- $1.5 million three-year donation from RBC Foundation to Women's College Hospital Foundation, supporting the Centre for Sex and Gender in Health.
- This commitment will help expand access to menopause care and hereditary cancer prevention, addressing longstanding gaps in healthcare for women.
- With RBC Foundation's support, Women's College Hospital aims to expand access to menopause care, research and innovation, reaching 10,000 people and training more than 200 primary care providers to deliver better menopause care.
TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- RBC Foundation today announced a $1.5 million donation over three years to Women's College Hospital Foundation to help advance women's health through prevention, early detection and improved access to care.
The funding will support Women's College Hospital in expanding menopause care and hereditary cancer prevention, helping address longstanding gaps in healthcare and ensuring more women and gender-diverse individuals can access the knowledge, resources and care they need to live healthier lives.
More than 10 million women in Canada are over the age of 40, and an estimated 40% will experience menopause symptoms, ranging from hot flashes and sleep disruption to anxiety, depression, cognitive changes and heart palpitations. Yet despite the significant impact menopause can have on health and quality of life, Canada has no standardized menopause curriculum for healthcare providers, leaving many without the specialized training needed to support patients through this midlife transition.
"For too long, menopause has been overlooked in healthcare, leaving too many women without the answers and support they deserve. The RBC Foundation's generous donation is helping change that," said Sandra Sualim, President and CEO, Women's College Hospital Foundation. "Transforming the future of healthcare for women takes partners who believe in what's possible and are willing to invest in making it happen. We are deeply grateful to RBC Foundation for sharing our vision and helping accelerate meaningful progress that will improve the lives of women today and for generations to come."
Heather McPherson, Women's College Hospital President and CEO emphasized, "At Women's College Hospital we are working to vastly expand access to menopause care and education and equip more primary care providers with the knowledge and tools to deliver better care. Our ambition goes beyond reaching more patients. We want to make evidence-based menopause care a routine part of healthcare, so every individual can access the support they need, when and where they need it."
The gap in women's health research and care
For decades, women's health has been under-researched, under-funded and under-served, contributing to significant gaps in medical knowledge, specialized care and preventative health services.
"Women's health has been overlooked for too long, and addressing these gaps requires more than just awareness. It requires investment in solutions that improve how women experience healthcare," said Maria Winslow, Interim CEO and SVP, Product Portfolio Management & Pricing, RBC Insurance. "Through our support of Women's College Hospital Foundation, we're helping more women access the information and care they need to make informed decisions about their health and live healthier lives longer."
Two key healthcare initiatives funded by RBC Foundation
The commitment will support Women's College Hospital's newly established Centre for Sex and Gender in Health through its Healthy Aging Through Prevention program, focusing on two key initiatives:
Menopause Empowerment Project: Expand access to trusted, evidence-based menopause education and care, with a focus on underserved populations, including breast cancer patients, Black and Indigenous communities, and gender-diverse individuals. The initiative will provide culturally adapted educational resources, community outreach and practical training for primary care providers to help improve access to menopause care.
Hereditary Cancer Prevention: Building on more than 30 years of expertise in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer research, Women's College Hospital will expand education, awareness and community outreach to help identify individuals at increased risk of developing cancer. This includes family-based cascade testing to identify relatives who may carry inherited cancer-related genetic mutations, supporting earlier intervention and informed healthcare decisions.
The $1.5 million donation is part of RBC's broader commitment to advancing the health and longevity of women by supporting organizations addressing critical gaps in research, education, and access to care across Canada. Recognizing that healthcare needs evolve throughout a woman's lifetime, RBC is committed to supporting initiatives spanning brain health, menopause care and hereditary cancer prevention.
About RBC Foundation RBC Foundation is a Canadian registered charity and Private Foundation. Solely funded by RBC and its subsidiaries, RBC Foundation provides donations exclusively from RBC and its subsidiaries' annual earnings, not from third-party or client donations.
About Women's College Hospital Foundation Since 1883, Women's College Hospital has been dedicated to advancing healthcare for women and gender-diverse individuals by inspiring communities to invest in health and scientific advances. Through the generosity of donors, corporate partners and foundations, it supports groundbreaking research, education and patient care at Women's College Hospital, helping build a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system. Learn more at womenscollegehospitalfoundation.com.
For more information, please contact:
Ema Asler, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, RBC, [email protected]
Michelle Tafler, VP, Marketing & Communications, WCHF, [email protected]
SOURCE RBC
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