Tag: Canada

New Study Confirms Run to Quit helps to boost physical activity and cut down on smoking 

Six months after Run to Quit completed its first year, an impressive 40 per cent of participants surveyed said they had quit smoking and 43 per cent said they were also running on average three times a week.

In addition, 91 per cent of participants who completed the program said they had cut back on smoking and 97 per cent reported Run to Quit helped them to exercise more.

Run to Quit is being studied by researchers from the University of British Columbia for its potential as a chronic disease prevention program.

“We saw participants shift in terms of the way they saw themselves; first as smokers and eventually to runners fully embracing the Running Room culture. Their confidence to both quit smoking and run increased as did their overall physical and mental health scores,” says Dr. Carly Priebe, a researcher at UBC.

Participants’ confidence to quit smoking grew from 67 per cent at the beginning of the program to 80 per cent by week three.

“Maintaining health behaviour change is really difficult, but 24 per cent continue to be engaged with Running Room walk and run programs,” reports Priebe.

Run to Quit is a unique program that pairs the quit-smoking expertise of the Canadian Cancer Society with Running Room Canada’s learn to walk or run 5 km clinics. The step-by-step program helps smokers cope with discomfort and cravings through its simple and encouraging approach to cutting down while they become more physically active.

“While quitting smoking is the biggest goal for most Run to Quit participants, we know that staying active is important to reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. We were happy to see that participants really embraced exercise,” says John Atkinson, director, cancer prevention and tobacco control, Canadian Cancer Society. “Participants who continue to exercise are doing even more than the recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week.”

In its first year, Run to Quit welcomed more than 1,000 participants in all three streams of the program – online, do it yourself, and in-store training. In-store training was offered in 21 stores in six provinces. This year, the program has expanded to include 50 stores in all provinces as well as online training options available three times per year. The program will continue to expand to more than 100 stores next year to reach as many smokers as possible.

“Run to Quit’s pilot program shows promising results in influencing measurable healthy behaviour and lifestyle change," said Dr. Jane Philpott, Minister of Health. "This innovative quit-smoking and active living program is a leading example of how government, the not-for-profit and the private sectors can work together to encourage healthier lifestyles for Canadians."

Emmanuelle Connelly was a smoker for more than 30 years. She started as a teen and tried to quit several times over the years, but it wasn’t until a routine mammogram gave her a health scare that she decided she really needed to quit urgently. Her aunt had suffered from cancer and Emmanuelle was determined to reduce her risk as much as possible.

“I have never been physically active and the thought of having to run in public intimidated me, even more than quitting smoking,” says Emmanuelle. ”But Run to Quit’s approach to quitting smoking and getting active was done in baby steps and the group kept me accountable. Once I overcame my first craving, I knew I could quit smoking and used the techniques I learned from the program. In the end, I quit smoking and I continue to run. It’s liberating to be able to lace up and run anytime I feel like it.”

Survey results show that 100% of participants who completed the program would recommend it to a friend who wanted to quit smoking.

“I am a former smoker, like so many of our Run to Quit trainers,” said John Stanton, founder and CEO of Running Room Canada. “It’s been a thrill and privilege to show people through Run To Quit how to identify as athletes and to commit to an athletic lifestyle with the help of our running and walking clinics. We look forward to welcoming current smokers to be lifetime athletes with the camaraderie and support of our running community.”

Additional information on survey results:

  • 1000 participants joined all streams of Run to Quit in 2016
    • 184 in-store clinics
    • 71 online clinics
    • 815 Do It Yourself program
  • 83 participants were interviewed as part of the six-month follow up survey
    • 40 per cent reported quitting smoking
    • 28 per cent were successful at not smoking for six whole months (since the training program ended)
    • 43 per cent per cent said they were also running on average three times a week.

Registration for Run to Quit is now open and available in all provinces across Canada. To register or for more information, visit runtoquit.com. Run to Quit is funded in part by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Thanks to quit partners NICODERM® and NICORETTE® all eligible participants will receive coupons for nicotine replacement therapy products to help them quit smoking.

Q&A to Researcher: Is the strength in this program the maintenance quit smoking rate and sustained physical activity rate six month after program completion? Or is the strength of the program that it gets people physically active while quitting smoking?
"I think that BOTH of these are huge assets of the program! We often don't see behaviour change maintained over time so the fact that we saw decent quit rates and a significant increase in physical activity and then saw this maintained is a really positive finding. It's also important to highlight that this program targets multiple health behaviours and therefore gives you more "bang for your buck" when it comes to health and a lifestyle change. Even if someone didn't quit, increasing physical activity is an important outcome. If you can do both (quit and increase activity), you're well on your way to numerous health benefits (in the case of quitting smoking, many of these health benefits are very immediate). In terms of bringing in the evaluation, our findings support that the program truly does target BOTH of these behaviours (smoking cessation and activity) and we saw significant changes in both."

