Halifax, N.S. (Dec. 17, 2025) – The spirit of holiday giving was in the air at the IWK this week, as the IWK Foundation celebrated the generosity of the Atlantic Canada Health Care Coalition Society (ACHCCS).
Fern Tardif, Executive Director, ACHCCS, proudly announced their $20,000 gift—doubling their inaugural donation to the IWK last year and hoping to increase their donation again next year to continue to support the care the IWK provides to families across Atlantic Canada. Their gift will go toward the IWK Emergency Department Redevelopment.
“With over 325,000 members, we have families right across the Atlantic region who know first- hand what it means to need the IWK at some time in their lives,” said Tardif. “Supporting the exceptional work of the IWK truly extends the support we offer to our members, while also benefitting so many more families in the communities we serve. We’re proud to bring the power of our collective to help improve the health and well-being of Atlantic Canadians, especially at this time of year.”
Founded in 2008, the ACHCCS is the first coalition of its kind in Canada and each year more Unions are joining the Coalition. It currently has 91 member groups comprised of over 800 union locals representing over 325,000 members, retirees, and their families across Atlantic Canada. (Learn more: achccs.ca)
The IWK is an integral part of the region’s communities, caring for women, children, youth, and families across the Maritime provinces and providing specialty care to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. IWK Health is also home to the only emergency department in the Maritimes that specializes in the care of infants, children, and youth and is the only accredited Level 1 pediatric trauma centre east of Quebec. A new IWK Emergency Department is being built to better meet the needs of the communities they serve. The timing of this redevelopment is critical, as the goal is to triple the size of the current emergency department as it continues to experience record-breaking numbers of patient visits.
The IWK Foundation is proud to be working with its community of donors—like the ACHCCS— to raise significant funds to purchase specialized equipment and support specific facility upgrades, enhancements, and research for the Emergency Redevelopment. With input and consultation from families and communities, the IWK has considered every step of the patient’s journey including helping to address wait times, advancements in technology, enhanced privacy, confidentiality, infection prevention and control, and even lighting, colour, and sound. (Learn more: iwkfoundation.org/emerge)
“We are very thankful for the generosity and growing support of the ACHCCS, its members, and their families,” said Jennifer Gillivan, President & CEO, IWK Foundation. “The IWK Emergency Department Redevelopment is a huge project that relies on support from across our region and beyond. It’s very fitting that the ACHCCS has chosen to support this project, especially during this time of year, as they represent a true spirit of coming together to help their members and the larger community every day. Their support for this project will have an impact on families for years to come.”
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About the Atlantic Canada Health Care Coalition Society (ACHCCS)
The ACHCCS was formed to develop and consolidate the purchasing power of benefit plans, unions, associations and other groups in Atlantic Canada. It currently has 91 groups comprised of over 800 union locals and is the first coalition of its kind in Canada. ACHCCS is a member of the National Labor Alliance of Health Care Coalitions. To view members of the ACHCCS, visit: achccs.ca/groups.html, and to view information on benefit providers, visit: achccs.ca/providers.html.
The most often used programs by union members and retirees in the ACHCCS include:
VIVANTA (formerly MHCSI) – A leading pharmacy owned and operated preferred provider pharmacy benefit manager in Canada. Vivanta services companies and organizations of all sizes with membership from coast to coast and helps clients save on prescription costs and other health and wellness needs to support access to care and improve health outcomes. Learn more: vivantahealth.ca
The Co-operators Group Home and Auto Insurance – ACHCCS members receive a group rate on home and auto insurance. There has been a considerable increase in members using this program over the last couple of years due to the savings they received under the ACHCCS group rate for their home and auto insurance. In 2025, there were two new Providers that partnered with the ACHCCS to offer discounts on their products to ACHCCS Members and their families: Vogue Optical – Discounts on eyewear products and a free VIP warranty package. Policy Me – Term Life Insurance & Critical Illness Insurance Program
About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Foundation is a champion of excellence in women and children’s healthcare and research, and mental health and addictions for children and youth. The IWK Foundation is the primary fundraising organization for IWK Health, working in partnership with IWK Health and others to support the vision of providing quality care to women, children, youth, and families in our community. The IWK Foundation is a national co-owner and partner of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and a member of the national Women’s Health Collective Canada. Visit iwkfoundation.org for more information.
Media Contact
Jodi Reid
IWK Foundation
P: 902.266.3306
E: jodi.reid@iwkfoundation.org