United Way British Columbia’s Period Promise campaign presented by Pacific Blue Cross is back – and this time with a record-breaking collection target of 700,000 menstrual products. The campaign, which runs from May 6 to June 7, collects menstrual products to fight period poverty and support health equity in British Columbia.

This year marks the five year anniversary of the first United Way collection drive, a campaign that managed to collect 30,000 products to support vulnerable women and girls in BC. Since these humble beginnings, the campaign has gained significant momentum with support from local businesses, government, and people across the province.

Pacific Blue Cross joined the cause as Presenting Sponsor in 2019 and the Government of BC committed to both free menstrual products in schools as well as partnered with United Way on an important research project on period poverty in our province.

Amazingly, Period Promise has helped collect over two million menstrual products since its inception and the momentum is continuing to build.

This year’s campaign has an ambitious goal, but one that is possible if British Columbians come together to raise awareness about period poverty and to support the basic human right of having access to menstrual products.

Many British Columbians still don’t have access to menstrual products, which can result in missing work, school, and social events when they have their period. Shockingly, half of everyone who menstruates in BC has struggled to buy product at some point in their life, and more than a quarter have gone through a period without having access to menstrual products at all. Thankfully, Period Promise is helping change that.

“Supporting United Way’s Period Promise campaign is an easy way to help build healthy communities and improve the wellbeing of British Columbians,” says Rob Chiarello, Senior Vice President of People Culture at Pacific Blue Cross. “Any donation, big or small, will make a world of difference to someone in need. We encourage all organizations to get behind Period Promise by running a collection campaign in their workplace this May.”

In addition to organizing collection campaigns, workplaces can also sign the Period Promise Policy Agreement to commit to supplying free menstrual products in workplace washrooms.

Those wanting to contribute to Period Promise can donate or find local volunteer opportunities with United Way British Columbia online.