About the Canadian Cancer Society

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. For more information, visit cancer.ca or call our toll-free bilingual Cancer Information Service at 1-888-939-3333 (TTY 1-866-786-3934)

Tonica Kombucha - Review

What is Kombucha?

According to Wikipedia:

Kombucha is a variety of fermented, lightly effervescent sweetened black or green tea drinks that are commonly intended as functional beverages for their supposed health benefits. Kombucha is produced by fermenting tea using a "symbiotic 'colony' of bacteria and yeast" (SCOBY). Actual contributing microbial populations in SCOBY cultures vary, but the yeast component generally includes Saccharomyces and other species, and the bacterial component almost always includes Gluconacetobacter xylinus to oxidize yeast-produced alcohols to acetic and other acids.

Although it has been claimed to have numerous health benefits, there is no good evidence that drinking kombucha has such effects.[1] By contrast, there are several documented cases of serious adverse effects, including fatalities, related to kombucha drinking, possibly arising from contamination during home preparation.[2][3] Since the mostly unclear benefits of kombucha drinking do not outweigh the known risks, it is not recommended for therapeutic use.[1]

Despite their being claims there is no good evidence. I think it affects other people differently. The Tonica is naturally carbonated, only 45 calories per bottle, organic, raw and GMO free. Its also made in Canada. However a lot of carbs for a drink. I would rather not drink my carbs personally. However, it was really tasty and thirst quenching. But then again so is water. Until theres some good scientific background to its claims I probably wont be drinking any more kombucha any time soon.

The Tonica is bowed and bottled with natural carbonation over the course of a full 10 day ferment. According to them their brew preserves the integrity of ancient kombucha and delights todays customer with their certified organic tea infusions.

Its certified USDA Organic, Canada Organic and certified Raw.

Visit the website for more information www.tonicakombucha.com

 

 

Thirteen Canadian health care organizations unite under one national framework for better patient care

Ensuring Canadian doctors have access to the world's best training model for patient care is a shared priority of 13 national and provincial health care organizations. Newly united under the CanMEDS Consortium, the organizations have pledged to embed a common set of values and competencies — the CanMEDS Framework — across the continuum of a Canadian doctor's education and career.

Represented by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), the consortium's mandate is simple — to improve patient care by using a consistent model to educate doctors in training and evaluate those in practice.

"Traditionally, CanMEDS has been used to train and evaluate new doctors during residency training, but the new consortium has pledged to embed CanMEDS values throughout their entire education and career, from the undergraduate years in medical school through to lifelong learning in practice," said Dr. Royal College CEO Dr. Andrew Padmos, FRCPC, FACP. "Each organization has pledged to embed CanMEDS in their respective areas of work. It's a move that represents a major step forward for the profession."

The CanMEDS Framework organizes the many competencies of a doctor under seven different roles: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Health Advocate, Scholar and Professional. Numerous organizations in Canada and abroad have used aspects of the CanMEDS model for up to 25 years. Going forward, the consortium will enable a more systematic and coordinated adoption across the country.

"We see the new consortium as a great way to enable use of the CanMEDS Framework for family physicians and all other specialists," said CFPC Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Francine Lemire, CCFP, FCFP, CAE. "It will help to guide continuing professional development throughout physicians' careers, create more consistent professional standards and support better outcomes for our patients."

A consistent approach to education and evaluation will increase efficiency for the organizations delivering the training and the physicians receiving it. It will also help the medical regulatory authorities — who monitor the professional behaviours of residents and licensed doctors — to evaluate them along the same benchmarks.

"The CanMEDS Framework is a pivotal part of our education programs and the AFMC is delighted to be a co-chair of this transformative consortium," said Dr. Geneviève Moineau, FRCPC, President and CEO of the AFMC. "The pan-Canadian collaboration to further CanMEDS is a wonderful statement of our commitment to physician education and a manifestation of our social accountability to patient care."

