Martha Copeland

The Martha Jane Patterson Copeland Ovarian Cancer Research and Patient Support Fund was established by Cathy Copeland in honor and memory of her mother, Martha Jane Patterson Copeland. This fund supports research and education for ovarian cancer, and supports an advocacy group for women with ovarian and other gynecological cancers and enhanced patient education materials for ovarian cancer patients and their families.

Martha was born on July 23, 1939, in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon graduation from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA, Martha moved to New York City, where she met her future husband, Ted Copeland. In 1982, the Copeland family moved to Gainesville, FL, where Ted became the Chairman of the University of Florida Department of Surgery. Martha was appointed to the North Central Florida Regional Leadership Council by Governor Bob Martinez and served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and Oak Hall School. She was active in the local community and was a member of the UF Medical Guild and the Azalea Club. Martha passed away on April 10, 2016.