After being blindsided by her own experience with perimenopause while at the peak of her corporate career, Janet realized how little information, support, or medical guidance was available. She and co-founder Trish Barbato rallied top Canadian menopause experts and advocates to start changing the conversation—because no woman should have to suffer in silence.

Through landmark reports, national campaigns, and partnerships with major employers like IKEA, AMEX, and BMO, the Foundation is raising awareness of the $3.5 billion economic impact of unmanaged menopause symptoms and showing what’s possible when women are properly supported.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

The Menopause Foundation of Canada is a national non-profit advocacy organization created to raise awareness of the impact of menopause on women and society. The organization is dedicated to closing the menopause knowledge gap, improving access to menopause care and treatment, and creating menopause inclusive workplaces.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Our mission is to eliminate misinformation, social stigma and taboos associated with menopause. Too many women suffer in silence, unaware of their options or unable to access proper care. Imagine a future where this important women’s health issue is fully supported by our health care system, government, business and the broader community.

When did you start/join it?

I co-founded the Menopause Foundation of Canada in 2022 with Trish Barbato, a friend and former colleague. We brought together a medical advisory board of some of the country’s top menopause specialists and a small but mighty team of talented women to ignite a national conversation on menopause and effect real change.

What made you want to get involved?

Like many women, I was blindsided by menopause. At the height of my career as a Senior Vice President, I began experiencing symptoms I had no idea were related to the menopause transition—I hadn’t even heard the word perimenopause. I was shocked by how little I knew, and even more surprised by the lack of information and support available, including from health professionals. I realized this was a widespread and overlooked issue impacting half the population, and I wanted to take action to make a big change.

What was the situation like when you started?

The topic was largely taboo or invisible in public conversation. It was absent from workplace policies, missing from medical education, and rarely discussed in the media. Women were left to figure it out on their own.

How has it changed since?

We’re seeing real momentum. Our landmark reports, The Silence and the Stigma: Menopause in Canada and Menopause and Work in Canada, helped spark a national conversation. Our workplace report revealed the staggering $3.5 billion annual economic impact due to the unmanaged symptoms of menopause. Over 150 leading employers—including Sun Life, IKEA, AMEX and BMO—have joined our Menopause Works Here campaign to create menopause-inclusive workplaces. Women are driving advocacy by educating themselves and demanding better care. Healthcare providers are proactively seeking menopause education, and governments are starting to take notice. While the issue is finally gaining the recognition it deserves, urgent action is required.

What more needs to be done?

We need to ensure all women can access evidence-based care, including Health Canada-approved menopause hormone therapy and other treatments that help women thrive and reach their full potential. We also need to ensure that healthcare providers receive updated menopause training and that they are appropriately compensated for their time. Public health education needs to be improved, and more research on menopause-related health issues should be a priority. This is just the beginning.

How can our readers help?

Talk about menopause. Don’t trivialize the symptoms women experience or let menopause be a punchline. Support our advocacy. And ask your employer: Do we support people going through menopause? Visit our website to download free resources, become a subscriber or to make a donation.

Do you have any events coming up?

October is World Menopause Month, and we’ll be launching a Menopause Works Here™ Best Practice session featuring leading employers and the actions they’re taking to create menopause inclusive workplaces. We’ll also be hosting a free virtual Menopause Illuminated webinar with a trusted menopause expert. Follow us to learn more.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

I’d love to highlight The Period Purse — they work to achieve menstrual equity and end period poverty across Canada. Their mission complements ours by supporting dignity and health across the reproductive life cycle.

The post Charitable Choices: Janet Ko of the Menopause Foundation of Canada appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

WaterStone Foundation was established in 2014 to address a critical gap in services for individuals and families dealing with eating disorders. WaterStone’s mission is to increase access to specialized care, particularly for young people, and to support families who struggle to find the services and supports they need.

The Foundation’s beginnings are rooted in the lived experiences of two families. Both families were motivated to act because of the challenges they faced in seeking treatment for their daughters, who were diagnosed with an eating disorder. One of these families was the Duffy family. Kim and Terry Duffy spent years trying to access treatment for their daughter.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Despite the high prevalence and devastating physical and mental health impacts of eating disorders, publicly funded treatment in Canada is scarce, and private treatment is financially out of reach for most individuals and their families.

WaterStone Foundation is working to change that by raising awareness and funding real solutions for access to prompt treatment. Early treatment saves lives. That’s why we launched our Student Support Program in 2022 at post-secondary schools, which embeds eating disorder therapists on post-secondary campuses. With over 5,000+ hours of free counselling already delivered, we’re committed to expanding this life-saving initiative. Early intervention saves lives, and young people should have to wait months or reach a crisis point before getting help.

When did you start/join it?

