As the cost of living continues to rise, access to basic health essentials is becoming increasingly out of reach for many people across British Columbia. That includes menstrual products.

Pacific Blue Cross is returning as presenting sponsor of the Period Promise campaign, led by United Way British Columbia and presented in partnership with CUPE Local 1816, now underway through May 30. As part of this year’s campaign, Pacific Blue Cross is matching all cash donations dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000, helping expand access to free menstrual products in communities across the province.

The need is significant. More than 120 frontline organizations across B.C. have collectively requested over 2.3 million period products to support the people they serve, including students, families, and individuals facing financial barriers. Menstrual supplies can cost $80 to $100 per month, forcing some households to make difficult trade-offs between basic needs.

Meeting a growing need across communities

Period poverty remains a largely unseen issue, but its impacts are far-reaching. Frontline partners report that people are skipping school, missing work, or turning to unsafe alternatives when they cannot afford menstrual supplies. These impacts are often felt most by Indigenous communities, newcomers and refugees, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those living in rural or remote areas.

“Period Promise launches every year to address ongoing gaps in access to menstrual products,” says Lori Mayhew, Senior Director, Labour Participation, United Way British Columbia. “The volume of requests we’re seeing, more than two million products in a single year, highlights how critical this support remains, particularly as costs for everyday essentials continue to rise.”

For Pacific Blue Cross, addressing these barriers is part of a broader commitment to improving health equity and supporting communities across the province.

“Access to essential health products should never depend on someone’s financial situation,” says Sarah Hoffman, President and CEO, Pacific Blue Cross. “When people are forced to go without, the impacts show up in their health, their confidence, and their ability to participate in everyday life. Supporting Period Promise is one way we can take meaningful action to remove those barriers and help build more equitable access to care across our communities.”

A collective response

The Period Promise campaign brings together partners across sectors to respond to growing need in communities across British Columbia.

“As a union, we stand for the wellbeing of all workers, and period poverty in BC is something that we cannot overlook,” says Beth Miller, President of CUPE Local 1816. “With the rising cost of living affecting families across our province, many people are feeling increased pressure to make trade-offs around everyday essentials. The Period Promise campaign meets that reality head-on, offering practical relief and a powerful message of solidarity. CUPE 1816 is immensely proud to support this work.”

Through Period Promise, United Way BC works with community organizations to provide barrier-free access to menstrual products, placing supplies directly in washrooms and shared spaces where people need them most.

How you can help

Join the effort to help address period poverty in BC. Donate, participate through your workplace, or organize a local product drive.

Learn more or contribute at uwbc.ca/periodpromise.