CanMEDS Consortium members include: 

  • The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • The College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
  • The Canadian Federation of Medical Students
  • The Canadian Medical Association
  • The Canadian Medical Protective Association
  • The Canadian Patient Safety Institute
  • The Collège des médecins du Québec
  • The Fédération médicale étudiante du Québec
  • The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada
  • The Fédération des médecins residents du Québec
  • The Medical Council of Canada
  • The Resident Doctors of Canada

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College) is the national, not-for-profit organization that oversees the medical education of specialists in Canada by setting high standards for postgraduate medical education and continuing professional development. In collaboration with health organizations and government agencies, the Royal College also plays a role in developing sound health policy in Canada.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) represents more than 35,000 members across the country. It is the professional organization responsible for establishing standards for the training and certification of family physicians. The CFPC reviews and accredits continuing professional development programs and materials that enable family physicians to meet certification and licencing requirements and lifelong learning interests. It also accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools. The College provides quality services, supports family medicine teaching and research, and advocates on behalf of family physicians and the specialty of family medicine.

The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) represents the country's 17 faculties of medicine and is the national voice for academic medicine. Our organization was founded in 1943 and functions to support individually and collectively Canada's medical schools through promotion of medical education, research, and clinical care. 

 

SOURCE Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Physician leadership needed to transform health care

CSPL white paper calls for changes to increase physician involvement

Effective reform of the Canadian health care system cannot occur without the involvement and leadership of physicians.

That's the main conclusion of "Accepting our responsibility: a blueprint for physician leadership in transforming Canada's health care system", a white paper prepared by the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders (CSPL).

The document outlines actions that must be undertaken by individual physicians, the medical profession as a whole, health care organizations, and governments to bolster the role of physicians as leaders to help change the system.

"The current framework for creating and supporting physician leaders in Canada today is disorganized, episodic, and limited in scope," said CSPL past-president and study co-author, Dr. Johny Van Aerde.

"While there are examples of physicians being meaningfully involved in helping shape health care transformation and innovation in Canada, these examples are limited," said Dr. Van Aerde, who is also clinical professor of pediatrics at the universities of British Columbia and Alberta.

Findings in the paper are based in part on the first-ever survey of physician leaders in Canada conducted by the CSPL, in partnership with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Centre for Health Innovation at the University of Manitoba.

Among the findings from the survey of 689 physician leaders:

  • Many physicians take on a leadership role with no compensation or only a minimal stipend
  • Only 54% of physicians in formal leadership roles are compensated for pursuing leadership training or education
  • Only 39% said they were involved in innovative projects in their organization

"Organizational policies often exclude physicians from meaningful leadership roles, but the culture of medicine must change to acknowledge the responsibility of physicians to the system as a whole," said Dr. Van Aerde.

The white paper contains a number of recommendations to enhance physician leadership and improve physician participation in health care reforms, including the following:

What physicians should do

  • Explore and challenge their personal mental models and the world views that restrict them from engaging in the health care system and realizing their potential as leaders.
  • Be willing personally to participate in and champion efforts by colleagues to understand the reform agenda within their provincial health care system and the implications for their own area of responsibility.
  • Take steps to negotiate appropriate working conditions for physicians in a reformed health care system.

What health care service organizations should do

  • Make changes in organizational structure and design, jointly advocated by the organization and physician representatives, to alter policies and practices toward involving physicians in informal and formal leadership roles.
  • Use informal and formal communications approaches to ensure that physicians are aware of organizational issues and priorities and are able to respond and provide feedback on such issues.

What provinces and medical associations should do

  • Initiate negotiations to formalize and support regional and organizational efforts to realize effective physician leadership and engagement.
  • Work with universities and health research agencies, both provincially and nationally, to identify best practices; either conduct or gather research on the impact of various models of physician leadership and engagement; and share that knowledge widely with potential partners.
  • Provide financial support for physician leadership development and remuneration for physicians in leadership roles.

What Canada should do

  • The Government of Canada and Health Canada are encouraged to endorse the recommendations of the Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation and, in the spirit of human resource development, instill in the national innovation hub strong support for physician leadership development and engagement.
  • The Canadian Medical Association should develop a policy statement that recognizes the importance of physician leadership in health care reform and, through its subsidiary, Joule, reform and expand its existing efforts to increase physician leadership.
  • The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, provincial colleges, and medical schools across the country should expand their efforts to embed leadership development in formal medical education and professional development.

"This paper is the first step toward improved physician engagement and leadership in the Canadian health care system," said Dr. Becky Temple, president-elect of the CSPL. "We are asking all stakeholders to initiate a dialogue and take action to support physician engagement and leadership in the context of their own organization or setting."

"The thoughtful and encompassing white paper from the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders is a valuable document, showing the way to the overdue health care reform urgently required in Canada.  The paper acknowledges the essential leadership of physicians in health system design and management at all levels, while also focusing on the required collaborative approach to system improvement.  Only by working in partnership with all stakeholders in the health care system may we expect to develop sustainable and high quality care," said Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Granger Avery.