I founded WaterStone Foundation 11 years ago because of our personal journey, which began 18 years ago with our eldest daughter. Eating disorders are life-threatening, misunderstood, and increasingly on the rise in both the young and old. They are the deadliest mental health illness, after opioid addiction, yet remain among the least funded and understood.

What made you want to get involved?

Like many families, we were desperate for help — and while we were fortunate to eventually afford private residential care in the U.S., the emotional, logistical, and financial burden was overwhelming. I founded WaterStone because I couldn’t accept that access to life-saving treatment in Canada was so limited or that only the most privileged could afford to save their child. I want other families to have the support and hope we didn’t.

What was the situation like when you started?

When we began this work, eating disorders were largely invisible in Canada’s mental health conversation. Families were on their own, navigating a fragmented system, hitting waitlists that stretched for months, and facing huge costs for private treatment. There were few treatment options outside of hospital crisis care, and almost no early intervention.

How has it changed since?

There’s been growing awareness and a shift in how eating disorders are understood and discussed, but systemic challenges remain. The COVID-19 pandemic made things worse — hospital admissions for adolescents with eating disorders rose by 60%, and demand hasn’t slowed. Waitlists are still unacceptably long, and treatment gaps persist. Progress is happening, but we’re far from where we need to be.

What more needs to be done?

This is an escalating youth mental health crisis. Eating disorders affect nearly 3 million Canadians and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness among young women —yet public investment remains shockingly low.

Through Waterstone’s Student Support Program, we were able to place therapists on four campuses — but more than 40 other post-secondary institutions still lack any specialized eating disorder support. With sustainable funding, we could expand immediately. We’re calling on governments, institutions, and private donors to help us make sure every student has access to timely, expert care. Lives depend on it.

How can our readers help?

If you know someone with an eating disorder, please let them know they are not alone and that recovery is possible. You can also direct them to programs and services that they may not be aware of here. And lastly, WaterStone is 100% donour-funded. If you are able to make a donation, you can do so here.

Do you have any events coming up?

Our 6th Garden Party took place on June 19th, 2025. We are in the early stages of planning our annual Euchre tournament, which usually takes place in the fall. If you are interested in attending or sponsoring, please check it out here.

Where can we follow you?

Readers can visit our website for more information, and we also welcome donations online.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Kim is a member of the Toronto West Chapter of 100 Women Who Care, an organization that supports local charities, so she has the opportunity to learn about many local charities.

One of her favourites is Kindred Kitchen, located in Roncesvalles United Church. It provides free meals and companionship to members of the community, providing a sense of dignity and belonging.

The post Charitable Choice: Kim Duffy of WaterStone Foundation appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

ALS Canada is working to change what it means to live with ALS. Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in the most promising research, engaging industry, supporting clinical care, and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies. We are a trusted source of information, providing resources and opportunities for knowledge exchange that empower people to make informed decisions. In Ontario, we provide direct community services to help people navigate ALS and access the support and equipment they need.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that progressively paralyzes people. This occurs because the brain can no longer communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles of the body break down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. It is a devastating and terminal disease with no cure and few treatment options. Our work aims to advance ALS research, improve quality of life, and ensure that people living with the disease are supported, informed, and not alone in facing what lies ahead.

In Ontario, our Community Leads provide direct community support throughout the province to help people navigate their experience with ALS and access the care, services, and equipment they need. Nationally, we offer virtual support groups and educational workshops for people living with ALS, caregivers, and families. We work to help people with ALS live better for as long as possible while moving the needle toward a world free of ALS.

When did you start/join it? What made you want to get involved?

I was aware of ALS, but when my cousin Doug was diagnosed in 2008, it became deeply personal. I saw firsthand how the disease affected not just the person diagnosed but my entire family. That experience motivated me to get involved, first as a board member with ALS Canada. Over time, I developed a strong connection to the community and the work, ultimately leading me to step away from private equity and management consulting to take on the CEO role in 2014.

What was the situation like when you started? How has it changed since?

I joined ALS Canada in 2014, the same year the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge captured the world’s attention. It was a pivotal moment for ALS. Awareness skyrocketed, and a wave of generosity helped shine a light on a disease that had long been underfunded and overlooked. At that time, there was growing momentum in research funding, but treatments were still incredibly limited.

Since then, we have seen meaningful progress with more clinical trials, new therapies becoming available, and a stronger, more unified voice from the ALS community advocating for change.

But there is still much work to be done. Continued investment in ALS research to better understand and treat the disease, is imperative. Access to treatments and care remains inconsistent across Canada, and people living with ALS do not have time to wait.

What more needs to be done?

