National Immunization Week

Boost your power: Get immunized

National Immunization Awareness Week (April 25 to May 2, 2015)

April 23, 2015 (OTTAWA) – During National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW), Immunize Canada calls upon all Canadians to protect themselves and others by staying up to date with their immunizations. "Immunizations are safe, effective, and benefit people of all ages," says Dr. Susan Bowles, Chair of Immunize Canada. "They protect individuals and communities by preventing the spread of disease. As more people are immunized, the disease risk for everyone is reduced."

The recent measles outbreaks in Quebec and Ontario remind us that infectious diseases still pose a serious threat to our health. Both infants and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to many vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications. For example, infants who are too young to be fully immunized can become seriously ill if they come in contact with an under-immunized adult who is sick with even a mild case of an illness like pertussis.

It is now easier than ever for Canadians to keep track of their immunizations thanks to the ImmunizeCA app. Developed by Immunize Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

"The ImmunizeCA app provides access to recommended immunization schedules, reliable, expert-approved, bilingual information about immunizations, as well as useful tools such as appointment reminders, and local outbreak alert notifications," says Dr. Shelly McNeil, Vice-Chair of Immunize Canada. The app is easy to use and ideal for Canadians constantly on the go. It is available for free download at the App Store, Google Play and Blackberry World.

For more information, please visit immunize.ca .

 

 

About Immunize Canada

Immunize Canada is a national coalition with the overall aim of increasing awareness about the benefits of immunization and promoting the understanding and use of vaccines as recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

For information and interview opportunities, please contact:

Immunize Canada/CPHA

Riki Johnston

Communications Officer

613-725-3769 x 160

rjohnston@cpha.ca

immunize.ca

@Immunizedotca

 
  

Our Auxiliary Volunteers!

2015 Volunteer Nomination

South Huron Hospital Auxiliary

 

South Huron Hospital Association has witnessed the unwavering commitment of the South Huron Hospital Auxiliary which has been in existence since 1952. This group of dedicated individuals has continued to support the Hospital for 63 years with their Gift Shop service, annual rummage sales, 50/50 draws and other fundraising events. These events assist in purchasing much needed equipment for the Hospital. It is through their generous contributions that “The Little Hospital That Does” is able to deliver the best patient care within the communities we serve.

 

SHHA would like to express their deep gratitude for all the Auxiliary does for our Hospital and our patients. Their purpose to “help in every possible way” is displayed in everything they do.  Volunteers such as the Auxiliary give meaning to the phrase “service above self”. They indeed do make the world a better place by transforming lives for the better. 

 

The SHH Auxiliary have a very proud tradition and history of service delivery. Without question, the true greatness of SHHA is derived from the everyday actions of Volunteers such as these.  Make no mistake.  They……Transform…..Lives.

Canadian Cancer Society launches April Daffodil Campaign

26 March 2014  -  TORONTO

Hearing the words “You have cancer” profoundly alters lives and the Canadian Cancer
Society urges Canadians to join with them to change cancer forever.

“We’ve reached a tipping point and now, more than ever, we need Canadians’ support,”
says  Pamela Fralick, President and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society. “Every donation
made during our  April Daffodil campaign will bring us one step closer to preventing
cancer, detecting it earlier, improving treatments and helping Canadians live longer,
healthier lives.”

Thanks to donors the Society has funded billions in cancer research since the 1940s,
resulting in advances that have improved the lives of Canadians. Donors have also
made it possible for the Society to become the country’s most trusted source of
information and support for people living with cancer and their families. Current
statistics show that progress has been made – today over 60% of Canadians diagnosed
with cancer will survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. In the 1940s, survival
was about 25%.

“The generosity of donors has brought us to an exciting threshold and there is great
optimism  for a future where we will no longer have to fear the word cancer,” says
Fralick. “But work  remains to be done and the need for your continued support
grows with each passing day.”

Current statistics show that the number of new cancer cases continues to rise
steadily as the Canadian population grows and ages.  Almost half of all Canadians
are expected to develop cancer in their lifetimes and it is the leading cause of
death in this country. Last year, an estimated 187,000 new cases of cancer were
diagnosed and 75,500 Canadians died from the disease.

“Change won’t happen without you,” says Fralick. “Donating to the Society makes
you part of a vibrant cross-Canada team that is working to transform the way we
understand this disease and live with it.”

Wear a daffodil pin

Fralick especially encourages Canadians to buy and wear a daffodil pin during April
to show their support for people living with cancer.

“Whether it’s through family or friends, we all have a story about how cancer affects
us,” says Fralick. “By donating to the Society and wearing a daffodil pin, we’re
collectively saying that we are in this together and we won’t give up until all forms
of the disease are defeated.”

During Daffodil Month Society volunteers in communities across Canada will be
knocking on doors, organizing special events and selling daffodil pins and flowers
to raise funds.

You can donate to the Society in many different ways:

• Buy and wear a daffodil pin throughout April. Pins are available at Society
  offices and at participating locations of our local corporate partners and our
  national pin partners: Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC); Bowl
  Canada; Canlan Ice Sports; JACOB; LifeLabs; Mortgage Alliance;
  Pharmasave; Ryder Canada; WirelessWave; Tbooth.
• Donate online at cancer.ca.
• Attend a Daffodil month event in your community.
• Buy daffodils.
• Donate when a volunteer canvasser knocks on your door.
• Participate in a Society fundraising event in your community.
• Sign up to participate in a Relay For Life event in your community or
  sponsor a Relay participant.
• Donate your Petro-points or gift a virtual daffodil pin to a friend on
  Petro-Canada’s Facebook page.

Donations during Daffodil Month will help the Society:

• fund excellent cancer research.
• provide information and deliver programs and services to prevent cancer
  and to support
  people living with cancer and their families and caregivers.
• advocate on behalf of Canadians on important health and cancer issues.

Contact your local Society office to find out what’s going on in your community
during the Society’s Daffodil campaign or go to cancer.ca. 

The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of
volunteers whose mission is to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life
of people living with cancer. Thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Society has
the most impact, against the most cancers, in the most communities in Canada.
Building on our progress, we are working with Canadians to change cancer
forever. Make your gift today at cancer.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Christine Harminc

Manager, Communications

Canadian Cancer Society

National office

Phone: 416 934-5340