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Professor Ignace Vergote is Chairman of the Leuven Cancer Institute and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Gynaecologic Oncology at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. He initially trained in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, before specialising in Gynaecologic Oncology in the Department of Gynaecologic Oncology at the Norwegian Radium Hospital, where he later became staff member and in 1991 deputy chairman.

Professor Vergote is currently Chairman of the Belgian & Luxemburg Gynaecological Oncology Group (BGOG), and Chairman of the Protocol committee of European Organization for Research, and Treatment of Cancer -Gynecologic Cancer Group (EORTC-GCG), and President of the Society of Robotic European Gynaecological Surgery (SERGS). Professor Vergote was the founder and first chairman of ENGOT from 2007 until 2012. In 2013 he was Chairman of the Board of Medical Chairmen of the University Hospital Leuven. Since 2014 he is member of the Board of Directors of the University Hospital Leuven.

He has been Chairman of the EORTC-GCG from 1997 to 2003, and served as President of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) for the period 2003-2005. For the period 2006-2008 he was the President of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS). He has been Chairman of the Flemish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 2008 to 2013. He was founder and first chairman of the European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT) from 2007 tot 2012.

He received in 2004 the Wertheim price in Austria and the COBRA price for surgical expertise in the Netherlands. In 2008 he became Honorary Member of the Finnish Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics. In 2012 he became Honorary Member of the American College of Surgeons. 

Professor Vergote’s main areas of clinical and translational research focus on ovarian and uterine cancer. He has authored more than 635 original full papers in peer-reviewed journals, together with 50 book chapters, and edited several books on Gynaecological Oncology. He is Editor of the European Journal of Cancer , and past-Associate Editor of Gynecologic Oncology and the International Journal of Gynaecological Cancer.

The Eve Appeal is a registered charity, formed in 2005. Since then, we have worked hard to raise money to fund the world-class research programme at the Department of Women's Cancer based at University College London (UCL).

The Department's vital and much-needed research will benefit women in the UK and worldwide.

A report by an independent panel reviewing the Department's work and progress (the Pattison Review Report 2009) acknowledges the importance of The Eve Appeal's role: "The Eve Appeal has consistently contributed about 15% of the total research income. However, its contributions have been disproportionately important because they have pump-primed new projects, supported highly innovative work and covered gaps in funding allowing projects to maintain momentum. The national and international standing of the projects to which it has contributed is testament to the effectiveness of The Eve Appeal support."

Major breakthroughs are already being achieved towards improving survival rates of women with gynaecological cancers through the Department's pioneering research into screening, early diagnosis and risk prediction. To build on these successes and save women's lives, raising urgent and on-going funds is critical.

Promoting awareness is vital too. The Eve Appeal therefore disseminates information about the research we fund. We publicise - and provide information on - gynaecological cancers. We contribute to the development of policy and campaigns. And we work in partnership with others to improve the healthcare and support of women.