Latest news with #IWKFoundation
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Calling all women: The IWK Foundation wants to hear your health stories
The IWK Foundation has launched a survey in the hopes of better understanding women's health experiences in the Maritime provinces and to address the disparity in health outcomes between men and women. The foundation is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds to support IWK Health, a major hospital in Halifax that provides care to women, youth and children from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Jennifer Gillivan, president and CEO of the foundation, said the online survey invites women ages 18 and up to share their perspectives about their overall health experiences, challenges and outcomes. It also asks questions about their health in different stages of their life. "Part of our mandate is to educate and advocate for women. And so we realized — we need to hear from women. We need women's voices," said Gillivan in an interview on Thursday. "I mean, you go out to eat with your girlfriends or your family and you start talking about experiences in health, and they don't stop talking. So we thought this is a phenomenal way to kind of collect all that data and then understand where the pressure points are." The survey is anonymous. It includes questions like: "What positively or negatively impacts your overall physical health the most?" There is also a full page dedicated to sharing in detail "the good, bad or ugly" of one's health-care story. The results, which will be reviewed by a team of researchers, will help inform where women need more support and where there are gaps in the system, said Gillivan. This could include gaps in education and awareness or access to tools and information. But most importantly, it seeks to fundamentally change how women's health is understood, prioritized and delivered in a country where women spend 25 per cent more time in poor health than men, said Gillivan. "There needs to be a real push on women's research, because research informs care. It changes everything. And we need better training for doctors on women's health," she said. Gillivan said women's health has been historically under-researched and underfunded, with just seven per cent of total national research funding allocated to it, despite women making up 50 per cent of the population. She said the findings of the report will inform the IWK's own practices and operations, but will also be shared with anyone else who wants it, including governments, health authorities and other non-profits across Canada. It will also help guide efforts to educate the wider community that women's bodies are fundamentally different than men's, and their health care needs to be prioritized and researched, she said. Maggie Archibald is a patient advocate based in Halifax who has struggled with chronic pain for 18 years due to endometriosis that was only officially diagnosed two years ago. She said she often felt dismissed by the health-care system. "You symptoms are often not believed and women often have to fight harder to get help," said Archibald. "I'm really excited to see the results and what comes out of this and hopefully we can have some real change." The foundation expects to share the results publicly on Oct. 1. Click here to take the IWK Foundation's survey. MORE TOP STORIES
CBC
03-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Calling all women: The IWK Foundation wants to hear your health stories
The IWK Foundation has launched a survey in the hopes of better understanding women's health experiences in the Maritime provinces and to address the disparity in health outcomes between men and women. The foundation is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds to support IWK Health, a major hospital in Halifax that provides care to women, youth and children from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Jennifer Gillivan, president and CEO of the foundation, said the online survey invites women ages 18 and up to share their perspectives about their overall health experiences, challenges and outcomes. It also asks questions about their health in different stages of their life. "Part of our mandate is to educate and advocate for women. And so we realized — we need to hear from women. We need women's voices," said Gillivan in an interview on Thursday. "I mean, you go out to eat with your girlfriends or your family and you start talking about experiences in health, and they don't stop talking. So we thought this is a phenomenal way to kind of collect all that data and then understand where the pressure points are." The survey is anonymous. It includes questions like: "What positively or negatively impacts your overall physical health the most?" There is also a full page dedicated to sharing in detail "the good, bad or ugly" of one's health-care story. The results, which will be reviewed by a team of researchers, will help inform where women need more support and where there are gaps in the system, said Gillivan. This could include gaps in education and awareness or access to tools and information. But most importantly, it seeks to fundamentally change how women's health is understood, prioritized and delivered in a country where women spend 25 per cent more time in poor health than men, said Gillivan. "There needs to be a real push on women's research, because research informs care. It changes everything. And we need better training for doctors on women's health," she said. Gillivan said women's health has been historically under-researched and underfunded, with just seven per cent of total national research funding allocated to it, despite women making up 50 per cent of the population. She said the findings of the report will inform the IWK's own practices and operations, but will also be shared with anyone else who wants it, including governments, health authorities and other non-profits across Canada. It will also help guide efforts to educate the wider community that women's bodies are fundamentally different than men's, and their health care needs to be prioritized and researched, she said. Maggie Archibald is a patient advocate based in Halifax who has struggled with chronic pain for 18 years due to endometriosis that was only officially diagnosed two years ago. She said she often felt dismissed by the health-care system. "You symptoms are often not believed and women often have to fight harder to get help," said Archibald. "I'm really excited to see the results and what comes out of this and hopefully we can have some real change." The foundation expects to share the results publicly on Oct. 1.
