London, Ont. - Shoppers Drug Mart has donated $500,000 towards enhanced patient care, health and well-being for women through the Women's Care Program at London Health Sciences Centre to enhance urogynecology care for women across the region.
Urogynecologic disorders are very common. It is estimated up to 20 per cent of females experience some incontinence, while prolapse (one of the main reasons for a hysterectomy) may occur in as many as 50 per cent of women who have had children. Having a urogynecologic disorder like stress urinary incontinence (the unintentional loss of urine) or pelvic organ prolapse (when an organ drops from its normal position) seriously affects a woman's quality of life. She may feel discomfort, embarrassment and a fear of taking part in work, social and leisure activities, bringing about significant unwelcome changes within her life.
"We know that when women are healthy, their families - and their communities - are healthy. That's why the Shoppers Drug Mart WOMEN program is so proud to support with the Women's Care Program at London Health Sciences Centre," says Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist/Owner Beth Li in announcing the gift.
The new funding will help increase the overall health and well-being for women through the development of a comprehensive Continence Care Program, including a community outreach and education initiative to create awareness of the Continence Care Program and to enable women in London, Southwestern Ontario and beyond to access important and helpful medical advice on the subject. Funding will also support a Urogynecology Fellowship in Non-Operative Continence Care to assist in clinical-care pathway development, and the creation of an early assessment clinic.
"Through this partnership, we will help women in London and right across Canada who need access to enhanced urogynecologic education and care, so that they no longer have to suffer in silence," says Li.
"We can't thank Shoppers Drug Mart enough for funding of this important Women's Care initiative and the especially their pharmacists for the commitment to work in our community and help make the education effort a success," says LHSC Chief Clinical Officer, Laurie Gould.
London Health Sciences Foundation President John MacFarlane notes that this donation is just part of the outstanding support that Shoppers Drug Mart has provided to London hospitals over the years and which has included sponsoring LHSF fundraising events like the Country Classic Auction, helping sell Dream Lottery tickets since 2006 and providing the gift baskets of essentials for the New Year Baby and mother at LHSC since 2012.
"Shoppers Drug Mart and their pharmacist/owners continue to make wonderful commitments to our community and to our hospital," says MacFarlane. "This donation is just one of the ways which they have supported our foundation and helped us meet the needs of London Health Sciences Centre and its patients."