Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

Please join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone reached by the Lois Hole Hospital Women’s Society—over one million dollars raised for the Lois Hole Hospital for Women! This exceptional feat was achieved by a group of highly dedicated women and allies in a consolidated effort to advance women’s health in our community through fundraising for innovative research, technology, and patient care.

On Thursday April 11, 2024, the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation had the honour of hosting this incredible group for a celebration where guests shared their ‘one million reasons’ why they choose to support the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. Executive leadership from the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation spoke about how the group has made a direct and significant impact for the Lois Hole Hospital over the years, and past and current leaders of the Lois Hole Hospital Women’s Society shared many of their valued experiences being part of the society as well as the exciting future of the group.

The Lois Hole Hospital Women’s Society was founded in 2017 by inaugural Co-Chairs Krista Ference and Melanie Nakatsui who established the group’s mission of philanthropy. Impressively, in the society’s first two terms it raised $447,000 to support women’s health! After many years of successful leadership and many learnings, Krista and Melanie stepped back and the society welcomed Lisa Diamond as its new Chair, who did an admirable job navigating the harsh environment of the pandemic and advancing the group’s goals. Lisa herself has since joined the Board of Directors of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation and passed the torch to the society’s current Co-Chairs Vanessa Lancaster and Rhiannon Adams, who launched an exciting new term with a focus on growing their reach and funding new initiatives to support women’s health.

The ongoing generosity and dedication of this group has transformed the lives of countless women.

Funding from the $1,000,000 has made the following advancements possible over the years:

• Multiple upgrades to the da Vinci Surgical Robot, including the Firefly: Fluorescence Imaging arm and two additional Endoscopes which support treatment for certain gynecological cancers
• Acquisition of a Panda Warmer in the Lois Hole Hospital’s Labour and Delivery Unit to help keep babies warm through temperature regulation
• Creation and outfitting of a new state-of-the-art Seventh Operating Room within the Lois Hole Hospital for Women
• The "Baby N’ Me” Guided Journals for those mothers on pregnancy bedrest
• Decoration and development of the Compassion Room at the Lois Hole Hospital
• Significant support for the OBIX Perinatal Interface System which connects expectant mothers across the province with their care teams and specialists at the Lois Hole Hospital
• The acquisition of four neoBlue Blanket Systems for the Lois Hole, providing effective phototherapy for newborn jaundice

Through hosting events such as the critically important Between Us lecture series, Bid & Benefit online auctions, the Simons “Fashioning the Future” fundraiser, and much more, the society has funded not only $1,000,000 but a movement, a cause, and a shared commitment to advancing women’s health.

This group has proven that when women are actively involved in fundraising—it empowers a voice in decision making that directly impacts their own health and well-being. They help normalize conversation and bring awareness to what is truly important for women.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Lois Hole Hospital Women’s Society for the difference they have made in the lives of countless women and the impact they will continue to create moving forward.