BC Women's Health Foundation

We are excited to announce that Zaheer Jiwani has joined our Board of Directors! As a father of two young daughters, Zaheer believes in the need to continue to advance women’s health and he is dedicated to improving access to health and equity for women and children. Zaheer is currently an Executive Strategist at ServiceNow, a large global technology company, where he partners with senior leaders at large Canadian organizations on digital and business transformation strategies. Zaheer’s proven track record includes senior leadership roles in Canada and globally at Deloitte, Etihad Airways, and Best Buy Canada. We are thrilled to have Zaheer bring his extensive expertise to support the meaningful work of the Foundation to drive impactful change. Learn more about our Board of Directors at https://lnkd.in/gGkCt793

Last week, we attended the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Health Care Forum 2024 | Menopause + Health Equity at Work, presented by Pacific Blue Cross. We heard from experts in women’s health, such as keynote speaker Dr. Jen Gunter, and results from the Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI) HER-BC study were unveiled, revealing critical insights into the health, work, and care impacts of menopause. Expert Panel: Dr. Marina Adshade, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Teaching, Vancouver School of Economics, University of British Columbia Dr. Lori Brotto, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the The University of British Columbia, Canadian Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health and Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute (WHRI) lani dehek, Senior Safety, Ability and Wellness Specialist, BC Nurses' Union Dr. Unjali Malhotra, Menopause Specialist, Medical Officer, Women's Health at First Nations Health Authority Shirley Weir, Founder, Menopause Chicks We’re thrilled to see real progress in women’s health, with conversations around menopause gaining the attention they deserve! Read the full HER-BC report at whri.org/her-bc Discover how BC Women's Health Foundation is driving impactful change in Menopause + Midlife Women's Health, and join us in making a difference at https://lnkd.in/g8nXJ2vm #menopause #midlifewomen #womenshealth

BC Women’s Health Foundation and our community of donors supports families throughout BC in a variety of ways, one of which is through the BC Women's Prenatal Emergency Support Fund. This fund provides crucial financial support to out-of-town families who need to travel to Vancouver for maternal healthcare at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, these families receive essential support during their most critical times. “It was terrifying, not knowing what we were going to do or how we would make it through. The BC Women’s Prenatal Emergency Support Fund, supported by the BC Women’s Health Foundation, meant everything to us. I am forever grateful.” - Miranda, Grateful Patient Read Miranda's story to learn how the emergency support fund made a difference: https://bit.ly/48tfapb

Don't miss your chance to join us for a free webinar on estate planning this Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 10:30am-11:30am with Monique Trépanier, Estate + Trust Consultant at Scotiatrust. Topics will include: • What to include in your Will • Understanding probate • Types of trusts • Incapacity planning • Charitable planning RSVP at giving@bcwomensfoundation.org or call 604.970.4373 #legacygiving #makeawillweek

As a founding member of the Women's Health Collective Canada (WHCC), we are excited to welcome IWK Foundation from Halifax, Nova Scotia! The expansion solidifies WHCC’s position as one of Canada’s foremost women’s health charities, establishing it as a truly coast-to-coast alliance. This growth strengthens WHCC’s ability to engage a nationwide audience and corporate partners, broadening its reach and enhancing its capacity to address critical women's health issues through impactful fundraising. We are proud to continue to strengthen our national impact, ensuring every woman in Canada has access to the care and support she deserves. Welcome, IWK Foundation! #WomensHealth #StrongerTogether #WHCC

We are delighted to announce that Karen Kerr has stepped into the role of Board Chair on our Board of Directors. Since joining our Board in 2021, Karen has been a dedicated champion for women’s and newborn health. As a senior leader at one of Canada’s top asset managers, she brings over 20 years of expertise in fiduciary matters, client education, and talent development. "My personal connection to the Foundation began in 2009, after experiencing six pregnancy losses. I was a patient at the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, which is one of the many programs that are supported by the Foundation. Pregnancy loss can be an incredibly isolating experience, but the care I received made all the difference. Thanks to the amazing team at the clinic, I no longer felt alone. Now, being able to give back by supporting the same life-changing care I once received is incredibly meaningful, and I am honoured to serve on the Board." – Karen Kerr, Board Chair Karen is a role model for women in her firm and beyond, and we are so grateful for her leadership and advocacy for diversity and inclusion. Learn more about our Board of Directors at https://lnkd.in/gKaQXbhJ #BCWHF #BoardChair #womenshealth #community

Earlier this month, @melanieauldjewelry hosted #Limitless, a panel discussion and networking event dedicated to inspiring women to create without limits. $7,500 was raised through the event and will go to support women's health initatives through BC Women's Health Foundation. Panelists included: @melanieauld, @gilliansegaldesign, and @erincsousa and was moderated by @sophieccollins Thank you for championing women's health!

The Skidmore Goodman Perinatal Research IMaging and Evaluation (PRIME) Centre is a unique ultrasound and imaging research and training facility located within BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre. The PRIME Centre is a hub for researchers to collaborate and to advance health care using cutting-edge technology. In 2015, a Canadian Foundation for Innovation Grant, led by Dr. Denise Pugash, catalyzed the creation of the centre’s infrastructure. Thanks to additional funding from BC Women’s Health Foundation's community of donors, the centre was able to open in July 2021. Dr. Pugash’s dedication and vision for the PRIME Centre will continue to benefit researchers and learners for years to come, and ultimately improve outcomes for pregnant people and their families. Learn more about the world-class Skidmore Goodman PRIME Centre at BCWH during our Illuminations Luncheon presented by RBC Wealth Management. Visit https://lnkd.in/gm7eW2za to get your tickets today.

For decades, families have been purchasing baby tiles to commemorate the special birth of their newborn. When parents Harry + Jasprit were expecting Baby Chanan, Harry's generous coworkers pooled together funds for a gift. After receiving incredible care at BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre by the Maternal Fetal Medicine team and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), they decided to top up those funds to purchase a baby tile. "This was our first time delivering at BC Women's and our experience was amazing. We had some medical complications but we felt supported and cared for throughout every single appointment. Prior to our baby’s birth we even met with the BC Women's NICU team and received a tour of the area our baby would be staying. The staff helped put aside a lot of our fear of having a NICU stay and prepared us for what was to come," they shared. "It was such a nice moment coming back to the hospital with our baby to see the tile on display. We had wandered the walls many times before our baby arrived, in between appointments we would read the tiles lining the halls and wondered about the stories behind them. After having a complex pregnancy and our NICU stay complete, it was nice to come back and reflect on the baby tile behind our story." - Harry + Jasprit, Grateful BC Women's Patients --- Baby tiles are a meaningful way to acknowledge the birth of your special newborn, now and into the future. Purchase a commemorative baby tile and your donation will support the health of women and newborns across the province. Order your baby tile today at https://lnkd.in/gMrETQft #BCWHF #BCWomens #babytiles #bcwomenshospital

Let's Talk About Menopause: Language Matters When discussing menopause, the right terminology is crucial. Misusing terms can lead to confusion and hinder efforts to address menopause-related issues. As the conversation around menopause grows, so does the language we use. This #MenopauseAwareness month, let's dive deeper into these important discussions and terms throughout this series highlighting a glossary of menopause terms identified by the Women's Health Research Institute. Stay tuned for the HER-BC research report by WHRI, in partnership with BCWHF and sponsored by Pacific Blue Cross, investigating the health experiences of midlife women in British Columbia. #menopauseday #menopause #midlife #womenshealth