The Wiley Family Foundation on Investing in Menopause Education and Empowerment

“My mom’s experience with menopause left us feeling like so much more could be done to support women generally and, specifically, as they navigate menopause,” explains Tori. “Making accurate, reliable and helpful information broadly available seemed like a strong starting point.” 

With a generous gift from the Wiley Family Foundation, Women’s College Hospital recently launched the Menopause Empowerment Project (MEP), a free online education resource designed to help people better understand menopause, navigate symptoms and make informed decisions about their health.  

Nearly half of Canadians report feeling unprepared for menopause, with many people struggling to find trusted information about what to expect and where to find support. Historically, menopause has been hy under-researched, contributing to gaps in knowledge and care. Developed by WCH clinicians in partnership with people with lived experience, the Menopause Empowerment Project is helping address these gaps with trusted, evidence-informed learning. Its three free, self-directed online modules offer practical information for people navigating menopause, those supporting someone through it and healthcare practitioners. 

For the Wiley family, supporting the project was about more than the need. The people behind the work mattered, too. 

“For us, the people we support and work with are as important as the cause,” Tori says. “It’s easy to get behind a project when the people driving it are excited about the work and the potential for real impact. The team at Women’s College Hospital fits that bill – experts in their fields and open and inclusive in their approach. We are extremely impressed with the WCH team and what has been accomplished.”   

That spirit of collaboration made the Experience especially meaningful for the family. “Women’s College Hospital made this project a collaborative process at every level – between doctors, patients, hospital administrators, donors, and more. Without the team’s commitment to open conversations and unique perspectives, the project wouldn’t be what it is today.”  

Ultimately, the Wiley family hopes the Menopause Empowerment Project will help women feel empowered to seek information, ask questions and advocate for the care they need.  

“It’s a perfectly named project because it really feels like a way to empower women as they navigate a complex transition in their lives. By providing women with clear information and trusted resources directly from experts in the field, Women’s College Hospital and the Menopause Empowerment Project will enable women to advocate for themselves.” 

They also hope their gift will encourage more open conversations about menopause. And inspire others to support the future of healthcare for women. “We hope it inspires others to continue these conversations and get involved in supporting women’s health.” 

We are incredibly grateful to Averil and Tori Wiley and the Wiley Family Foundation for helping bring the Menopause Empowerment Project to life and making trusted menopause education freely available to more people. 

Help shape what comes next 

Philanthropy is helping Women’s College Hospital build on its leadership in midlife and menopause care, advancing research, expanding access to trusted information and creating new possibilities for care. 

Every gift helps move this work forward and brings us closer to a future where more women and gender-diverse people have the knowledge, resources and care they need throughout midlife and menopause.