Being Well Summer 2015 by Being Well

HELPING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LIVE LIFE …

WELL

SUMMeR 2015 vOLUMe 10, ISSUe 3

CaNCer SCreeNINg

saving lives at Southlake

Gluten-free Health or hype? the vaCCINatIoN

deBate

Keeping our kids and our community healthy

Nicole Forrester

An insider’s guide to the Pan Am Games Publication Number 40036321

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HELPING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LIVE LIFE …

WELL

cover story nicole forrester celebrates Her Winning Jump in tHe 2008 canadian track and field trials. tHe Win Qualified Her to compete in tHe summer olympics in beiJing. RICHARD LAUTENS, TORONTO STAR

Summer 2015 vOLUMe 10, ISSUe 3

in every issue 2 Message from Southlake 5 Well Notes 14 Partners in Care Supporting hospice care in loving memory of Jeff Graham 34 Behind the Scenes In good faith 38 Hospital News Keep it simple: International study led by Southlake physician proves simple is better when treating serious heart conditions 39 Health Care: A look ahead

22 niCoLe ForreSter An insider’s guide to the Pan Am Games

40 Foundation News Run or Walk for Southlake surpasses goal 41 Community Event Listings 42 Last Word It’s time to butt out at patios, playgrounds and sports fields

feature stories 6 The vaccination debate Keeping our kids and our community healthy 8 Fail fast, succeed early: CreateIT Now at Southlake 10 Beyond the pool Try these fun summer activities!

12 Clutter crisis The dangers of seniors and hoarding

30 Blinded by the light Protect your eyes this summer

16 Cancer screening saving lives at Southlake

32 Camping crashers! Don’t let these plants ruin your time outside

18 Our People supporting our hospital 26 Gluten-free Health or hype?

36 A little extra sleep is good for you Southlake study suggests disturbed sleep a risk for cardiac patients

28 Aquaponics Another option for local food

44 5 summer water safety tips

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MESSAGE from Southlake

Each and every day, lives are being transformed at Southlake. It’s not just the lives of our patients, but their families, too. Like the teenage boy whose dad is alive to guide him during some of the most formative years of his life. Or the new parents who are finally able to bring their daughter home after spending the first few weeks of her life at her side in the neonatal intensive care unit. Every one of our patients – and their families – has a story to tell. And in each one of these stories, our generous community members are the heroes.

neila poscente PRESIDENT & CEO SOUTHLAKE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE FOUNDATION dr. dave Williams PRESIDENT & CEO SOUTHLAKE REGIONAL HEALTH CENTRE

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“Transform a Life at Southlake” – this was the uniting statement that inspired us all in the 2014/15 fiscal year. A statement inspired by our community and our loyal family of donors. As we reflect on everything we have achieved over the last fiscal year, we understand that our success not only reflects us as an organization but, more importantly, all of us as partners in care. We also realize that, with over 600,000 patient visits happening at Southlake each year, so many of our family members, friends and neighbours will depend on you, our community, in the next year. It’s up to each and every one of us to ensure that Southlake’s health care team has the most up-to-date tools and equipment that we can get them. Our patients deserve nothing less. Many people do not know this, but hospitals do not receive funding for new or replacement hospital equipment, outside of capital builds. We depend solely on community donations to upgrade equipment. Here is a sampling of our critical equipment needs this year:

eSSeNtIal SoUthlaKe CoNtaCt INformatIoN

SUrgICal eQUIpmeNt

Careers at Southlake: 905-895-4521, ext. 2535 careers@southlakeregional.org

From anesthesia machines to orthopaedic saws to monitors, scopes and beyond, our surgical department needs program-wide upgrades to replace aging equipment. Southlake is home to some of the best and brightest in surgical care and we need the most advanced tools to support them. This team performs some of the most complex procedures in our hospital. You can help make sure that they have everything they need to transform lives.

paedIatrIC eQUIpmeNt Thousands of babies and children are treated at Southlake every year and our paediatric team goes above and beyond to ensure our littlest patients get the best care possible. Equipment that is specific to the needs and requirements of children is desperately needed across this program. From neonatal beds for preemies, to birthing unit equipment, to specialized monitoring devices for kids, your gifts support the care of these precious little ones at Southlake.