CTV News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Maritimers step up in generosity again for IWK Telethon
Watch the 41st annual IWK Telethon for Children on CTV and support Maritime children and families in need. Every year, Maritimers rally behind a cause that is close to home and touches countless lives – and that's supporting the IWK Health Centre through the IWK Telethon for Children. The telethon – broadcast live on CTV Atlantic – brings in millions each year for the IWK, which is an internationally renowned children's and women's hospital. But the hospital itself does need help, said IWK Foundation President and CEO Jennifer Gillivan, because government funding only goes so far. 'It's an old building and it needs upgrades,' said Gillivan. 'We need new technology. It keeps changing. So, we need better equipment, all the time. We have new programs and research, and it drives new ways to treat kids and patients.' Now in its 41st year, the IWK Telethon has become a powerful showing of the generosity of community, which is always there to support the cause. IWK Telethon Volunteers operate the call-in donation lines at the 41st annual IWK Telethon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic) Last year, it raised a record $7.5 million for its 40th anniversary. Even when times are tough financially for people, Gillivan said Maritimers step up in generosity. 'There's something right about a community when they know to put kids and women first,' said Gillivan. 'To actually support them in this way, there's just something right about that.' It's no small task to pull off the telethon and TV broadcast, but it's a labour of love for the roughly 400 volunteers and those working in front of the cameras, telling the stories, and those behind the cameras helping to deliver the show. IWK Telethon Former CTV Atlantic chief anchor Steve Murphy and former CTV News at Five host Jayson Baxter share a laugh during the 41st IWK Telethon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic) 'I don't think people realize how much work has gone into building the set, writing the scripts and finding those patient stories,' said CTV's Liz Rigney, who is also the lead producer of the IWK Telethon. 'There is a big team, and everyone is so happy and so proud at the end of this production.' The IWK Telethon is about raising money for the hospital but at the heart of it, it's about highlighting the patient stories and the real lives and families who have been touched by the incredible work and staff who make a difference at the IWK. 'I can't believe the level of skill, the knowledge, and the genius of the people who work at the IWK,' said Rigney. 'I don't think people understand, it's a world class facility and we're so happy to support it with the telethon.' The IWK Telethon runs until 6 p.m. Sunday. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Countdown on to 41st IWK Telethon for Children
The studio where the 41st IWK Telethon will be shot is pictured before the big show. People have been hard at work preparing for the 41st IWK Telethon for Children. 'There's a lot of late nights, a lot of early mornings, some frustrations, but at the end of the day, the feeling you get when the show wraps and we know we've done the best we could to raise money for the IWK… Wow!' said CTV Atlantic's Liz Rigney, who produces the IWK Telethon. She said it will be a weekend full of fundraising, with no shortage of entertainment. 'This year, we have a lot of really interesting content. On Saturday night, we have a tribute show, which is basically a variety show, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and a lot of wonderful local Maritime talent,' she said. The show will feature music from Heather Rankin, JRDN, DeeDee Austin, Cassie and Maggie, Irish Mythen, as well as Rankin MacInnis and the Broken Reeds. The IWK Telethon then takes place Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is the IWK Foundation's largest fundraiser of the year. 'We hear back from families all the time who have benefitted from the IWK and, specifically, the telethon throughout the years,' said Melanie Matheson, IWK Foundation Director of Development. She said the telethon is made possible through the hard work of many people who keep coming back year after year. 'I think over the weekend we'll have almost 400 volunteers that will be involved through the phone banks and various other pieces of need over the weekend, and they really are kind of the heart and soul of what we do,' said Matheson. 'We have a lot of patients that then come and volunteer as they get older or they'll attend the tribute show on Saturday night, and so it really is a family and a community that just continues to benefit from the telethon.' Funds raised go to the most urgent needs at the IWK Health Centre, which is the region's biggest children's hospital. Matheson said one piece of equipment in high demand is the CADD (continuous ambulatory delivery device) pump. 'It's something that allows children to receive care at home, so they can take this piece of equipment home with them in their community, go to school and have this pump on them so they can continue to receive their medication,' he said. Last year, the telethon raised more than $7.5 million. 'We really want to just show our gratitude that every dollar counts,' Matheson said. 'No matter how big, no matter how small, it all adds up to this this incredible support for the IWK.' The Telethon Tribute and the IWK Telethon for Children will air on CTV Atlantic. Both shows will also be available on the CTV Atlantic website and the CTV app.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY: IWK Foundation to receive six-figure grant from Hyundai Auto Canada
HALIFAX, NS, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, the Hyundai Hope vehicle will make a special stop at IWK Health, hosting Hyundai Hope on Wheels' fourth Handprint Ceremony of the non-profit's inaugural year in Canada to announce a $250,000 donation in support of paediatric cancer care. As one of two paediatric tertiary hospitals in Atlantic Canada and in the Maritime provinces, nearly all paediatric patients with cancer undergo diagnosis and initial treatment at IWK Health. Each year at IWK Health, there are on average 3,500 clinic visits, approximately 500 hospital admissions and 340 childhood cancer survivors are followed in its long-term follow-up clinic. Members of the media are invited to attend an event where Hyundai Canada leadership, IWK representatives and patient ambassadors will share more details on the initiative and its impact. WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2025 TIME: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – WHERE: Richard B. Goldbloom Research Pavillion, IWK Health, 5980 University Ave, Halifax NS WHY ATTEND? Live cheque presentation of a $250,000 donation to IWK Health Powerful visuals and stories of hope, impact and community commitment Access to IWK leadership, patient ambassadors and Hyundai Canada executives SPEAKING REMARKS AND ON-SITE INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: IWK Foundation and hospital leadership Jennifer Gillivan, president and CEO of the IWK Foundation Dr. Victoria Price, pediatric hematologist/oncologist and division head, pediatric hematology/oncology, IWK Health Hyundai Canada leadership Jessica Todd, director of sales Michael MacGillivray, CEO, Century Hyundai PHOTO/ VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES: Donation ceremony with cheque presentation with representatives from Hyundai Canada, IWK Health and IWK Foundation Hyundai Hope on Wheels Canada Handprint Ceremony featuring patient ambassadors and families SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: 9:45 AM – 10:00 AM | Media Arrivals and Check-In 10:00 AM - 10:17 AM | Press Conference 10:20 AM - 10:30 AM | Handprint Ceremony 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM | Media Interviews 10:45 AM | Event Wrap-Up MEDIA CONTACTS: Brad Ross, Hyundai Canada; (416) 524-9904 / [email protected] Mohga Hassib, Hyundai Canada; (416) 434-9833 / [email protected]