"The document acknowledges the important step taken by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in changing its basic framework for medical education (CanMEDS 2015) to acknowledge the role of physician as 'leader'," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, president and CEO of the Royal College. "We agree with the CSPL that every physician is a leader and leaders can and should be found at all levels."

"Family physicians can be leaders, both in their local communities and at the national level," said Dr. Francine Lemire, executive director and CEO of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. "This white paper provides the rationale for all family physicians to consider taking leadership roles."

About the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders (CSPL)

The Canadian Society of Physicians Leaders is the "go to" organization for physician leaders. Since 1998, it has been providing support and development opportunities for Canadian physicians to help them succeed in their leadership and management roles in health care. The CSPL, with Joule (a CMA company), hosts the only annual meeting in Canada dedicated specifically to physician leadership.

 

SOURCE Canadian Society of Physician Leaders

For further information:

or to arrange an interview: Carol Rochefort, Executive Director, Canadian Society of Physician Leaders, 875 Carling Avenue, Suite 323, Ottawa ON, K1S 5P1, 613 369-8322, carol@physicianleaders.ca

The Terry Fox Research Institute, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and BC Cancer Agency launch innovative pilot project to accelerate precision medicine in Canada

 

http://www.tfri.ca/en/NewsEvents/news/news-releases-detail/2017/02/02/the-terry-fox-research-institute-princess-margaret-cancer-centre-and-bc-cancer-agency-launch-innovative-pilot-project-to-accelerate-precision-medicine-in-canada

In a national first, today the Terry Fox Research Institute and two leading cancer centres in Canada -- the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto and the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver -- launched an innovative pilot project to accelerate precision medicine for their cancer patients.

The initiative comes at a time when other developed countries are investing heavily in strategies to improve survival from cancer through precision medicine and increased collaboration. The pilot will provide much-needed evidence on how best to roll out a broader vision for data sharing and collaborative translational and clinical research to enable precision medicine for cancer patients.

The pilot is the first phase for developing and implementing a national program that will link high-performing comprehensive cancer research centres, hospitals and universities and their clinical and laboratory programs across Canada through the Terry Fox Designated Canadian Comprehensive Cancer Centres Network.

"With the support of The Terry Fox Foundation, TFRI is pleased to have provided catalytic funding to bring this novel and innovative research initiative forward. A project of this scope with two leading cancer care and research institutions working together in this way has never been done before," remarks Dr. Victor Ling, president and scientific director of the Terry Fox Research Institute. "Our ultimate goal through this collaboration is to create a national network of designated Terry Fox comprehensive cancer centres that will be able to deliver excellence in personalized and precision medicine from coast to coast to coast."

"As a world-leading comprehensive cancer centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has made strategic investments to enable personalized cancer therapy through efforts in immune therapy, genetic sequencing and molecular imaging, thanks to the ongoing support of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.  We are excited to participate in this new strategic partnership with the Terry Fox Research Institute and the BC Cancer Agency to enable collaborative efforts in these areas and to accelerate the implementation of effective, targeted therapies for patients," said Dr. Bradly Wouters, executive vice-president, science and research, University Health Network.

"This project will leverage BC's pioneering contributions in massively parallel sequencing and cutting-edge research in cancer immunology and molecular imaging.  Along with our funding partner, the BC Cancer Foundation, we are committed to excellence in cancer care and research and we are pleased to be a founding partner in this initiative. We will share our expertise and learn from each other to make a substantive difference for cancer patients in British Columbia and across Canada" said Dr. François Bénard, vice-president research at the BC Cancer Agency.

"As a long-time supporter and Terry Fox Run organizer who is inspired by Terry's selfless example, courage and unwavering determination, I am delighted to witness these world-leading organizations working together, bringing hope and innovative care to help more patients survive their cancers," said Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North-Burlington. "Terry Fox reminded us that anything is possible if we try. This partnership is an example of that."

Through the pilot project, these organizations will provide complementary analyses of specimens (e.g. tumour biopsies and blood samples), identify and determine ways to harmonize their research processes, set up an IT infrastructure for data sharing, and develop resources required to conduct multi-centre precision medicine clinical trials.  The initial focus will be on colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancers, with the goal of improving the health outcomes of patients through treatment by precision medicine.

Each organization is contributing $4 million over the next two years for a $12-million total investment that will see multidisciplinary teams focus on four specific research thrusts that are institutional priorities: genomics, immunotherapy, molecular imaging and data sharing.

Networking and shared efforts of comprehensive cancer centres already operate in many other countries, including the US and Europe.  A multimillion-dollar continuing annual investment from many funding sources is required for the pan-Canadian network to become fully operational.

