News & Events

FALL 2005 NEWSLETTER

From the desk of Brenda Robertson
President
The DIVA Foundation

The 2004-2005 season has been another highly successful one for The DIVA Foundation.

We have delivered our sixth annual educational speakers series on women’s health. The series comprised five presentations and focused on prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and alternative approaches to conventional treatment for diseases affecting women.

In our local community, the National Capital Region, we have supported the S. E. Greenberg Women’s Health Centre, Harmony House, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Osteoporosis Society, to mention but a few.

In terms of our national mandate we have continued to support the Montreal chapter of DIVA and conducted an in-depth assessment as to where the next chapter will be opened. As well, we have partnered with Ovarian Cancer Canada to deliver an educational lecture to increase awareness of ovarian cancer signs, symptoms, detection, treatment, and research.

We have completed an objective, professional analysis of the Foundation vis-à-vis our not-for-profit mandate and we have worked diligently on strategic planning. This process has led us to a well-defined, three-year operational plan.

While it is premature to announce our plans in detail, I can tell you that we will undertake two major initiatives in the 2005-2008 timeframe. One, a special event, will launch the first DIVA Foundation National Awards for Achievement in women’s health and the second will be a major fundraising campaign. The administrative ground work for both of these initiatives will run concurrently. It is our hope and expectation that the award ceremony will encourage more people to get involved with the work of the Foundation and help build the “Healthy Women, Healthy World” dream.

This past year, as in all years since DIVA was founded in 1997, we are deeply indebted to our partners and sponsors. Without their support, the Foundation would not have been able to expand and develop at such a rapid pace. A complete list of our partners and sponsors is published on our website at www.divafoundation.org. Our site is currently under construction so I ask for your patience until such time as is complete. Just as we have continued to nurture the relationships we have with our current sponsors and partners, we have expanded our support base to include other individuals, organizations, and corporations that have demonstrated, over time, a serious commitment to improving the health of Canadian women.

At the Annual General Meeting in May of this year, I assumed the position of Past President. It is my pleasure to introduce to you the new Chairwoman and President, Ms. Grace V. Betts. Ms. Betts has been on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for the past four years and has led or been involved in almost every aspect of our work. Ms. Betts has a long professional and volunteer history in health and social programming, health promotion, disease prevention, and adult education. She has lived and worked in most of Canada’s provinces, in Europe, and the United States; has experience in both the private and public sectors at the local, provincial, and national levels; and she is fluent in both of Canada’s official languages. Of significance to the work of the Foundation, Ms. Betts holds the distinction of being an accredited Health Promotion Director by the renowned Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. While Ms. Betts has an outstanding track record of commitment to the health and quality of life of all Canadians, much of her energy has been focused on the health and well being of women and the prevention of domestic violence. The Board of Directors is confident that Ms. Betts will lead the Foundation with energy, commitment, and vision.

The Foundation is excited about the way ahead. Over the next few years we will concentrate on rewarding and celebrating excellence in women’s health, expand our support of organizations that make a difference in women’s health, and deliver top quality education and reward programs.

The DIVA Foundation is a not-for-profit, charitable organization and everyone involved is a volunteer. In closing, I want to express my deep appreciation to the wonderful women of DIVA. I thank each one of the DIVA Directors and our volunteers for their commitment, energy, and loyalty. I can say with confidence that, together, we are making a difference. I thank you for your actions—the results of which are tangible—and I hope you feel a great sense of accomplishment as you move The DIVA Foundation closer to its mission: extending the good-health life expectancy of women in Canada.