Nova Scotia Women Raise $4.5 Million for Health Care After Friend's Death from Cervical Cancer
A group of women in Nova Scotia founded the Orchid Women's Health Initiative after their friend Deanne Reeve died of cervical cancer in 2020. Over four years, the organization has raised approximately $4.5 million to improve women's health care infrastructure and technology in the Halifax Regional Municipality, including funding a pelvic health suite, a surgical robot, and personalized cancer testing.
After their friend Deanne Reeve died of cervical cancer in 2020, a group of women in Nova Scotia channeled their grief into action, founding the Orchid Women's Health Initiative to improve local women's health care. Formally established in 2023 by co-founders Liz Rigney and Sheri Morgan alongside other friends, the organization has raised approximately $4.5 million over four years to support medical infrastructure and technology across the Halifax Regional Municipality.
According to CTV Atlantic, nine women created the initiative, while CBC News highlights Rigney and Morgan as co-founders who started the effort with other friends without specifying an exact number. Regardless of the count, the group's fundraising efforts have already delivered significant upgrades to regional hospitals.
The initiative raised $250,000 to help open the Deanne Reeve Pelvic Health Suite at Dartmouth General Hospital, a sum that was matched by businessman Rob Steele. The suite is intended to improve access to gynecological and urological procedures. Dr. Scott Mawdsley, the site chief of surgery at Dartmouth General Hospital, met with Rigney during a trip to Vietnam as the initiative took shape.
In another major investment, the organization raised $1.9 million to support the purchase of a da Vinci Xi surgical robot for the QEII Health Sciences Centre. The robotic system is used to enhance precision in oncological, urological, and gynecological surgeries.
The group's most recent fundraising milestone came at the 2026 Orchid Gala, held on a Saturday night, which raised $1,261,196 — and counting — for the QEII Foundation. Susan Mullin, president and CEO of the QEII Foundation, oversees the organization receiving these funds. Proceeds from the 2026 gala are designated to fund comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) testing at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, advancing personalized cancer care for patients.
Through these combined efforts, the Orchid Women's Health Initiative has increased community awareness and elevated the priority of women's health care in Nova Scotia.