BC Women's Health Foundation

BC Women's Health Foundation Join us in transforming lives.

Championing life-changing care for women + newborns in BC through our proud support of BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre and the Women’s Health Research Institute.

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Canadians and women are even more likely to experience depression.That’s why BC Women’s He...
04/09/2026

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Canadians and women are even more likely to experience depression.

That’s why BC Women’s Health Foundation helps fund critical mental health supports at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, across more than 60 programs and clinics.

When you sign up and fundraise for this year’s Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, you’re helping ensure more women can access the mental health care they need, when they need it most.

“I had been in counselling leading up to my worst years dealing with endometriosis, but because of being self-employed, my not being able to work or predict my income meant that kind of mental health support was one of the first things to be cut from my budget when it was needed most. Going through the program at the Centre for Pelvic Pain + Endometriosis at BC Women's gave me access to counselling when I had to make the most important decision of my life, to date, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that support." - Kitt, Grateful Patient

Visit https://bcwomensfoundation.org/event/run-for-women/ for more details.

04/08/2026

Thank you Gillian Segal and The Cross for supporting women’s and newborn health.

Elevating the conversation about women’s health helps advance research, improve care, and create meaningful change for women and newborns across our province.

Gillian generously offered her time and vision to transform our office boardroom into a space where stories can be shared openly, voices are heard, and bold ideas for women’s health can move forward. We’re equally grateful to The Cross for providing the furniture that brings comfort, beauty, and intention to the room.

Thank you Gillian Segal, The Cross and our valued suppliers for giving back in a way that will support women’s health conversations for years to come.

Thank you to our incredible community for supporting BC Women's Health Foundation during Women’s Health Research Month t...
04/02/2026

Thank you to our incredible community for supporting BC Women's Health Foundation during Women’s Health Research Month this past March.

Three years ago, Women’s Health Research Month was just an idea. Today, thanks to our generous donor community, it’s a growing movement that is now officially recognized by the Province of British Columbia.

At our kick-off Illuminations Luncheon, more than $650,000 was raised in one afternoon, and throughout the month of March, donors continued to support women’s health research with donations we are directing to key areas specific to BC: menopause and midlife, endometriosis and pelvic pain, and women’s mental health.

Through bold philanthropic action, we can close the gap in women’s health.

To find out more about the research you’re helping make possible, please visit bcwomensfoundation.org/whrm

03/31/2026

In our interview series Changing the Conversation on Women’s Health, Laura Jones, President + CEO of the Business Council, shares a powerful reminder:
“Put your own oxygen mask on first.”

For women, so often caregivers, leaders, and the backbone of families and workplaces, prioritizing their own health can feel secondary. But it shouldn’t be.
When women have access to research-informed care, they are better able to lead, support their families, and contribute fully to their communities and the economy.
Prioritizing women’s health isn’t indulgent. It’s essential.

This Women’s Health Research Month, we’re highlighting leaders who understand that investing in women’s health research strengthens everyone.

Last week, our team joined partners from across Canada for the Women’s Health Collective Canada Vitally Important: Natio...
03/31/2026

Last week, our team joined partners from across Canada for the Women’s Health Collective Canada Vitally Important: National Women’s Health Summit.

Over two inspiring days, leaders, researchers, advocates, and changemakers came together with a shared goal: advancing a healthier future for women in Canada. From critical conversations on research and care, to bold ideas for system-level change, the energy in the room was undeniable.

With many of the country’s leading advancements in women’s health driven by research here in BC, we are helping lead this work from the west. Our President + CEO, Cally Wesson, joined the conversation alongside leading experts including Dr. Lori Brotto, Dr. Gina Ogilvie, and Dr. Paul Yong, who are advancing critical research and shaping the future of women’s health.

The momentum is building. And together, we’re ready to turn it into action.

The Honourable Senator Danièle Henkel spoke to the urgent need to advance women’s health across the country at the Women...
03/27/2026

The Honourable Senator Danièle Henkel spoke to the urgent need to advance women’s health across the country at the Women’s Health Collective Canada Vitally Important: National Women’s Health Summit.

The gaps in women’s health are well known but accountability has been missing. Today, no one entity is responsible for advancing women’s health across Canada. Bill S-243 aims to change that, proposing a National Framework for Women’s Health to drive greater coordination, accountability, and progress for women nationwide.