We need continued and increased investment in ALS research, faster access to new treatments, and consistent, equitable support for every Canadian affected by this disease, regardless of where they live. We also need to ensure that governments understand the urgency and act accordingly. Time is not a luxury that people with ALS have, and we owe it to them to keep pushing.

How can our readers help?

You can make a difference by learning about ALS, sharing what you learn, and supporting our mission. Every action counts – whether it’s donating, participating in one of our fundraising events, or advocating for change. Together, we can push for progress and support the ALS community.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

I really appreciate the work of the health charities in Canada, they each provide such incredible support to Canadians affected by disease through supports and information, while investing in research to change the future. The Health Charities Coalition of Canada brings health charities together for information sharing, advocacy initiatives and collaborative efforts that no one organization could do on its own.

The post Charitable Choices: Tammy Moore of the ALS Society of Canada appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

We’re Stay Active Rehabilitation, a physiotherapy and rehab clinic dedicated to helping people move better, feel better, and get back to the activities they love. We offer both general and specialized physiotherapy services, including pelvic health, vestibular rehab, sports injury recovery, and more. Plus other services like Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic Care, offering holistic care to our patients.

What made you want to do this work?

I’ve always felt a strong calling to help others live healthier, pain-free lives. Coming from a family in the healthcare field, I grew up understanding the value of care, compassion, and knowledge. Physiotherapy was a perfect fit—it allows me to combine hands-on treatment, continuous learning, and meaningful connections with patients. I love that every day I get to empower people to take control of their health, while also mentoring my team and collaborating with like-minded professionals who are just as passionate about lifelong learning and patient care.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

We saw a gap in truly personalized, holistic rehabilitation care. Our goal was to create a space where patients feel heard, supported, and guided through their recovery journey—whether they’re healing from injury, managing chronic conditions, or simply striving for better mobility and strength. We aim to take the guesswork and frustration out of recovery and replace it with a clear, supportive path to wellness.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We serve a wide range of clients—from busy professionals and athletes to seniors and young adults. Our services are tailored to each individual’s needs, whether it’s recovering from surgery, managing pelvic health issues, dealing with dizziness or balance problems, or optimizing physical performance. We work with people at every stage of life.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

It’s simple: we offer physiotherapy and rehabilitation services to clients dealing with pain, injury, or movement limitations. Patients can book appointments directly with us, and many of our services are covered by extended health insurance or workplace injury claims (like WSIB). Our goal is to provide expert care that’s accessible, effective, and empowering.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

We have two convenient clinic locations in North York and Downtown Toronto, making it easy for our clients across the city to access high-quality care close to home or work.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

A great question would be: “What experience and specializations does your physiotherapist have?”

And the best answer would be: Look for a therapist who not only has strong credentials and years of experience, but also one who continues to learn and grow professionally. At Stay Active, our team is committed to ongoing education and specializes in areas like pelvic health, vestibular therapy, and sports rehabilitation. Plus, our glowing Google reviews speak for themselves—our patients trust us, and we’re proud of the results we help them achieve.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part? Watching someone walk into our clinic in pain or frustration and leave with confidence and a smile—that transformation is everything. It’s a privilege to be part of someone’s healing journey.

The toughest part? It’s a very physical job! We have to be mindful of our own well-being to avoid burnout. Balancing energy and rest is key—for our clients and for ourselves!

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

A patient once told me, after his orthopedic surgery, that his physiotherapist came in every day, encouraged him to move—even when he was groggy from meds—and he started calling them a “Physioterrorist.”
I had a good laugh because… well, sometimes we do lovingly push our patients a little out of their comfort zone for their own good!

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Come say hi, check out our tips and updates, or book a free 20-minute physiotherapy consultation or a session. We’re here to help you Stay Active!

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

One place I’ve been really loving lately is LA Fitness at Yonge & Sheppard!

As a Physiotherapist, I’ve been noticing that some of my patients have been feeling less active lately, and getting into a gym can be such a game-changer for boosting physical health and energy.

LA Fitness makes it super easy to get started — it’s welcoming, well-equipped, and full of positive vibes! I recommend it to my patients, whether they’re brand new to working out or getting back into it.

The post Homegrown Business: Alejandra Rodriguez of Stay Active Rehabilitation appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.

I am a member of the senior leadership team at Heart & Stroke: a national nonprofit organization leading the fight to beat heart disease and stroke.

We are one of Canada’s largest and most effective health charities. Since our inception, we’ve invested nearly $1.7 billion in heart disease and stroke research, making us one of the largest contributors in Canada after the federal government.

We also provide people across Canada, including people living with heart disease and stroke and their families and caregivers, with trusted health information and opportunities to connect with others who share their lived experiences.

What problem does it aim to solve?

Our mission is to beat heart disease and stroke, which takes a massive and concerted effort from coast to coast to coast.

