation is the fundraising name of the gynaecological cancer research trust. It is a registered Charitable Trust with the Charities Number - CC44637.
​This charitable trust was founded in July 2010 by a small group of professionals with an interest in Gynaecological Oncology, the Graci Foundation was established to improve outcomes for women suffering from a gynaecological cancer by supporting New Zealand based research into this area. . GRACI stands for Gynaecological cancer Research and Clinical Innovation. The trustees as experts in the field know that research is the key to progress; and are passionate to see New Zealand Women benefit from the latest advancements in the field.

Access for New Zealand researchers to funds dedicated to gynaecological cancer research to this point has been absent. Good research often requires a team of people, scientists, clinicians and data managers and this can be expensive. We hope that the Grace Foundation will be able to fund and enhance research into gynaecological cancers in New Zealand.


Philosophy of the Graci Foundation
The Graci Foundation is a charitable research Trust with a very specific goal of improving outcomes for women with gynaecological cancer via Research.

The money we raise is used to support research. All of the Board and support staff are voluntary. This means are costs are kept at a minimum. Our goal is to establish a significant capital base so that we can use the interest to fund our ongoing research goals.


LGSC Website Link
The Cure Our Ovarian Cancer website link is below;
​cureourovariancancer.org

The Board of Trustees
The Graci Foundation was established in July 2010 to focus on fundraising for research in gynaecological cancer as no trust exists in New Zealand for this purpose.​

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Sue Idiens - Chairwoman
Sue has been a project manager and property manager for over 20 years dealing with extensive experience in customer and client relationships. Sue has an interest in finance and marketing and brings a different perspective to the Foundation.

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Peter Sykes 
Associate Professor Sykes is a Gynaecological Oncologist who holds a joint clinical and academic post in Christchurch.


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Bryony Simcock
Bryony is a Gynaecological Oncologist who undertook subspecialty training in Australia and the UK and now works at Christchurch Hospital.

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Kathryn Chrystal
Kathryn is a Medical Oncologist at Auckland City Hospital, and specialises in treating gynaecological cancers.


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Simone Petrich
Simone is a Gynaecologist and is based in Dunedin. She has published a number of research papers through the University of Otago.

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Pam Clarke
Pam is a Partner at Nexia New Zealand and specialises in Accounting and Business Advisory. Pam brings extensive commercial and governance experience to the Foundation.

Pam is the Treasurer of the Graci Foundation.

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Hayley McManus
Hayley is an experienced midwife who now works as a Project Manager for the Health Quality ​and Safety Commission. She has considerable experience in health information, technology healthcare management, health services research and project management. Hayley is a survivor of ovarian cancer. 

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Dr Rosalie Stephens
Dr Rosalie trained in medical oncology in New Zealand and then in the UK. Rosalie treats gynaecological cancers at Auckland City Hospital and Harbour Cancer and Wellness. 

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Eva Kohistani
Eva enjoys research and has extensively studied, gaining a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Canterbury, a Master of Laws at Victoria University and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in International Relations and Lingustics from Victoria University. Eva currently works at Parry Field as a Solicitor in Parry Field’s litigation team, focusing on family law matters. 

 © 2023 Graci Foundation, g[email protected]
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Graci
    • Strategy
    • Our Goals
    • Research
    • Resources
  • Patient Info
    • Gynaecological Cancers
    • Experiencing a Gynaecological Cancer
    • Passion for Outcome
  • Grants
    • 2025 Grants Open
    • 2025 Grant Guidelines & Grant Application
    • 2025 Grants Policy
    • Grants Awarded
    • Grant Recipients >
      • 2023 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2022 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2021 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2020 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2018 Research Grant Recipient
      • 2017 Research Grant Recipient
  • Fundraising Events
    • 2023 - Runway to Research
    • 2022 - Golf Day
    • 2019 - Drinks and Canapes
    • 2016 - Drinks and Canapes
    • 2015 - Garden Party
  • How to Help
    • How to Help
    • Bequeaths
    • Sponsorship
  • Contact