Run supports women’s mental health
More than 1,800 participants laced up on May 26 for the 13th annual Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, raising an impressive $461,000 (and counting) in support of Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH). These funds will continue to support Women’s Wellness programs through the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Mental Health Services at the hospital.
Founded in 2012, the Run for Women is Canada’s largest event series dedicated to women’s mental health, with races held in 18 cities nationwide. Women continue to disproportionately experience impacts on their mental health. MSH Foundation and Shoppers Drug Mart aim to help by bringing communities together to support women on their mental health journey.
“The mental health services at MSH were my refuge when I desperately needed one,” says Suzanne Crone, grateful MSH patient and event guest speaker. “I felt like a new person — something big had shifted inside me. The team saved my life.”
Government funding alone can’t cover all of MSH’s top-priority needs. Dynamic partnerships, coupled with community investment, enable the hospital to develop specialized programs to meet the needs of our growing, aging, and diverse community.
“Funds raised directly benefit patients by enabling our expert team of mental health care providers to deliver and grow programs that offer women the unique support they need,” says Suzette Strong, CEO, MSH Foundation. “Thank you, Shoppers Drug Mart, for championing women’s mental health in our community and raising over $2 million for the hospital to date.”
The hospital’s Women’s Wellness Program facilitates more than 1,200 patient visits a year. It offers a variety of services, which include Art Therapy Group, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Group, Interpersonal Psychotherapy Group, and a support group for women who have been identified with, or are at risk of, postpartum depression. These programs are open to all existing patients of Oak Valley Health through referral.
“Every year the need for mental health services is growing,” says Teresa Givelas, Patient Care Manager, Outpatient Mental Health, Oak Valley Health. “The Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women, and all who make this event possible, are helping us change the landscape of mental health care for the women in our community, throughout every stage of their lives. Our teams rely on donor support to continue to provide exceptional mental health care and access to programs dedicated to women’s wellness.”
Donations are still being accepted. Until July 1, 2025, all gifts made toward the Markham run (up to $50,000) will be matched by The Nanji Family Foundation. To contribute, visit runforwomen.ca.