MRKH Canada is a not-for-profit that aims to support, educate and empower those born with, or affect
28/11/2023
It’s Giving Tuesday! 💜 A perfect opportunity to give back to your community and the causes that resonate with you. If we are one of those to you, here are some ways you may choose to give:
1. Give a donation:
Donations to MRKH Canada help fund our annual events and keep us up and running as the only not-for-profit organization dedicated to MRKH in Canada.
To make a donation, send an E-Transfer to [email protected] or click this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZMZ278RS3V8GC (Link also available in bio)
2. Give time:
We have remote and in-person volunteer opportunities for those who are interested in volunteering their time. Roles include sponsorship outreach, grant writing, research & content creation, and in-person event work.
3. Give your voice:
Share your story to help spread awareness about MRKH. Or use your voice to tell us what we can do to help you in your MRKH journey.
4. Give kindness:
Send us a friendly message to let us know how we have made a difference for you.
After receiving the life-altering diagnosis of MRKH Syndrome, many of us likely feel alone or isolated from family and friends. One thing that may help in coping with the MRKH diagnosis is connecting with a community of individuals going through similar things.
Did you know there are many MRKH focused Facebook support groups?
Here are just a few:
- MRKH experiences, advice and support
- MRKH support and awareness
- Fighters
- Canadian MRKHers & Supporters
Have we missed any? Comment below if you know of any that we missed. 💜
📸 Photo Credit: Tatiana Syrikova, Pexels
15/08/2023
・・・
FITTING IN (fka BLOODY HELL) will have its Canadian premiere at in September! TIFF played my first feature, so bringing this baby there means everything to me. Forever and endless gratitude to the entire team but a special shout-out to my beloved cast .sces. I’d get a tattoo of any of your faces to make you smile. Gratitude.
Title design:
…….
Congratulations to Molly McGlynn and her crew on the upcoming Canadian premiere of Fitting In (fka Bloody Hell) at ! We are so excited to see this film and for all the awareness it will bring to our MRKH community. For upcoming times and places to watch the film during TIFF check out https://www.tiff.net/events/fitting-in (https://www.tiff.net/events/fitting-in)
12/08/2023
Come find us down at in Kingston, ON all weekend long in City Park raising awareness about MRKH Syndrome. 😊
04/08/2023
Last week we celebrated our birthday! 🎂 This week, we want to reflect on what we’ve accomplished in the two years since we started.
Here’s a list of highlights:
- Launched a Needs Assessment survey to determine where our priorities should lie as an organization
- Launched a Canadian MRKH Specialist Directory
- Held 3 X 5000 Metres for MRKH Fundraisers
- Hosted four lectures in classrooms to educate students about MRKH
- Mailed out countless MRKH Identification Cards across the globe
- Gained media attention in newspapers, podcasts, blogs, TV news and radio broadcasts
- Launched a research study with Queen's University Sexual Health Research Lab
- Attended community events to promote MRKH awareness
✨ What’s Next for MRKH Canada? ✨
Here are a few things we hope to accomplish in the next two years:
- Monthly online support chats
- More MRKH research
- Holding our annual in-person conference
- Continuing our annual 5000 Metres for MRKH Fundraiser
And more to come!
Is there anything you’d like to see on our list? 📝
01/08/2023
Are you planning to attend our MRKH Conference on September 30 and need accommodations?
We have arranged a discounted rate with the Quality Inn & Conference Centre a couple minutes away from the conference location.
To book, you can contact the front desk team at 613-546-3661 and mention the “MRKH Conference” or use the booking link below: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/OS27T8
29/07/2023
The MRKH Conference is just over two months away!
We are so excited to meet, connect, and learn in person. We hope to see you there!
Follow this link to purchase your ticket to the conference.
It's our birthday!
Today we are celebrating two years of MRKH Canada.
MRKH Canada is the first not-for-profit organization dedicated to MRKH in Canada.
The last two years have been filled with a lot of learning curves, fundraising events, in-person and virtual meet-ups, but most importantly spreading awareness of MRKH while supporting and empowering those with MRKH.
Thank you for your support during the beginning years of MRKH Canada. We look forward to connecting further with our national and international community in the years to come.