Here in BC, we are already seeing what’s possible. Leading from the west, experts like Dr. Gina Ogilvie are advancing cervical cancer research and prevention, demonstrating the kind of impact that’s possible when women’s health is prioritized.

We stand alongside partners across Canada in advancing meaningful, system-level change. Learn more about how philanthropy is helping advance women’s health and how you can make a difference: bcwomensfoundation.org

03/27/2026

Why do you support women’s health research?

We asked, and the answers were powerful. Women’s health has been underfunded and under-researched for too long but together, we can change that.

Donate to impact change in women’s health. Every dollar helps drive advancements that will improve care, treatment, and outcomes for women across the province.

Every donation makes a difference. Donate now at bcwomensfoundation.org/donate-now

03/25/2026

In our interview series Changing the Conversation on Women’s Health, Marcia Tsang, mom of two, shares why this work is deeply personal.

After losing a close friend to cervical cancer, Marcia became a strong advocate for the research that is transforming screening and creating better outcomes for others.
Today, advances driven by research are making cervical cancer testing more accessible and more effective which helps detect disease earlier and protect more families.
Because when we invest in women’s health research, we don’t just change data.
We change futures.

03/24/2026

When research identifies a need, philanthropy is what moves it forward, and everyone feels the impact. At BC Women's Health Foundation, we invest in research because it transforms care. Care women can feel, access, and rely on at every life stage.

Watch how research led to eSense — an innovative digital tool expanding access to trusted sexual health information for women.

This Women’s Health Research Month, you can help close the gap in women’s health. Donate today: bcwomensfoundation.org/donate-now

03/23/2026

"Supporting women's health is critical because women are at the core of our society, our families, and our communities."

For Women’s Health Research Month, we’re changing the conversation on women’s health.

Jean-Pierre LeBlanc, Founder of The Alchemy Network and Co-Founder of Saje Natural Wellness, shares how the women in his life inspire him and how seeing his daughter start her own family has deepened his appreciation for the systems that support women’s health.

When women are healthy, families are stronger.
When families are supported, communities thrive.
And when we invest in research, we build a future where every woman has access to the care she deserves.

03/23/2026

British Columbia is leading the way in women’s health research.

At the Women’s Health Research Institute, world-class researchers are advancing knowledge across critical areas of women’s health, from endometriosis and menopause to perinatal and infectious disease research.

We were excited to join WHRI in welcoming Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, and Member of Parliament Fares Al Soud for a tour showcasing this leading-edge work in action.

The support of BC Women’s Health Foundation helps fund crucial research, fueling discoveries that continue to improve care here in BC and nationally. Research backed by philanthropy allows institutes like WHRI to continue to advocate for health and research policies that support women, families, and communities across Canada.

Women's health researchers and leaders featured:
Dr. Paul Yong
Research Director + Gynaecologist, BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain + Endometriosis

Dr. Kerstin Gustafson
Medical Director, BC Women's Complex Menopause Clinic

Dr. Jeffrey Wong
Clinical Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Dr. Elisabeth McClymont
Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Dr. Gillian Hanley
Associate Professor + Associate Co-Head, Research, UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Dr. Yasser Sabr
PRIME Lead, Skidmore Goodman PRIME Centre

Cally Wesson
President + CEO, BC Women's Health Foundation

Amy Booth
Research Project Manager, Global Control of HPV Related Diseases + Cancer Research Team

Dr. Brittany Bingham
Founder + Principal Investigator, Indigenous Equity Lab

Dr. Laura Schummers
Assistant Professor, UBC Collaboration for Outcomes Research + Evaluations, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Dr. Michelle Wong
Senior Director of Research, UBC Faculty of Medicine

Currently, only 7% of national health research funding is directed to women’s health research. Prioritizing women’s heal...
03/23/2026

Currently, only 7% of national health research funding is directed to women’s health research. Prioritizing women’s health research can lead to improved care for women at every life stage.

“Through philanthropy, we could transform women’s health from an afterthought to a scientific and clinical priority.”
- Dr. Lori Brotto, Former Executive Director, Women’s Health Research Institute

Thanks to the generous donor community that supports BC Women’s Health Foundation, we’ve already seen what can be done:

• Cervical cancer self-screening program
• Free universal contraception in BC
• BC’s largest menopause study

March is Women’s Health Research Month. With your support for BC Women’s Health Foundation, we can close the gap in women’s health. You have the power to drive change. Learn more: bcwomensfoundation.org/whrm

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D310-4500 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
V6H3N1

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+16048752270

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