Northland mum and ovarian cancer advocate Ruby Smith dies after three-year fight

A young Northland mother, who used her battle with ovarian cancer to raise awareness and funds, has died from the disease.

Ruby Smith died on Friday after a three-year fight with mucinous ovarian cancer.

She was just 32 when diagnosed with the stage three cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of just 25%.

She had just given birth to her third child, and both the pregnancy and her young age led to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Smith paid $30,000 for immunotherapy treatment bevacizumab, known as Avastin, because it is not funded for ovarian cancer and her health insurance did not cover the full cost.

In 2025, she travelled to Japan for cell-based immune therapy, with the cost of up to $70,000 funded with support from fundraisers in the Paihia community.

Despite the physical, mental and financial toll the cancer had on her, Smith continued to help others with ovarian cancer.

In 2024, she ran the Kerikeri Half Marathon to raise sponsorship for, and awareness of, the Ovarian Cancer Foundation NZ, so it could continue to support people like her.

On World Ovarian Cancer Day in May 2025, the talented musician gifted her song Dig Deeper to the foundation.

At the time, Smith said she wrote the song during her dark times on her cancer journey, encouraging people to find inner strength.

Paihia resident Ruby Smith, 35, has died after a three-year battle with mucinous ovarian cancer. Photo / Denise Piper

“When I was diagnosed with cancer, music became my medicine. Dig Deeper was born in the hardest moments, not just for me – but for every woman fighting, every family supporting, and every quiet hero holding it together," she said.

“I felt like I wanted to give back. It’s not just for me but for every woman fighting ovarian cancer.”

Smith used her own example to show ovarian cancer can strike women of any age.

She encouraged women to seek medical help if they have any symptoms of ovarian cancer, known as a silent killer as it is often not diagnosed until too late.

Being Māori, of Ngāpuhi descent, Smith especially encouraged Māori and Pasifika women - who have a higher ovarian cancer diagnosis and death rate - to seek help.

Smith will be farewelled with a service and celebration on Wednesday.

Get common ovarian cancer symptoms checked out

The Ovarian Cancer Foundation said common ovarian cancer symptoms include:

• bloating
• eating less and feeling fuller
• abdominal, pelvic or back pain
• needing to pee more or urgently
• bowel habit changes
• fatigue.

Indigestion, abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge, unexplained weight changes and painful sex are also possible symptoms, and most people with ovarian cancer only experience one or two symptoms at first.

The foundation encourages anyone with symptoms lasting four or more weeks, even if mild, to tell their GP.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.