20/07/2023
There are many things we wish we could tell our younger selves that may have made our lives a little bit easier, especially during our MRKH diagnosis. If it feels right for you, use this question as a journal prompt.
17/07/2023
We deserve to feel joy and freedom of comparison. Some of us may find ourselves negatively comparing our lives to friends, family, co-workers, or even strangers on the internet; especially when it comes to big life milestones. At times it may even feel like we are falling behind but this is simply not the case. Everyone grows, transitions, and evolves at a different pace. There is no right or wrong way to live. We hope you are able to see the good in your life and see you are exactly where you are supposed to be. 💜
10/07/2023
Have you signed up for the Bloom Study yet?
We have been working alongside Queen’s University Sexual Health Research Lab on a research opportunity to explore the impacts of MRKH and what we can do to help. We are looking for people with MRKH to participate in the study through individual interviews with the research team. We hope you will consider participating in this important study. Follow this link to register: https://www.sexlab.ca/participate
08/07/2023
MRKH Canada and have teamed up to create a video about the development and genetics of MRKH Syndrome. Featuring none-other-than ☀️, and the brains and knowledge from Amy Lossie, PhD … From synapse, to science, through Sunni style, we bring you the first of hopefully a series of videos revolving around the mysterious development of the fascinating spectrum that is MRKH.
Are you planning on attending this year's MRKH Conference? Will you need accommodations? We're currently working with local hotels to get the best possible rates for conference attendees. Please let us know if you're interested in booking as part of our hotel block so we can get you the best possible rate. Email us at [email protected]
17/06/2023
What can we even say, except THANK YOU!? 🙏🏻🥹🥳
16/06/2023
Today is the donation deadline for our 5000 Metres for MRKH fundraiser! If you were thinking of donating, please do so now so we can tally up our event’s grand total to announce soon. 📣 We cannot wait to tell you how much we raised!! 💰
Thank you to the Beautiful You MRKH Foundation (BYMRKH) for their generous donation towards our 5000 Metres for MRKH Fundraiser this year (and in past years)!
The Beautiful You MRKH Foundation strives to improve the health and wellbeing of all members of the MRKH Community and empower everyone who has received this diagnosis to realize their innate strength, purpose, and beauty.
As always, we appreciate your love, support, and guidance! 💜
11/06/2023
It was a great day for our 5000 Metres for MRKH fundraiser! Thank you to everyone who attended - in-person & virtually. And thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We are now at… drumroll please 🥁… $5615!! Well past our $5000 goal. Incredible!! Our campaign will run until Friday, June 16, so if you’d still like to support, you can do so here: https://www.mrkhcanada.ca/pledges
The funds raised will mostly go towards our MRKH Conference happening on Sept 30, 2023, as well as operating costs to keep our momentum as a not for profit going!
11/06/2023
・・・
Today is the . An annual fundraising event inspired by our own challenge. A challenge we support and sponsor just as MRKH Canada supports us.
We really are a community and working with our peers for the collective goal of raising awareness and providing support for all.
So today our Director ran 5000m for MRKH.
Good luck to everyone running, walking and repping MRKH Canada today and to everyone on the challenge doing an incredible job promoting their physical and mental health and wellbeing 💜
09/06/2023
"Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” - Brene Brown
Regardless of how you choose to participate in 5000 Metres for MRKH, we appreciate you showing up for MRKH Canada, as well as for yourself and your own wellbeing.
For those showing up in-person this year, you will receive one of these beautiful ribbons made by Specialty Trophies. 💜trophies
08/06/2023
For the last handful of months we've been working with the Queen’s University Sexual Health Research Lab on a research opportunity to explore the impacts of MRKH and what we can do to help. We are now looking for people with MRKH to participate in the study via individual interviews with the research team. See below for details and we hope you will consider participating to advance MRKH research! We’d also like to give the SHRL a quick shout out for once again being a sponsor for our 5000 Metres for MRKH fundraiser happening this Sunday, June 11.
08/06/2023
(Kingston, Ontario) Later this month, MRKH Canada will hold its third annual 5,000 Metres for MRKH Fundraiser, an in-person event taking place here in Kingston.