BedS Over the next three years, Southlake must replace almost every bed across the hospital. Used in every department, for tiny babies and long-term care patients, we are depending on you to help support this most basic need in our hospital. Your gift will ensure that everyone admitted to Southlake sleeps more soundly. This year, in partnership with you, our community, we will raise funds for the vast equipment needs across our hospital. We know that we can always count on your support because you are part of the Southlake story. As the story unfolds we are more inspired than ever by the power of a committed group of donors and what they can achieve. As partners in the care of our loved ones and yours, your generosity truly is transforming lives at our hospital. We see the proof every day.

to donate toward hospital-wide equipment upgrades that will help transform lives in our community, visit southlakefoundation.ca or call 905-836-7333 Your stories make us who we are. if you would like to share a story of how Southlake transformed your life, please contact Jenn rae at jrae@southlakeregional.org or 905-836-7333, ext. 5104

All hospital enquiries: 905-895-4521 Volunteering at Southlake: 905-895-4521, ext. 2104 volunteers@southlakeregional.org

To give us feedback on the care received: Patient Relations Oﬃce 905-895-4521, ext. 2290 For information on making a donation: visit southlakefoundation.ca or contact the Southlake Foundation at 905-836-7333, 1-877-457-2036 or Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation Medical Arts Building 102-581 Davis Dr. Newmarket, ON L3Y 2P6 foundation@southlakeregional.org

Need a famIly doCtor? For a current list of physicians taking new patients: • Visit southlakeregional.org and click on “Healthcare Professionals” or call Southlake at 905-895-4521, ext. 6913; or • Visit Healthcare Connect at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.

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Window & Door PUBLISHER Ian Proudfoot REGIONAL GENERAL MANAGER Sean Sauve EDITOR Lee Ann Waterman SOUTHLAKE EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Andrea Griepsma, Claire M. Jones, Tammy La Rue, Dionne Malcolm, Kathryn Perrier, Jenn Rae CONTRIBUTORS Sheena Campbell, Jim Craigmyle, Susan Finkelstein, Cathy Hillard, Bill Hodgins, Sue Kanhai, Joe La Marca, Andrew Livingstone, Joann MacDonald, Rebecca Reid ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Debra Weller ADVERTISING MANAGER Jennifer Kopacz SALES REPRESENTATIVES Melanie Attridge, Zepure Bakmazian, Robin Boswell, Jeremy Brown, Judy Fulton, Carola McKee, Trish Miller-Kostin, Matt Monfaredi Regional Director, Production and Creative Services Katherine Porcheron GRAPHIC DESIGNER Michelle Al-Jbouri DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Rob Lazurko DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Carol Lamb Beingwell is published three times a year by York Region Media Group, a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd., in partnership with Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the Publisher. Publication Number 40036321

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The material in this publication is intended for general information purposes only and, while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the material, it does not constitute advice or carry the specific endorsement of either York Region Media Group or Southlake Regional Health Centre/Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Readers are encouraged to consult their doctor to discuss their health concerns.

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“What’s the value of sport? I love that question.” So said Nicole Forrester, former elite athlete and member of the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games Athlete Advisory Council, during the interview for our cover story. As you’ll read, Ms Forrester, who calls our area “home” despite now living, working and teaching in the Niagara area, sees huge value in sport. She points out how it positively impacts two of the things we treasure most as Canadians: health and education. She’s convinced that exposure to sports at an early age— through family, school or community, by signing up for organized sports, playing road hockey or pick-up basketball or tuning into international competitions like this summer’s Pan Am and Parapan Am Games—can have a lasting influence on your life. While Ms Forrester’s story is a powerful illustration of this, we all can probably find examples from our own circle of family and friends to support this: from the child who builds confidence and learns the value of teamwork from a few seasons in minor sports to a talented teen who gets a post-secondary scholarship to the adult who finds fitness