Several national and international cancer experts have voiced their support for the TFRI-led initiative, saying that Canada already has many elements that would contribute to the network's success and its aim to transform cancer care so current and future generations will benefit from precision medicine.

About The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI)
Launched in October 2007, The Terry Fox Research Institute is the brainchild of The Terry Fox Foundation and today functions as its research arm. TFRI seeks to improve significantly the outcomes of cancer research for the patient through a highly collaborative, team-oriented, milestone-based approach to research that will enable discoveries to translate quickly into practical solutions for cancer patients worldwide. TFRI collaborates with over 70 cancer hospitals and research organizations across Canada. TFRI headquarters are in Vancouver, BC. www.tfri.ca

About Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre has achieved an international reputation as a global leader in the fight against cancer and delivering personalized cancer medicine. The Princess Margaret, one of the top five international cancer research centres, is a member of the University Health Network, which also includes Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the Michener Institute for Education; all affiliated with the University of Toronto. For more information, go to www.theprincessmargaret.ca or www.uhn.ca.

About BC Cancer Agency
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. For more information, visit www.bccancer.bc.ca or follow us Twitter @BCCancer_Agency.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with any of the institutional leads, please contact:TFRI: Kelly Curwin, 604-675-8223; 778-237-8158 (cell) kcurwin@tfri.ca

PM/UHN: Jane Finlayson, Public Affairs, (416)946-2846 jane.finlayson@uhn.ca
BCCA:  Pamela Gole, Communications, 604-877-6282 pamela.gole@bccancer.bc.ca
Pilot Project Backgrounder: http://www.tfri.ca/docs/default-source/default-document-library/pilot-project-backgrounder-f.pdf

Q&A about The Terry Fox Canadian Comprehensive Cancer Centres Network: http://www.tfri.ca/docs/default-source/research/tf4cn-faq_v7_online.pdf

SOURCE Terry Fox Research Institute

Medcan to bring health technology to employers across Canada

Medcan is partnering with leading health content and technology companies to provide mobile and digital applications to help inspire people to live well and adopt healthy behaviours.

"Medcan has always focused on behaviour change to drive better health outcomes.   By moving onto a digital health platform, we are striving to reach more clients in ways that are convenient for them and on an ongoing, more personalized basis," says Shaun Francis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Medcan. "Currently, Medcan's virtual care offering allows clients to have a video medical appointment from anywhere in Canada via their mobile device. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what we want to achieve."

Francis adds that the solutions Medcan offers employers today will continue to evolve, with an even deeper focus on solving for some of the most challenging issues employers face in keeping all employees healthy and productive.

Francis explains: "Employers are faced with the rising costs of prescription drugs, absenteeism, and disability leave, associated with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other chronic conditions. They are also motivated to enhance their commitment to supporting employees with mental health conditions, and solve for the increasing prevalence and business impact of mental illness. We want our services to be extended to employees at all levels, to educate them and inspire them to make the right choices and address their health needs.  Our platform and solutions will support employees with chronic conditions in developing healthy habits and reversing downward health trends."

To achieve these priorities, Medcan is building partnerships with relevant digital health navigation and care journey providers. "We want to be relevant to all employees in all stages and situations.  We are driving toward a solution that serves our clients where, when, and how they need care most," says Francis.

About Medcan
Medcan provides organizations and individuals with services that inspire them to live well through achieving their very best health – in both body and mind. Medcan offers a comprehensive range of screening and diagnostic assessments, which, in combination with innovative programs tailored to specific needs, are designed to successfully reach improved health outcomes. The Medcan team of 350 staff includes more than 65 physicians. For more information, visit www.medcan.com.

SOURCE Medcan

Celebrate Canada150 by Train!
Win a Rail Vacation from CanadaRail.ca at Canada's Marathon 

Canada's Marathon – Scotiabank Calgary Marathon – is pulling out all the stops for Canada's Sesquicentennial, including partnering with a celebrated Canadian artist on a commemorative Toonie medal and giving away a trip for two by rail, courtesy of CanadaRail.ca.

Not only will participants experience the Coast to Coast to Coast course when they run in the 2017 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, runners will also take home a piece of Canadiana thanks to the generosity of well known Canadian artist and illustrator, David Crighton.  His iconic 1995 illustration titled "Canada Coast to Coast" was originally commissioned by a Canadian Corporation that had offices in 5 major Canadian cities – east to west, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.  Now the illustration will be on the 2017 finisher's ribbons and technical T-shirts for participants.