08/06/2023
June is Pride Month 🏳️🌈
This month we celebrate and commemorate 2SLGBTQIA+ pride.
We stand with you and we see you.
+
Photo credit Alexander Grey
04/06/2023
We are just one week away from our 5000 Metres for MRKH Fundraiser! So far, we have raised $3035. That means we’ve got $1965 to go to reach our $5000 goal!
A few ways you can help us reach our fundraising goal:
- Register for the event on Sunday, June 11: https://www.mrkhcanada.ca/5000-metres-for-mrkh
- Go to mrkhcanada.ca/pledges to make a donation
- E-Transfer to [email protected]
- Cash or cheque can be mailed to 311-1023 Pembridge Crescent, Kingston, ON, K7P1M8
- Share this post on social media (Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, etc.)
- Send the donation link in an email to close friends or family
However you choose to support us, please know we appreciate you. 💜
02/06/2023
It's that time of year again! MRKH Connect is hosting their 5000 in 50 Challenge, which initially inspired our 5000 Metres for MRKH fundraiser! Check out their 5000 minutes of activity in 50 days challenge and consider participating in our event as part of theirs. Their First Day 5K challenge today is a great way to prepare for our 5K Fundraiser next weekend!
We also would like to give a quick shout out to MRKH Connect for once again sponsoring our event.
And we are off!! Day 1 of 5000 in 50 begins as always with a challenge!
Whether you walk, run, cycle, swim, hop, skip, roller skate or whatever your take on a 5k is - join us wherever you are for yours!
Take a picture, share your post and tag us and use the hastags and , we would love to see what you get up to!
Not yet sure what 5000 in 50 is? This is a unique community driven challenge focused on improving our mental health and wellbeing as much as our physical health. Join family and friends by coming together and challenge yourself to 5000 minutes of activity across 50 days.
What you choose to do is up to you but this challenge has been designed to be as accessible as possible, meaning there is something for everyone!
Every registered participant receives a welcome gift there are many prizes and giveaways and plenty of motivational challenges and events to keep us inspired throughout.
Becoming a not-for-profit organization meant incurring a lot of start-up costs, including investing in insurance, which we chose to do through McDougall. We would now like to thank them for supporting us this year as a sponsor for our 5000 Metres for MRKH Fundraiser.
01/06/2023
Thank you for donating this generous gift basket for our fundraiser on Sunday, June 11!
Get dressed for this year’s 5000 Metres for MRKH Fundraiser with our event T-Shirts! Pre-order a T-Shirt for $25 by emailing [email protected] to help us reach our $5000 fundraising goal. The shirts will be available for pick-up at the event, or we can arrange to ship them to you.
19/05/2023
📝Writing can be a great way to practice new attitudes and develop a positive mindset, including self-love and acceptance.
Swipe through the journal prompts to find one or two that resonate with you and take the time to write it out. ✍️ If writing isn’t your thing, consider thinking about the prompt or talking about it with a trusted support person. 💭
Mother’s Day can bring up a lot of feelings for some of us with MRKH Syndrome. On a day when we can be bombarded with Happy Mother’s Day posts, just know you are not alone and that feelings that come up are valid.
That being said, we do still want to acknowledge the day. Let’s celebrate the maternal figures in our lives and think about where our maternal energy goes. Humans, pets, plants, friends, siblings, family, students, etc.
We appreciate all that you do for those you care for. We see you. We hope you have a wonderful day. 💜
We need your help! In planning our next MRKH Conference (September 30, 2023, Kingston, ON), we want to hear from you! What topic(s) are you interested in for the breakout sessions? Comment below or send us an email with ideas that we will take into consideration for this year’s event: [email protected]
Photo Credit: Mika Baumeister, Unsplash
05/05/2023
“You’ll never know what you are capable of until you take that first step and just go for it.” - Natasha Hastings - Olympic Gold Medalist
Whether you choose to walk, run, or wheel for this year’s 5000 Metres for MRKH, remember that you are capable, strong, and powerful. You got this!