Through these efforts, we drive life-saving medical breakthroughs and act as a catalyst to bring together the brightest minds to improve diagnosis, care and support for people living with heart disease and stroke.

Our key priorities include:

· Transforming the stroke system and care

· Improving cardiac arrest survival rates

· Preventing the surge of heart failure

· Championing lifelong care for congenital heart disease

· Closing the gaps in health inequity, including for women, Indigenous peoples and Black communities

· Fighting for healthier generations through advocacy initiatives.

When did you start/join it?

I am what they call a ‘boomerang employee’, meaning I had left at one point and then returned. I initially began working at Heart & Stroke in 2013 and spent five years overseeing our direct marketing program, while also supporting Heart & Stroke’s rebrand back in 2016.

I stepped away in 2018 to take a new national role with the 13 children’s hospital foundations across Canada. It was a role I couldn’t have refused as it gave me so many learning opportunities about everything from technology and analytics to hands-on marketing a brand work to the stakeholder experience.

I returned to Heart & Stroke in my current role in 2022 — it was an exciting opportunity to serve as both a regional leader and a member of the executive team, and it felt like the right time to return.

What made you want to get involved?

In 2011, my mother sadly passed away at the age of 60 after experiencing a very sudden and unforeseen cardiac arrest. After this happened, I spent some time reflecting on what kind of impact I could have on the healthcare system and research community to improve cardiac arrest survival rates.

I was able to join the Heart & Stroke team two years later, which felt like a fitting tribute to my late mother as well as an opportunity to join an extremely well-respected and impactful organization.

In 2015, later in my tenure with Heart & Stroke, my mother-in-law experienced a cardiac arrest while our family was on a cruise to celebrate my in-laws’ 25th wedding anniversary. At the time, we were sailing south along the Atlantic coast from New York and her only option for treatment was to evacuate the ship on a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. Sadly, she did not make it. She was only 62 and had a whole second chapter ahead of her. She had recently retired and was looking forward to spending quality time with her grandchildren and friends.

A big part of what made me want to rejoin Heart & Stroke was the launch of our women’s heart and brain health initiative (among the other important priorities we focus on). Given my family’s lived experience, this was a cause near and dear to my heart and I wanted to be part of the work to drive health equity forward.

What was the situation like when you started?

For me, I experienced a combination of feeling awestruck by the fact that I had landed a role at one of Canada’s largest and most respected health charities, while also feeling a great deal of imposter syndrome given the caliber of people who work for this organization.

How has it changed since?

I am fortunate to still be learning something new every day, and I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to be part of an organization that takes the health and well-being of people in Canada so seriously.

The pandemic was a challenging time for many charities, and Heart & Stroke had to adapt to meet the headwinds that the pandemic posed to the charitable landscape. I’m proud of how we weathered the storm. We’ve fostered so much more collaboration amongst our brilliant teams and it has made the work so much more interesting.

What more needs to be done?

The urgency to beat heart disease and stroke is growing. As Canada’s population ages and more young people are being diagnosed with these conditions, our work is more important than ever.

Many people don’t know that more than 3.5 million people across the country of all ages, ethnicities and genders are living with heart disease, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.

We are working hard to change these statistics and support from our donors and volunteers is critical to achieving that.

It’s so important for us to continually raise awareness around people’s risks for heart conditions and stroke. More funds to support this work always translate to bigger impact and better outcomes.

We’re also continuing to invest in breakthrough heart and stroke research.

Finally, we’re always in need of highly motivated volunteers to help us champion our cause, guide us with their knowledge and lived experiences, and foster new connections that help drive our mission forward.

How can our readers help?

You can visit heartandstroke.ca to learn as much as you can about our organization and the work we’re doing.

You can also consider how you can support us — or another cause close to your heart — through your time, talents or treasure. And remember: these three things are never mutually exclusive!

Do you have any events coming up?

We’ve been hosting several Facebook challenges that encourage you to get active while supporting a great cause. To learn more about them and to sign up for an upcoming challenge, please visit this page.

Heart & Stroke also has a program called Fundraise Your Way — a ‘choose your own adventure’ approach to fundraising where you can plan any kind of event that appeals to you, either something solo or with your family, friends or colleagues. We’ve seen everything from snowmobiling across a province to knitting challenges. To learn more or to host your own Fundraise Your Way, check out our website.

Where can we follow you? 

The best place to find me is on LinkedIn.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?

Oh my goodness, there are far too many here in Toronto and the GTA to mention. I’m going to break convention a bit and go with the rule of threes here:

–The Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto

–The Black North Initiative

–The South Asian Women’s Centre

The post Charitable Choices: Brady Carballo-Hambleton of Heart & Stroke Foundation appeared first on Toronto Guardian.