First-Ever Luminaries Event Raises over $500,000 for Women’s Health Research, with March Officially Declared Women’s Health Research Month
On March 7th, 2025, almost 400 guests gathered at the JW Marriott in Edmonton’s downtown to attend the inaugural Luminaries Luncheon, a new fundraising and education event from the AWHF, proudly presented this year by The Scotiabank Women Initiative.
These changemakers in women’s health met to share and discuss how research is lighting the way from lab to life, and why ongoing support for research improves the daily lives of all women.
We are proud to share that the event succeeded in raising over $500,000 for women’s health research!
For this monumental effort please join us in giving thanks to our many guests, donors and sponsors such as The Scotiabank Women Initiative, Accenture, Hologic, Alberta Blue Cross, Ascend Fundraising Solutions, and UROSPOT, along with a generous individual gift of $300,000 announced by Dale Sheard, Patron and a former Board Chair of the Foundation.
Furthermore, Alberta’s provincial government officially declared March as “Women’s Health Research Month” just in time for the luncheon, with the decision arriving just one day before International Women’s Day.
The Honourable Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health, attended Luminaries and was responsible for the provincial declaration, which further affirms the Government of Alberta’s commitment to supporting the AWHF and the groundbreaking women's health research it supports through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (WCHRI) at the University of Alberta.
Click here for the PDF of the press release
Luminaries 2025 was not an event to be missed.
The lineup of speakers featured several powerful women from different industries and areas of expertise. The keynote was delivered by Joanna Griffiths, Founder and President of the innovative intimates and leakproof underwear brand Knix. Joanna has built Knix into one of the fastest growing intimate apparel brands worldwide and created one of the most successful and prolific mission-driven brands of the digital era. Award-winning broadcaster Lynda Steele emceed the event; event co-chairs and Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation Board Members Renée Sookdeo (Senior Branch Manager, Scotiabank) and Dianne Balon (Senior Vice President, Government, Alberta Blue Cross) shared a welcome address; five early and mid-career researchers from WCHRI engaged directly with guests before the main program around their individual research projects; and Dr. Jane Schulz, Dr. Colleen Norris and Dr. Padma Kaul—two of whom hold endowed research chairs—made up the event’s research panel presentation.
Click here to meet the Luminaries 2025 speakers
Luminaries also played host to the AWHF’s launch of its third, and latest, thought leadership report, with financial support from Organon Canada. Entitled, “Shining the Light: The Choices, Challenges and Considerations around Contraceptives,” this latest report draws insights from over 2,000 Albertans surveyed on the real-life challenges that individuals face in navigating contraception and urges for equitable access to contraceptives.
Click here to read the report
“Through the Luminaries Luncheon we accelerated action, and we broke down barriers,” said Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO of the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation.
“Through our latest report, we highlight the commentary by women as they give voice to contraception; what is advancing them forward, and what is holding them back," Rutherford continued. "I can’t think of better ways to commemorate International Women’s Day and Women’s Health Research Month!”
Please join us in thanking Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange, our many sponsors and donors, our partners with WCHRI, and all those who made our first Luminaries a success, and here is wishing everyone a wonderful Women’s Health Research Month!