and camaraderie in a running club or recreational ball league. Perhaps Ms Forrester will inspire you to make sports a bigger part of your life. This issue is packed with information to help you and your family have a safe, enjoyable and active summer. We have details about area Pan Am and Parapan Am events you may want to attend and we sourced out some local activities—treetop trekking, moonlit movies and more—to get you to go beyond the backyard. Southlake ophthalmologist Dr. Eugene Liu offers advice on how to protect your eyes from the summer sun and we’ve compiled a primer on poisonous plants, how to identify and what to do if you come into contact them. We also bring you the latest news from Southlake Regional Health Centre including a profile of CreateIT Now at Southlake, a program that provides support and access for health-focused innovators so they can bring viable products to the North American market, and a conversation with a few of the many staff members who participated in Southlake’s Hospital Family Giving campaign, raising more than $220,000.

I hope you enjoy this issue. We welcome your feedback at beingwell@yrmg.com.

Correction In the Winter 2015 issue of beingwell, the Message from Southlake (page 3) references the use of the Nanostim Leadless Pacemaker Device by Southlake’s Regional Cardiac Care Program. This device is currently the subject of investigational testing by Health Canada and is not approved for regular sale in Canada. The article in beingwell should in no way be construed as endorsement or advertising for this product. summer 2 0 1 5

The vaccination debate Keeping our kids and our community healthy by Sheena Campbell

From the news to the playground, it’s hard to escape the vaccination debate. And with so much conflicting and unreliable information available, it’s no wonder some Canadians have concerns about the safety of vaccines and are hesitant about immunizing their children. The reality though, according to a significant majority of scientists and health experts, is that vaccinations are safe, effective and one of the best things we can do to protect the health of our family and the community at large. 6

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Widespread publicly funded immunization programs have been called one of the greatest public health achievements of all time, having eradicated a range of dangerous diseases that used to be common and widespread. Dr. Paul Cantarutti is the chief of the department of family and community medicine at Southlake Regional Health Centre. A primary care provider who has practised in York Region for over two decades, he cautions that the success of routine immunization may be creating a false sense of security.

“We are so far into the immunization phase of modern medicine that we forget the difficulties that families had with horrifying illnesses such as polio, diphtheria and tetanus,” he says. “People need to be reminded that vaccinations prevent very serious and potentially lethal diseases.” Dr. Cantarutti explains that when a critical percentage of the population is successfully vaccinated, it provides community-wide protection, including for those who are too young or sick to be immunized. On the other

hand, when too many people decline vaccinations, it can lead to a resurgence of illnesses that had been declared “eliminated,” at least in this part of the world. This may explain why cases of measles popped up across Ontario this past winter, including one confirmed case in York Region. According to the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), although most Canadian children are immunized on time, up to 20 per cent of parents either have concerns about immunization or even delay or refuse recommended vaccines altogether. For many, fear about the safety of vaccines is behind their angst. This is despite the rigorous testing and approval process for vaccines in Canada, which the CPS says are held to a higher standard than drugs. In fact, CPS says that Canadians benefit from our government’s cautious approach, often only approving vaccines after they have been in use in other countries for some time,