"We are proud to partner with David to commemorate such a special year for Canada. Runners will experience the coast to coast to coast course on race day and take home both their finisher's medal and t-shirt with David's beautiful illustration to remind them of their achievement and Canada's Sesquicentennial," says Executive Director of Run Calgary, Kirsten Fleming.

David Crighton was born in Edmonton, son of an Anglican minister, his father's career took him to Ontario where the family eventually settled in Toronto.  A love of cartoon doodling leads him to enter Central Technical High Schools Art Program in 1973.   It was here that he found his first success with his talents as an architectural illustrator when given a project to go out and illustrate a building.   The rest, as they say is history.  David's ability to capture the memories and heart of a city and its communities through illustrations of its iconic landmarks is legend.

"I am thrilled my artwork has been selected to represent the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Race Weekend in honour of Canada's 150th Birthday in the province of my birth." says David Crighton,

Runners will experience the diversity and charm of the entire country as the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is paying tribute to the Sesquicentennial by adding experiences along the course unique to the different parts of Canada. You can kiss a cod in Newfoundland, eat watermelon with a Rider fan in Saskatchewan and get your medal from a cowboy in Alberta.

Register for any of the distances (from 5K to the special one-time only 150K in celebration of the Sesquicentennial) and you will receive a unique technical white t-shirt with David's illustration sublimated across the bottom and your distance on the back of the shirt. When you finish the race, you'll receive a commemorative Toonie medal with the same illustration on each ribbon.

And finishing the race will enter your bib number in a draw. If you win, you will enjoy a four-day tour travelling aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff to Vancouver in style. The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is partnering with CanadaRail.ca to give away two tickets aboard the luxury train for a four-day trip from Banff to Vancouver worth $5800.

"As runners we see parts and pieces of the country by foot while we train and when we race. Having the opportunity to see parts of the country by train is a pretty special way to celebrate crossing the finish line at Canada's Marathon and commemorating this momentous year for our country," says Fleming.

CanadaRail.ca is a Canadian company, based out of Calgary, dedicated to sharing the wonder and beauty of the country with its clients.

"It's an experience you will never forget, seeing the beauty and splendor of the Rockies while enjoying the luxury and service of the Rocky Mountaineer is a memorable way to top off the achievement of a big race during this milestone year for Canada," says Martin Flanagan, CEO of CanadaRail.ca on partnering with Run Calgary on this unique prize.

Register for any of the distances (from 5K to the special one-time only 150K in celebration of the Sesquicentennial) and cross the finish line on May 28 and you will be entered in the draw. The catch? You have to be in the stands to claim your prize and will only have one minute to make your way to the stage from the 17,000 seats in the Grandstand. The draw will be made at random by a computer that has all the bibs that have crossed the line at 2:01p.m., one minute after the finish line closes.

CanadaRail.ca Video & Trip Details:
http://canadarail.ca/specials/charity/hope
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cALrfgeLkYw
Images of medals and t-shirts Courtesy: Dave Holland

SOURCE Scotiabank Calgary Marathon

Let's talk about the prevalence of youth suicide and take action, say Ontario Psychiatrists

Report shows that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death of young people 

Suicide is the leading cause of death among Canadians age 15 to 34, after car accidents, says an alarming report from Ontario Psychiatrists. But unlike car accidents, the report identifies that the number of suicides across Canada has remained unchanged for more than four decades, with 70 per cent of mental health issues starting in childhood and suicide accounting for 24 per cent of all deaths among young people.  Ontario Psychiatrists are calling for immediate action, releasing a report that makes strong recommendations and calls on government to mend system gaps and reduce the risk of suicide among Canadian youth.

"Despite the prevalence of mental illness and suicide among young Canadians, today's society is still facing challenges around stigma and access to services making it far too hard for our youth to get the care they need," said Dr. Diana Kljenak, Co-Chair of the Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists. "Heroic efforts by Bell Let's Talk and others within our health care system, government and communities are made everyday to encourage discussion around suicide and mental illness, but we need action. Now."

The report Stemming the Tide: Strengthening youth suicide prevention in Ontario and in Canada, was developed by Ontario Psychiatrists with input from Ontario policy analysts, national mental health organizations, clinicians, researchers, as well as psychiatrists and individuals with lived experience with suicide. Outlining the current state of mental health and youth suicide, the report points to system gaps and funding issues as areas in need of improvement.

Ontario Psychiatrists identify the need for greater leadership on the issue and list seven challenges and recommendations to address the problem of youth suicide:

  1. Invest in better mental health support for children.
  2. Close the system gaps.
  3. Build better care coordination and service alignment.
  4. Improve the collection and quality of data.
  5. Provide better access to funding.
  6. Provide better support for parents, families, caregivers and communities.
  7. Invest in child and youth mental health research.