This week, from May 1-7, is Mental Health Week in Canada. The Canadian Mental Health Association is hosting the campaign to support the shift of attitudes and perceptions about mental health.
Mental health is something that affects each and every one of us. What is one way you take care of your mental health?
For more information about this campaign, resources, tips, and support head on over to the page.
There is support available; it’s okay to ask for help. 💜
01/05/2023
Thank you to Jason Hare, (Jake), and his team at Cornerstone Wealth Planning for sponsoring this year’s 5000 Metres for MRKH Event with a $500 donation! We are currently accepting sponsors for this year’s event. If you or a business you know may be interested, please reach out and we will pass along our sponsorship benefits package. ☺️📝💸
28/04/2023
As Infertility Awareness Week comes to a close, please consider donating to help us reach our $5000 fundraising goal. Though this week was the “official” week for infertility awareness, advocating for MRKH is something we do all year round. By donating, you will be helping our mission of supporting, empowering and educating those with MRKH and their supporters. Click here to donate: https://www.mrkhcanada.ca/pledges (Link also in bio)
If you are unable to donate, an easy way you can help is by sharing this post. 😊 Thank you all for your ongoing support!
Photo Credit: Kelly Sikke, Unsplash
26/04/2023
"Today I wear orange to spread awareness of infertility and to show anyone struggling with infertility or MRKH that they are never alone." 🧡 - Savannah, Social Media Coordinator, MRKH Canada
26/04/2023
“I choose to wear orange for National Infertility Awareness week to spark conversations and to speak out for myself and those who are unable to, or are not ready to. By advocating for MRKH Syndrome and spreading awareness about infertility, I hope to break the shame and stigma attached to these conditions, resulting in a more open, inclusive world. I believe that by sharing our stories, we can find others who have walked similar paths and faced similar obstacles, making us feel less alone in our own journeys.” - Ashley, Founder/Director, MRKH Canada
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Videos
Some reflection and words of wisdom from our Vice-Chair, Sunni, on today's 5000 Metres for MRKH event.
#5000metresformrkh #5kfundraiser #5k #mrkhawareness #positivethinking
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Our Story
Hi there!
This event started out as the "First Ever Kingston MRKH Conference" in 2018 and was started by MRKH advocate Ashley Clark (that's me!).
I was sick of travelling the 6-9 hour drive to the closest MRKH conference in Boston for support and networking with others born with MRKH. After receiving my diploma in Public Relations & Event Management, I decided to start my own conference for women in Canada.
After the first one was a success, I decided to make it an annual event. After my second conference, I caught the eye of Sick Kids, who asked if I would hold a conference with them in Toronto. That’s when I realized I couldn't call it the “Kingston MRKH Conference” anymore.
Since I am currently the only one in Canada hosting MRKH meet-ups (that I'm aware of), I’ve decided to brand my advocacy as “Canada’s MRKH Conference”! I hope by creating this name for myself it will expand into more than just my meet-up and that I can provide other MRKH women & specialists resources to supporting and educating one another.
WHAT’S MY STORY?
Hey there! I’m Ashley. I was born and raised in Kingston, ON. I was also born with MRKH Syndrome, just like 1 in 5000 other women in the world. I was diagnosed at the age of 16 and told I would never be able to carry a child or have a period. My MRKH symptoms included an underdeveloped uterus and the absence of a cervix and va**na, but I know many others have additional oddities like missing kidneys or spinal issues.
Through high school, I kept MRKH mostly to myself apart from my close friends and family. But deep down I knew, it wasn’t something I wanted to hide. I discovered the supportive sisterhood of MRKH women online and it changed my life for the better. I decided I wanted to be part of that change for others.
I slowly began telling more people about MRKH, conquering the shame of having the syndrome. It was in my fourth and final year of college when I officially took the plunge and came ‘out’ with it. I graduated from Public Relations and Event Management and immediately put my diploma to use, launching my first MRKH Conference. Now, I am an active advocate of the MRKH Community. On top of organizing my own conference, I have volunteered and spoken at the Boston Children’s Hospital MRKH Conference, held fundraisers for MRKH, raising public awareness and grabbing media attention and even gone as far as educating a high school classroom about my syndrome.
