Alberta Blue Cross®and United Way address period poverty through Period Promise campaign
MEDIA RELEASE May 28, 2026
For immediate release
In recognition of Menstrual Health Day, Alberta Blue Cross and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region are partnering for the fourth consecutive year to normalize menstruation and address period poverty in their communities.
May 28 marks Menstrual Health Day, a catalyst for discussions and awareness around menstruation. Sparking conversations around menstrual health is a fundamental part of public health and normalizes an everyday part of life.
Alberta Blue Cross became one of the first partners of the Period Promise initiative in 2023 through a sponsorship with United Way.
“The Period Promise campaign provides access to period products while destigmatizing menstruation through collaboration with governments, businesses, schools and other organizations,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross. “As a campaign supporter, we want to help spread awareness of period poverty while sharing information on how communities can get involved.”
Alberta Blue Cross has also joined the Period Promise Pledge by providing stigma- and cost-free access to period products in the all-gender washrooms at their Edmonton office. They also encourage their team members to get involved through period product drives where they collect donations of menstrual products.
According to the 2023 Environics Research survey, in Canada, it’s estimated that people who menstruate spend up to $6,000 in their lifetime on menstrual products, and the cost of the same products can double in rural areas compared to larger cities. In 2019, about 34 per cent of people in Canada who menstruate stated they “often” or “occasionally” make budget sacrifices to afford menstrual products.
“Access to menstrual products should never be a barrier to participating fully at work,” says Rob Yager, president and chief executive officer with United Way of the Alberta Capital Region. “Through the Period Promise Pledge and our partnership with Alberta Blue Cross, we’re helping expand access to menstrual products in workplaces across the region. Together, we’re supporting dignity, inclusion and a more equitable community for everyone.”
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About Alberta Blue Cross
Alberta Blue Cross is a lifelong partner in health and wellbeing, helping people and organizations navigate life’s meaningful moments with clarity, care and confidence. For more than 75 years, we’ve supported individuals,
employers, communities and governments through coverage and guidance to help people live well. Rooted in Alberta, we invest locally in initiatives that strengthen the communities we serve.
About United Way of the Alberta Capital Region
United Way of the Alberta Capital Region unites changemakers in the Edmonton area to address complex community issues. Our focus is to create impactful, systemic change by strengthening mental wellbeing, eliminating educational barriers, and empowering financial security to build strong, connected, and resilient communities where no one is left behind.
For more information, please contact Angela Giacobbo, communications officer, Alberta Blue Cross at agiacobb@ab.bluecross.ca or David Odumade, director of Brand, Marketing and Product, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region at dodumade@myunitedway.ca.