"The federal and Ontario government have agreed that our mental health system needs to improve in order to meet the needs of Canadians whether they are in crisis, at risk of crisis or averted a crisis," said Dr. Gary Chaimowitz, Co-Chair of the Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists. "Suicide is a symptom of mental illness. By taking action to address mental illness and improving access to treatment, we will improve care and reduce the suicide rate among young Canadians."

About the Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists: The Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists is a formal partnership of the Ontario Psychiatric Association and the Section on Psychiatry of the Ontario Medical Association. The Coalition represents over 1,900 psychiatrists in Ontario. One of the Coalition's primary goals is to advocate for improved mental health services in Ontario and to work with other stakeholders and government to develop better policy. Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and provide high quality mental health services to Ontarians.

SOURCE Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists

Whole Health Pharmacy Partners and #SickNotWeak work together to provide better support for patients with mental health needs through pharmacies.

"Our new partnership with Michael Landsberg and #SickNotWeak is exciting, because we know there is a real need for more tools and training in pharmacies to better serve the mental health needs of  our communities," commented Dean Miller, CEO of Whole Health Pharmacy Partners. "Between driving awareness, providing more education and resources, and connecting to the #SickNotWeak community, we believe our pharmacies will be better positioned to support mental health needs."

The first initiative in this new partnership is #Here4MentalHealth, which is a program designed to raise awareness of mental health needs within the pharmacy, and the communities they serve.  After completing extensive patient and caregiver research, a comprehensive program was developed and includes:

  1. Education day with specialized training from a multidisciplinary team deepening capabilities of pharmacy staff to support patients in their respective communities.
  2. Handouts developed through conversations with patients and caregivers, so the contents are inspired and guided by people who truly understand the experience.
  3. In-store peer-to-peer support through interactive weekly challenges encouraging people to share their tips and perspectives related to the management of their mental health needs.
  4. Mental Health Mondays, wherein pharmacy staff will be wearing #SickNotWeak attire to build awareness for mental health.
  5. Social media campaign highlighting the findings from the patient and caregiver research, and engaging online communities about mental health.
  6. Downloadable support tools for all pharmacists interested in delivering better care for these patients.

The #Here4MentalHealth supports Canada's mental health strategy Changing Directions, Changing Lives, by supporting the recommendation to "Provide access to the right combination of services, treatments and supports, when and where people need them."

Michael Landsberg, the founder of #SickNotWeak, added, "We patients know so much about being on the receiving end of health care.  Whole Health Pharmacy Partners came to us and asked how they can do a better job on the giving end. This is rare and amazing.  These conversations helped build tools that will make a significant difference in the lives of people who can really use the support."

"Given that most people see their pharmacist more regularly than they see their physician, we think this initiative will make the burden that so many patients feel they carry around, a little bit lighter.  And sometimes that little bit of help can make all the difference," says Michael Landsberg.

With one in five Canadians being affected by mental health problems or illness, there is a real need to deliver better care at pharmacy.  Especially since patients often overlook the pharmacy as a source of support and help for mental health needs.

Dean Miller added, "We want patients and caregivers to know that the pharmacy is a safe and accessible place to get additional help and support.  The uniqueness of the contents for this initiative is that it was effectively developed by patients, for patients, which is not as common as you'd expect.  After #Here4MentalHealth launches, we will continue to work with the #SickNotWeak organization to develop more programs which can connect with patients through a deeper understanding of their needs, and what works for them."

About Whole Health Pharmacy Partners
One of Canada's newest and fastest growing pharmacy banners, with stores from British Columbia to Ontario, Whole Health Pharmacy Partners is a like-minded partnership of independent pharmacists, committed to delivering the best possible patient programs and a business model that helps ensure long-term sustainability.  Along with over 20 stores already part of the network, hundreds of pharmacists have already expressed interest in this unique new model that offers partners: Long-Term Equity, Transparency, Operational Autonomy, Geographic Exclusivity, and Proven Leadership.  For more information visit www.wholehealthpharmacy.ca.

About #SickNotWeak
Founded by Michael Landsberg, #SickNotWeak is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping people understand that mental illness is a sickness, not a weakness. With his decades-long television career, combined with his decades-long battle with depression and anxiety, Landsberg is uniquely qualified to fight back against the stigma that surrounds mental illness. #SickNotWeak hopes to lead by Landsberg's example of approaching the conversation surrounding mental illness in a raw and candid way, mixed with a dash of that Landsberg attitude and humour. For more information visit www.SickNotWeak.com.

