PS	Your feedback is welcome! Please send comments about new thinking times to foundation@wchospital.ca.

Looking for a special way to celebrate Valentine's Day this year?

A limited number of tickets are still available for the Heart Beat Ball, taking place on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel. This fun-filled evening of dinner, dancing, and silent auction along with a presentation from a world leading speaker, supports the Women's Cardiovascular Health Initiative, Canada's only cardiac prevention and rehabilitation program designed exclusively for women. The heart theme and "WEAR RED" attire make it a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day while supporting a very worthy cause.

Thanks to everyone who supported the 2008 Celebrate a Star campaign, especially those people who took the opportunity to honour someone close to them by sending in a Star dedication. All Stars we received were displayed in the Women's College Hospital lobby throughout the holiday season as a wonderful source of inspiration for staff, volunteers, physicians, patients and visitors alike.

Physiology. Biology. Sociology. It may sound like midterms all over again, but these are the very things that make men and women different. Although Canadians may think they know all about it, the results of the 2008 Women's College Hospital X-Effects Health Index show otherwise. Three of four women (73 per cent) believe they are aware of women's health issues, beyond reproductive issues. However, when asked about specific diseases and how they relate to women, the poll revealed most aren't making the grade.

The Health Index was created to better understand whether a gap exists between women's perceived and actual knowledge of health issues specific to women. The annual poll will be used to identify areas of need for education and awareness, monitor changing opinions and understanding, and ultimately help improve the health of women in Canada.

On Thursday November 6th, Women's College Hospital Foundation welcomed members of the Grenville Society to our first donor recognition event. Over 50 supporters and guests joined us at the MaRS Collaboration Centre to hear about the planned redevelopment of Women's College Hospital while enjoying refreshments and getting to know other Grenville Society members and Hospital and Foundation leaders.

On Wednesday October 29th, over 160 guests attended Women's College Hospital Foundation's Real to Reel: Facing Breast Cancer -- Living with BRCA1. The event took place at the Manulife Centre's Cineplex Odeon Varsity Cinemas, and began with a lively reception followed by a private screening of the moving new documentary In The Family which chronicles the personal journey of a young woman who tests positive for BRCA1 -- the so-called 'breast cancer gene' -- and connects with other women trying to navigate the unpredictable world of predictive genetic testing.

After the screening, audience members had the opportunity to participate in a riveting panel discussion with medical leaders from Women's College Hospital.

Women's College Hospital was recently the very grateful recipient of a $10,000 donation from The Co-operators Suggested by YOU Donation Program. WCH was one of five charities selected to receive support in 2008 through this very special program, where Co-operators employees have the opportunity to recommend charities or causes close to their hearts, that they feel should receive support.

Invited by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to participate in this year's Community Exhibits Program, the Miss Margaret Robins Archives of Women's College Hospital has developed an exhibit entitled Non Quo Sed Quo Modo - Not What We Do but How related to the history of the Women's College Hospital School of Nursing.

Women's College Hospital's Women's Health Matters website offers consumers the latest information, news and research findings on women's health, diseases and lifestyle trends.

Offering such useful features as virtual health centres to learn about a variety of medical conditions; a "Health A-Z" section with short articles on women's health topics and detailed descriptions of relevant resources; along with discussion groups and the popular monthly e-bulletin, womenshealthmatters.ca has become the Canadian source for reliable, evidence-based and current information on women's health and lifestyle issues.