The Orchid Gala

TRANSFORMING GYNECOLOGIC CANCER CARE IN NOVA SCOTIA

When Deanne Reeve passed away in 2020 following a late diagnosis of cervical cancer, her best friends Sheri Morgan and Liz Rigney decided they needed to do something. As a result, the Orchid Women’s Health Initiative was created to help ensure other women have access to the care, technology and treatment they need.

What began as a tribute to an extraordinary woman has grown into one of Nova Scotia's most impactful fundraising initiatives for women's health — raising more than $3.1 million net since 2023.

For the second consecutive year, proceeds from their signature event, the Orchid Gala, will support the QEII Foundation and leading advancements in women's health at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE

Although this year’s Orchid Gala is sold out, you can still help advance women's health care in Nova Scotia.

Make a donation today to support this year's fundraising priority and help ensure more women have access to timely, personalized gynecologic cancer care.

Donate Now

THE ORCHID GALA

Held annually in support of women's health initiatives in Nova Scotia, the Orchid Gala brings together community leaders, philanthropists, health care professionals and passionate supporters for an unforgettable evening of inspiration and impact.

Taking place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Steele Wheels Motor Museum, this year's sold-out event will feature gourmet dining, inspiring speakers, exclusive auction experiences and special entertainment, all in support of advancing women's health care across our province.

Advancing Personalized Cancer Care

Funds raised through this year’s Orchid Gala will help advance access to HRD testing through Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) for women facing gynecologic cancers.

Gynecologic cancers are often diagnosed at advanced stages, making timely diagnosis and personalized treatment critical.

HRD (Homologous Recombination Deficiency) status is a key biomarker that can help guide treatment decisions and identify patients who may benefit from therapies such as PARP inhibitors. By supporting access to comprehensive testing, Orchid Gala donors will help ensure more women receive the right treatment, from the right expert, at the right time.

Pictured: The Orchid Gala event night at Steele Wheels Motor Museum, October 2025.

A LEGACY OF IMPACT

In 2025, Orchid Gala supporters raised an extraordinary $1.9 million net to help fund a new da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.

This groundbreaking technology is expanding access to robot-assisted surgery, including procedures used to treat gynecologic cancers and pre-cancerous conditions, helping more patients receive advanced care closer to home.

The da Vinci Xi is considered the gold standard for many minimally invasive surgical procedures and is playing a critical role in increasing access to advanced gynecologic cancer care in Nova Scotia.

Learn more about the da Vinci Xi Surgical Robot.

Pictured: unveiling a special mural recognizing 2025 Orchid Gala supporters located in the Gynaecologic Oncology Waiting Area at the QEII’s Cancer Centre, February 2026

THE DEANNE REEVE SILVER LINING

Each year, the Orchid Gala donates a portion of proceeds to organizations making a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of women in Nova Scotia.

Recent recipients have included initiatives supporting young mothers and organizations serving individuals vulnerable to intimate partner violence.

This commitment reflects Deanne's spirit of generosity and the belief that improving women's health extends beyond hospital walls.