The Power of Community

2020 has carried with it so many different, and disparate, realities. A year that started with so much promise quickly left us breathless and unsure. A global pandemic that has not only impacted our health and our health systems, but has also changed our communities, our work, and our economies.

There is light but we can’t let up.  We continue to be called upon to make necessary sacrifices to keep each other safe. And even though we are all beyond grateful for the miracle of a vaccine it will take time.

If you’re going through a tough time, I want you to know that you are not alone. If you feel lonely or isolated, please reach out to the people around you who care about you. We need to look out for each other despite being physically distanced. I deeply miss being present with friends and family – no screen time or virtual gathering can ever replace that genuine connection. This holiday season will look incredibly different as we gather virtually and not physically. That’s why it’s more important than ever to reach out to loved ones, demonstrate care, and stay connected.

If you’re a parent with young children at home, give yourself a break. I know firsthand what it means to have a little person who is relying on me for so much of his social and developmental needs and how hard and lonely that has been, while still juggling the responsibilities of work and life.

As the women we love, know, and admire are experiencing the impacts of the pandemic disproportionately – whether that’s through job losses, substantially more caretaking responsibilities, housing and food insecurity, or the devastating shadow pandemic of gender-based violence – I have been deeply moved by your generosity.  Women’s health is being impacted in immeasurable ways and your support has, and will continue to, allow us to make sure it is prioritized.  We can’t recover if women are unhealthy.

Together, we will continue to build our compassionate, resilient community of powerful women and allies, championing women’s health. We will continue to work with the BC Women’s Hospital, the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI), and our community partners who provide trauma-informed and culturally-safe care, healing, and comfort to women and families throughout BC.

Together with you, this work is made possible because of your generosity. As we navigate these days, we look forward to creating a brighter future together, one where women have equitable access to the world-class healthcare they deserve.

So how do we summarize 2020? With gratitude, innovation, and kindness. Thank you for your steadfast support as we unmask the new realities and profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women. Thank you for helping to ensure excellence in healthcare and responding swiftly to the needs of the BC Women’s Hospital, and community organizations we have partnered with and supported during this pandemic, and beyond. Thank you for inspiring generosity and collectively making a transformational impact on the health and well-being of the women in our lives. 

You, our closest friends, our advocates, champions of women’s health, helping to move the needle towards gender equity in healthcare – thank you for being part of our community. You are not alone. You are part of a powerful movement striving for excellence in women’s healthcare. We will get through this together, and thrive in the years to come.

From all of us here at the BC Women’s Health Foundation, we wish you and yours all the best during this holiday season with much health and happiness in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Genesa M. Greening
President + CEO
BC Women’s Health Foundation

STAY ENGAGED:

• Celebrate 25 years of women’s health and purchase a 25th Anniversary commemorative face mask to help ensure progress continues to be made in the pursuit of gender equity in healthcare
• Read our “Here For Her” 2020 Impact Report and learn how your donations are making an impact on women’s health
• Make a donation today to help ensure women have equitable access to the highest quality healthcare, when, where, and how they need it

BC Women’s Health Foundation is BC’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the full spectrum of women’s health. The information shared is intended to educate, inform, and point readers to credible sources. It is not intended to substitute professional medical advice.