IWK Foundation

10/14/2026

Missed last week's episode? Catch up on The Fifth Wave, Season Three at iwkfoundation.org/thefifthwave

Between 35% and 80% of women who experience intimate partner violence also experience symptoms of a brain injury.

But the vast majority of them never receive care.

This week on The Fifth Wave, we’re taking a look at two serious risks that disproportionately affect women’s brain health: intimate partner violence and Alzheimer’s.

Listen to Season 3, Episode 3: The Hidden Injury today at iwkfoundation.org/thefifthwave or wherever you get your podcasts.

Content Warning: This episode deals with themes of intimate partner violence, which may be distressing to some audiences. If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence and needs resources, visit https://women.novascotia.ca/gender-based-violence-resources or call 211.

10/13/2026

When Stephanie and Ashten’s newborn son, Beckett, was born with severely low blood sugar, they thought he could have diabetes because there was a family history. But after his care team in New Brunswick ruled out diabetes and other potential medical issues and couldn’t determine an official diagnosis, they realized Beckett needed the specialized care of the IWK.

In November 2022, Beckett was transferred and admitted to the IWK. After genetic testing, Beckett was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder called Glycogen Storage Disease type 1a (GSD1a). People with GSD1a lack the enzyme needed to turn glycogen (the stored form of glucose) into glucose (sugar in your blood) in the liver. As a result, it can cause low blood sugar, liver inflammation, muscle pain, fatigue, and easy bruising.

There is no cure for GSD1a. To manage his lifelong condition, Beckett must take an uncooked cornstarch mixture every 2-3 hours during the day and a long-acting starch before bed.

Now, with treatment, Beckett is doing great. He's an energetic 4-year-old who loves sports, superheroes and being silly!

Learn more about Beckett's story by visiting iwkfoundation.org/meet-our-heroes/beckett

10/12/2026

Giving Thanks for Danny’s Cove

For families facing illness and uncertainty, and for the staff who care for them every day, having a place to step away, take a breath, and reflect can make all the difference.

Thanks to the generosity of Mary O’Regan, the IWK will soon be home to Danny’s Cove — a welcoming retreat located between the new Emergency Department and the rest of the IWK, designed to offer comfort, calm, and a quiet refuge for families and staff throughout the day.

Created in memory of her son Danny, who passed away as an infant, the space reflects a family’s commitment to caring for others. We were honoured to welcome Mary, her children, and grandchildren to the future site of Danny’s Cove ahead of Thanksgiving weekend for a heartfelt celebration of family, gratitude, and generosity.

Thank you for sharing Danny’s memory in such a meaningful way and for helping create a space that will have a lasting impact on families and staff for years to come.

“I'm just so proud to call her my grandmother. She's experienced something so unimaginably tragic (my uncle Danny’s passing) but has still found a way to celebrate life and gratitude throughout all of her hardship. She's someone who is so deeply grounded in her value for family and generosity, that it's hard not to be inspired by her. My grandmother’s decision to give back speaks to the kind of person she is — someone who turns grief into gratitude and always finds ways to celebrate her family and community.

“She's always shown herself to be someone who loves to give back to others, and I think we can all learn something from her inspirational level of generosity." Liam, Mary’s grandson

10/11/2026

Making a gift of stocks is about more than a tax break.

It's about helping families like Levi's when the unimaginable happens. It's about helping to ensure the IWK can provide the best possible care at the most critical of times. It's about making a difference for Maritime patients when they need it most.

This Thanksgiving season, consider making a gift of stocks and securities to the IWK Foundation. Learn more at iwkfoundation.com/stocks

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day and it's no secret that young people are facing pressures and stress like never before.

With 1 in 4 Canadian youth affected by mental health or substance use challenges, demand for mental health and addictions services continues to grow.

At Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia, youth aged 12 to 25 years can access free, one-stop, rapid access to mental health care, addiction support, primary care, vocational services, housing support services, and more. Led by the IWK in partnership with local community organizations, sites connect youth with the right support, at the right time, closer to home.

This World Mental Health Day, learn more about Anchor Youth Space Nova Scotia and the incredible impact they are having on youth in the Maritimes and other incredible stories by reading the 2025-2026 IWK Foundation Impact Report.

Discover the impact your donations make. Visit https://bit.ly/AYS-IWK

10/09/2026

Celebrate the spooky season by supporting the IWK! 🎃

If you're shopping for Halloween decorations, costumes, or spooky accessories, be sure to visit Spirit Halloween on Dresden Row (above Pete's).

From now until October 31, you can support the IWK by purchasing a Spirit of Children star or bracelet during your visit. Every donation helps make a difference for patients and families receiving care from the IWK.

Help Maritime families this October. Visit Spirit Halloween for more details. 👻

10/09/2026

Be the light families can count on. 🌟

IWK Beacon Monthly Donors are there for Maritime families month after month, providing consistent support to help ensure the IWK can respond quickly when urgent needs arise.

Your support can be the light in someone's darkest moment. Start your monthly gift now: iwkfoundation.org/monthly

10/08/2026

We wish to extend a heartful thank you to Sobeys, Lawtons, Needs, Foodland & Co-ops, Fresh Co., and their generous customers for helping to make this year's Family of Support campaign a success! 💜

Since 2020, more than $21 million has been raised for local mental health programs at children's hospitals across Canada. These donations make a difference for IWK patients who rely on youth mental health programs across the Maritimes like Jenna did!

We are incredibly grateful to Empire and everyone who donated at the cash. Together, we are making a difference for youth mental health.

10/08/2026

Women's health cannot wait.

Follow WHEN - Women's Health Equity Now, a new page from the IWK Foundation dedicated to women's health.

Women's health is a national priority with implications for equity, innovation and Canada's economic future.

Today, our Canada Strong for Women's Health delegation met with the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality, to discuss the opportunity to advance women's health through coordinated national investment.

Canada has exceptional expertise in women's health research, technology and innovation. What's needed is the infrastructure to connect these strengths, accelerate progress and translate discoveries into better health outcomes and economic opportunities.

This is about building a stronger, more equitable and more competitive Canada.

Because investing in women's health means investing in Canada's future.

10/08/2026

In September, the IWK Foundation accompanied Air Canada Foundation Program Manager, Annabelle, at IWK Health for a tour of the Air Canada funded Therapeutic Play Space and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The IWK Foundation is grateful for the support of partners like Air Canada, who help ensure Maritime patients receive the care they need, when and where they need it.

The Air Canada Foundation's Hospital Transportation Program provides air transportation for patients at children's hospitals across Canada who need to travel for medical care not offered in their community. We're proud to celebrate the difference this program makes.

Until October 11, Aeroplan and its matching partners, including TD, CIBC, American Express, Hertz, and Dollar & Thrifty, will match all Aeroplan points donated to the Hospital Transportation Program - up to 10 million points each!

Points donated will go directly to 15 children's hospitals nationwide, including the IWK, to help patients get access to the care they need.