Communities across Canada lace up to support women’s mental health through Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women Markham

Yesterday, over 1,800 supporters laced up their running shoes to participate in the 13th annual Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women in support of Oak Valley Health’s Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH). Shoppers Drug Mart and the Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health announced this year’s event raised $461,000 to date. These funds will continue to support Women’s Wellness programs through the Gulshan & Pyarali G. Nanji Mental Health Services at the hospital.

The Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women began in 2012, and is the largest event series in Canada dedicated to women’s mental health, taking place in 18 cities across the country. Women continue to disproportionately experience impacts to 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 can’t fund 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, and 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.”

There is still time to support women’s mental health in the community. Until July 1, 2025, all donations made towards the Markham run (up to $50,000) will be matched by generous, long-time MSH supporters, The Nanji Family Foundation. Donate online at www.runforwomen.ca/Markham.