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)
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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.
Years ago I had a problem with endometriosis… it was painful and caused issues with getting pregnant!
I have been affected by chronic pelvic pain and one of my daughters is going through it as well. I am going to look for a centre in Ontario that is similar to the Women’s Centre in B.C.
My mom passed away from cancer 5 years ago so these charities are close to my heart!
I love campaigns and support opportunities such as this! i do not know anyone suffering from chronic pelvic pain or endometriosis but my mom did have a problem with her uterus many years ago cause the effects of menopause to hit her far earlier in her womanhood than most. I forget what it was called but she was in her late 30’s early 40th when she had to get surgery
I have health issues, and so do my two cousins. It’s important to get the word out about women’s health issues.
Yes, I have suffer from woman’s health issue!
I have AS…
I am very cautious as I had an odd pap result years ago. I am very careful because we have cancer running through all the women in the family history
Yes I have had and since I’ve had several relatives die from cancer I am especially careful where lumps, moles etc are concerned and go to my GP for regular check-ups.
There are so many women in my life who have been affected by women’s health issues. I love that the world is becoming more open to talking about these issues and helping women feel like they are not alone.
I have a good friend who suffered with endometriosis and infertility.
My friend has been affected by breast cancer.
I know a lot of women with health issues, including myself. I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Psoriasis.
I have not had anyone close to me impacted by women’s health issues.
I have had breast cancer so I know first hand the importance of supporting women’s health issues.
Yes,i was at 26 having a complete hysterectomy and i know many who have been impacted by a women’s health issue
I have suffered with women problems my whole life, I even had a hysterectomy when I was 26 and my daughter just had a 27lb tumor and her left ovary removed
I have had quite a few gynie issues over the years!
My sister died from breast cancer.
Yes I have, and it has caused many issues. I was put into surgical menopause in my mid 30’s to help me deal with it. So definitely something I am well familiar with 🙁 I would support this campaign for sure.
I know a few woman who have suffered through woman’s health issues stemming from Breast Cancer to Cervial Cancer. I just hope that we have doctors that understand and can relate.
I know a few women who have endometriosis, and quite a few of my family members had cancer.
I have health issues and my best friend passed away from breast cancer and I have a few that survived it.
I struggled to get pregnant. It took me five years and quite a few procedures. Basal body temperature, an laparoscopy & dye insufflation to test for endometriosis, a hysterosalpingogram. Nothing wrong with me. It turned out my then-husband had low sperm motility; he was given a prescription (I can’t remember the name, it was 27 years ago), and voila, I became pregnant. However, when I tried for a second child, the drugs didn’t work. So I’m a mother of one.
I am very happy that Shoppers is committed to donating money to Women’s heath charities which are so important.
My mother died from cancer of the cervix.
I went through cervical cancer, recieved treatment and am now cancer free.
Yes I have, I have had Endometriosis for quick a few years now.
I just had a close cousin pass from cervical cancer
I suffered from endometriosis for years before I finally had to have a hysterectomy at 30 to alleviate the pain. I was lucky to still be able to have children as many women with it are unable to. Just because only women can suffer from it doesn’t mean it’s not important, which is how I felt most of the doctors I seen felt.
My mom suffered from uterine fibroids for years and had a hysterectomy in her mid-forties.
Yes, Our family and friends have been impacted with womens’ health issues
My sister had cancer twice (Lymphoma and breast cancer).
My mum lived with breast cancer for nearly 30 years, so our whole family has been impacted.
We have not had any problems in our family, but a friend has endometriosis.
Yes my sister had cervical cancer so I’m quite diligent about paps.
I have had crazy hormones. We have been married 38yrs and never used birth control. We were blessed 3x our children are 35,30 and 15. LOL Then I had breast cancer which is hormone related. I found it 5 months after a mamo. So please check yourself.
Both my mom and mom-in-law have had illnesses in the past.
I have major health issues that include clots developing in my arteries. Since it is a hereditary condition, there are no lifestyle changes that will prevent them and medications are not always effective. I had to leave a full time job I loved and now work at home as a freelance writer.
I suffered from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy which I almost died. I’m also a quadriplegic which comes with a whole host of problems female and more.
I have an issue myself, and I know a few other people who have one too
My a couple of my aunts had breast cancer.
yes a few friends have woman problems
My closest friend suffered for years with endometriosis and infertility. It was followed by decades of serious health issues.
I have know women who had hysterectomies… breast cancer… ovarian cancer… mastectomy… the list goes on!
My Mom and sister have uterine fibroids. My mother had to have a hysterectomy.
I had a friend with endrometriosis, she struggled with it for fertility reasons and it was awful!
Our family has been lucky so far thankfully.
Yes – My niece and my neighbour and friend both had breast cancer/masectomies
I have a good friend who suffered with endometriosis