RELATED LINKS: http://www.wholehealthpharmacy.ca; http://www.sicknotweak.com

The launch of Dexcom Canada will reshape how Canadians living with diabetes access and use continuous glucose monitoring

Dexcom Inc., the leader in Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), has expanded with Canadian headquarters

Dexcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM) announced today that it is expanding its global presence with a new Canadian headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia. The move aims to make it easier for more Canadians to get started with CGM.

The launch of Dexcom (Canada) Inc. means that Canadians living with diabetes can expect enhanced customer experience and support, and the ability to purchase CGM systems directly at Dexcom.com/Canada. This expansion reflects Dexcom's mission and commitment to make it easier for Canadians living with diabetes to experience the benefits of CGM for diabetes management. Unlike blood glucose testing which gives a number for a single point in time, CGM shows where glucose is, where it's going, and how fast it's getting there – so patients can take quick action to avoid dangerous glucose events or increase time spent in range.

"Dexcom is committed to transforming diabetes care and management by delivering best-in-class solutions and by responding to the needs of the community," explains Kevin Sayer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dexcom. "We are excited to share our dedication to driving better outcomes and improved quality of life for people living with diabetes in Canada."

Dexcom's new Canadian operation coincides with the launch of the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM system. It is the only CGM system in North America approved to replace painful fingerprick glucose testing for diabetes treatment decisions, making it a significant leap forward in diabetes management (fingerpricks are only needed every 12 hours to calibrate). The Dexcom G5 is also the first and only fully mobile CGM system that sends glucose data directly to a compatible smart device. Securely transmitted every five minutes, this glucose information allows for real-time diabetes management.

The Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System is approved to use in patients as young as 2 years of age, without the need for confirmatory fingerpricks. And with the ability to share data, parents can remotely monitor their child's glucose information and receive alerts – for peace of mind while their child is beyond their supervision.

"When I'm running long distances, hypos are a constant danger," explains endurance athlete Sébastien Sasseville, who lives with Type 1 diabetes. "With the Dexcom G5, I get glucose readings every five minutes so I know right where I stand, and where I'm headed. I can act immediately to bring my levels into the right zone. And all of this data is right on my phone, so I don't have to carry around my receiver which was a hassle. But the best part is I don't have to stop mid-run and do annoying, painful fingerpricks – I can really just focus on the finish line." With the help of his Dexcom CGM system, Sasseville has completed six Ironman Triathlons, run the Sahara Race, and, most recently, run 7,200 kilometres across Canada, the equivalent of 170 marathons.

The Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System will be available within the first quarter of 2017. And marking Dexcom's commitment to helping Canadians access this technology, the company will be offering monthly pricing options for the first time globally. Canadians interested in the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM system and staying up to date on its launch are encouraged to visit Dexcom.com/Canada.

About Diabetes and Continuous Glucose Monitoring
With diabetes, the body cannot produce or use the hormone insulin effectively, causing a buildup of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. People with diabetes who take insulin must monitor their blood glucose levels frequently. Uncontrolled glucose can cause health complications and even death.i,ii

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is considered the most significant breakthrough in diabetes management in the past 40 years.iii CGM is important because, in addition to providing the glucose level, it provides the direction and rate of glucose change with the push of a button and alerts users when glucose is too low or too high with built-in and customizable alarms. A recent study showed that after one year, patients with type 1 diabetes who used CGM alone had significant A1C reductions regardless of the type of insulin delivery method used, including insulin pumps.iv

About Dexcom, Inc.
Dexcom, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, CA, and has operations in Canada, is dedicated to helping people better manage their diabetes by developing and marketing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) products and tools for adult and pediatric patients. With exceptional performance, patient comfort and lifestyle flexibility at the heart of its technology, users have consistently ranked Dexcom highest in customer satisfaction and loyalty.v For more information on the Dexcom CGM, visit www.dexcom.com.

References
i Hyperglycemia (High blood glucose). American Diabetes Association Web site. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html. Updated August 5, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013.
ii Hypoglycemia (Low blood glucose). American Diabetes Association Web site. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html. Updated July 16, 2013. Accessed December 3, 2013.
iii Clarke SF and Foster JR. A history of blood glucose meters and their role in self-monitoring of diabetes mellitus. Br J Biomed Sci. 2012;(3)2:83-93.
iv J. Soupal, J. Skrha Prazny, M. Flekac, L. Petruzelkova, J. Skrha, et al. Comparison of different treatment modalities for Type 1 diabetes including Sensor-Augmented Insulin Regimens (SAIR), in 52 weeks of follow ups: A COMISAIR Study. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. Vol 18, No. 9, Sept. 2016.
v dQ&A research, 2009-2016