A long time ago, before I had my own babies, I was a social worker at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. I worked as part of an interdisciplinary team to support our patients’ physical, emotional, and social well being. I know firsthand the amazing work that happens in this hospital on behalf of the women of British Columbia.
And then I got pregnant with my first baby and discovered I had gestational diabetes. I became a patient myself, accessing world class resources at the Diabetes in Pregnancy Service right there in the hospital. I met regularly with my health care team including a dietician, a nurse educator, and an endocrinologist who worked with me to make sure I had all the information and resources I needed to manage my diabetes and deliver a healthy baby girl. And it worked! Hello, Tee!
Another example of the amazing work that happens here at BC Women’s is the Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a chronic and debilitating condition in which the uterine lining tissue grows outside the uterus, causing intense pain, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and in many cases, infertility. Endometriosis impacts a staggering one in ten women, and most women with endometriosis suffer for years before they get help.
Brittany was one of those women. She lived with chronic pain for over a decade, going from doctor to doctor hoping for some relief. It wasn’t until she came to BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis that she finally felt heard and cared for. “The first thing that struck me was how wonderful the clinic team is. I wasn’t treated like just another patient through the door,” says Brittany. “Coming to BC Women’s was such a breath of fresh air.”
At BC Women’s, Brittany worked with a team of health care professionals. She received hormone therapy and pain management strategies instead of the typical surgical intervention, which meant she was able to go home and get back to her life quicker. “I left feeling better equipped to deal with my endometriosis, as I was able to take away invaluable strategies to deal with pain,” she says. “It’s not just being treated as a patient, but as a person. It’s one of the biggest blessings that someone could ask for.”
The BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis is partially funded by Shoppers Drug Mart’s Growing Women’s Health Program, and Brittany is just one of the many women who have been helped by this valuable program. Actually, Shoppers Drug Mart’s Growing Women’s Health Program supports many programs and women at BC Women’s Hospital. The Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis clinic is just one of them.
Growing Women’s Health
This month, Shoppers Drug Mart kicked off its 16th annual SHOPPERS LOVE. YOU. Growing Women’s Health campaign to raise money for women’s health organizations across Canada. During the course of the campaign, local Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be accepting donations with the goal of raising $3.6 million to help fund local women’s health charities. Each store has partnered with a charity in their local community to support. Here in Vancouver, many of our local stores have designated BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre as their charity of choice, and I can’t think of a better place.
Wherever you live, 100% of your donations stay in your community. Over the last year, Growing Women’s Health has supported more than 500 local women’s health charities in cities and towns right across Canada. Thanks to the generosity of Canadians like you and me, this campaign has raised close to $32.3 million dollars in donations over the past 15 years. That’s an astounding legacy of help and support for women all across our country!
Together we can make a difference! I hope you’ll consider making a donation next time you’re at Shoppers Drug Mart. You can buy a leaf for a loonie, a butterfly for $5, an apple for $10, or a bird for $50 to place on the Growing Women’s Health Tree in store.
Win a Beauty Prize Pack
We’d love your help spreading the word about this important campaign! In thanks, we have a Shoppers Drug Mart beauty prize pack worth $285 to give away to one of you. Here’s everything you’ll find in this amazing beauty-themed prize!
- Quo Cosmetic Bag ($25.99)
- Quo Lip Cocktail in Martini ($12.00)
- Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster ($32.00)
- Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose in It ($18.00)
- NIA24 Skin Strengthening Complex ($102.00)
- Joe Fresh Eye Shadow Trio in Modern Smokey Eye ($10.00)
- Life Brand Gentle Cleansing Skin Relief Body Wash ($7.99)
- essence 2 in 1 Eye Shadow & Liner in Peach Perfect ($4.99)
- Quo Colour Overload Lip Gloss in Lucky You! ($12.00)
- Quo Double Agent Brow Lifter and Eye Brightener ($12.00)
- essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in 180 Dress Call ($14.99)
- Joe Fresh Primer ($14.00)
- Quo Make-Up Setting Spray ($19.00)
Whew! Enter to win this fabulous prize in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, 18+. All the winner’s entries will be verified.
Click here to check out my other open giveaways and be sure to like me on Facebook!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored conversation in collaboration with the Shoppers Drug Mart Growing Women’s Health campaign. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own. Your experience may differ.
My daughter has big problems with endometriosis. It’s a horrible disease!
All the women in my family, including myself have had womens cancers. You can’t get away from it.
My mother-in-law’s sister had (and survived) breast cancer twice, and my mum had thyroid gland problems since she was 30. I just feel that our lifestyle and food we eat affect our hormones so much now, that I’m afraid women will only have more health issues than previous generations. That’s why this is such an important cause.
I was impacted by a very frightening and painful experience with endometriosis.It was operated on and removed but somehow returned and caused me such excrutiating pain I could not walk. They operated the second time and miraculously got it all and I have not been troubled by it again. #ShoppersLoveYou 🙂
Thankfully no!
I know a few women who have had breast cancer
Yes, there have been a number of women in my family affected by “female cancers”
My mom once had lymphoma, she recovered
I am very lucky to say that I do not know anyone who has dealt with woman specific health issues.
Yes my Mom has survived cancer.
I have had issues myself and so have those close to me. Breast cancer, pms, horomone issues, miscarriages and infertility are among those issues.
My mother passed away from ovarian cancer.
I was diagnosed with cysts, but very glad it isn’t breast cancer.
A friend of the family had breast cancer & had a mastectomy. It’s so important to support women’s health issues in our communities!
I had a portion of my cervix removed as a young woman
Pre cancerous cells
I am waiting for a core biopsy right now, after having my 2nd mamagram that showed something
As a woman, women’s issues concern me! My own family has faced multiple women’s health issues; but as a woman, I am have concern about women’s health in general!
Yes, I know a number of women who have been impacted by women’s health issues. However, I don’t feel comfortable sharing their stories because they aren’t my stories to tell. These campaigns are great though.
05
I had my breast tissue biopsied, luckily it was benign. I’m only 35 years old… everyone I know knows someone who has had or have breast cancer ?
I have a sister that is a breast cancer survivor, so we are very concerned for the next generation
I have a friend with ibs.
I definitely have close friends with female health issues 🙁
My dear friend has fought breast cancer and won! She is amazing and has been incredible strong and positive. Important to talk about women’s health issues and I love when companies support these causes too.
Yes, two close friends of mine had breast cancer.
have a good friend who suffered infertility.
I used to have super exhausting and heavy periods….
both my mother and grandmother have had breast cancer.
Yes, I did in my early 20s (cervical cancer) and my mom died of cancer when she was 47.
I have two friends that suffer from osteoporosis. It really brings it home to you that this can be a damaging disease.
Child birth affects us all, I found I needed a lot of help after each child.
Amazing way to spread the news !