Wolverhampton woman launches ovarian cancer charity after mum died within days of diagnosis

Simm Matarazzo, from Wolverhampton, is launching a new cancer charity called The Ovarian Circle after losing her mum, Suki Bhara, days after her diagnosis in December 2025.

Ms Matarazzo, 30, who lives in Codsall but was raised in Whitmore Reans, said her mum, who was born in Wolverhampton, went into hospital on a Wednesday for a scan and the following day a 14cm mass had been detected.

She told the Express & Star that by the Sunday her mum was placed on palliative care as the medical team at New Cross Hospital confirmed that she had advanced ovarian cancer, and by the following Thursday her mother sadly passed away, aged 56.

Ms Matarazzo said her mum who was the “happiest, warmest, most loving soul” had “unknowingly been living with undetected advanced ovarian cancer and her family “was suddenly thrown into a reality we never expected.”

She said: “Within days of her diagnosis, we were facing the unimaginable - and shortly after, we lost her.”

Ms Matarazzo has now launched a GoFundMe to fund her new charity The Ovarian Circle.

Ms Matarazzo has created the new ovarian cancer charity in honour of her mum and for every woman and family affected by ovarian cancer.

She told the Express & Star: “The hopes for the charity is to fundraise in order to support further research into Ovarian Cancer as it is known to be a silent killer and also raise awareness of the signs and symptoms.

“As a family we really struggled with such a sudden loss, therefore the charity also hopes to be a space for those who are going through treatment, those who have been diagnosed or those who have lost a loved one to be able to attend support groups and have a catch up around whatever might be beneficial for the individual - we want to create a warm, loving and supporting environment.

“We are currently working in collaboration Mama Maria's Pantry (located on Waveney Avenue in Wolverhampton) where we will be completing Coffee Mornings on the first Saturday of every month, this will be at 10am until 11.30am.

“We will also be planning further fundraising events for the future”.

The GoFundMe page has been set up to help fundraising proceedings Ms Matarazzo added: “This is only the beginning, but I hope The Ovarian Circle can become a place of hope, support, education and change.”