resulting in historical data on safety and effectiveness. Much of the current anxiety around vaccinations can be traced back to an old study by a British researcher published in the Lancet medical journal in 1998. The study, which linked the vaccine for measles to autism, has since been discredited and even called “fraudulent”. And although dozens of other studies since have found no evidence that the vaccine causes autism, the belief that this connection exists is one reason for lower immunization rates in some areas of Europe and North America. Further, there is a significant body of research that indicates almost all vaccines actually cause few or minimal side effects. “Immunizations have a long and wellstudied background and history and have been established to be safe for the vast majority of people,” says Dr. Cantarutti. “When considering both individual health and the health of the community, the studies, without doubt, have overwhelmingly endorsed the universal use of immunizations for children.” Vaccines, like any medication, can cause side effects, however these are usually mild (such as redness, swelling or a rash at the injection site) and resolve quickly. Acute side effects, including severe allergic reactions, are rare. More troubling are the complications that can arise from the illnesses that vaccines prevent. Take measles for example, which can be especially dangerous and even fatal for babies and young children. Many children under the age of five with measles require hospitalization, and, for some, the illness can lead to health issues such as pneumonia, hearing loss or even brain damage. Despite being safe and effective for most people, Dr. Cantarutti says there are some contra-indications to being immunized, for example if a child is allergic to any component in a specific vaccine or has a bad reaction to a first dose. Most health care providers elect to wait if a child is currently ill with a fever. Children with compromised immune systems (from illnesses or the medications they take to control the illness) also may not follow the routine immunization schedule. Just as they would for any other treatment for their children, Dr. Cantarutti encourages parents to do their research and rely on factual information from credible sources, including the family’s primary care provider, to inform

More information on vaccination is available at health.gov.on.ca, healthyontario.ca and york.ca.

their decision around immunizations. “Although every intervention you can do for your children has potential side effects, in my 26 years of practice, I have never seen a young patient experience a severe, debilitating or long-term side effect from receiving a vaccination,” he says. “Immunization is one of the best gifts you can give your kids and yourself — that sense of safety and comfort knowing they are protected against so many serious illnesses.”

Vaccinations in ontario A long list of diseases are prevented through Ontario’s universal immunization program, including chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, tetanus and whooping cough. Vaccines work best when given at the right age and start as early as two months. Each province sets its own detailed immunization schedule, eligibility criteria and catch-up schedules for those who did not receive vaccinations on time. Your family doctor or public health office can provide the most up-to-date information, or visit ontario. ca/vaccines. GO MOBILE The Public Health Agency of Canada has developed ImmunizeCA, a free mobile app that helps families manage vaccination records and provides information and access to immunization schedules across the country. The app is available for download at immunize.ca ROUTINE VACCINES • Chickenpox • Diphtheria • Influenza • Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B • Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) • Human papillomavirus (HPV) • Measles, mumps and rubella • Meningococcal disease • Polio • Pneumococcal • Rotavirus • Rubella • Tetanus • Whooping cough

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JIM CRAIGMYLe PHOTOGRAPH

FaiL FaST, SUcceed eaRLY

CreateIt Now at Southlake BY JOANN MACDONALD

gary ryan, cHief innovation officer and pat clifford, director of researcH, lead createit noW at soutHlake.

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f you had a bold new idea for a cleaning product or a time-saving app, you’d likely test it with your friends and neighbours to see if it would fly. If that idea involved an innovative new stethoscope or a heart monitor, however, your friends and neighbours might not be much help. That’s where CreateIT Now at Southlake Regional Health Centre comes in. The twoyear-old program provides support for healthfocused innovators so they can bring viable products to the North American market. In addition to doling out the business advice in collaboration with ventureLab, its Regional Innovation Centre Partner, CreateIT Now at Southlake offers the unique opportunity to bring products straight to the clinicians who can determine if they will actually work. “We provide the ability to assess your product in the environment in which you want to sell it,” says Gary Ryan, Chief Innovation Officer at Southlake. “We’re the retail experts for health care.” When medical start-ups fail, they are often detached from the health care environment. CreateIT Now at Southlake is built around a philosophy of “fail fast, succeed early.” The program offers entrepreneurs unmatched levels of access to hospital clinicians and staff as they develop and test their products, providing insights that can shape these products or demonstrate why they won’t work. “Most patients receive care at community hospitals like Southlake,” says Pat Clifford, Director of Research and Innovation. “We are hugely rich in clinicians and frontline staff who live and breathe this innovative technology every day.” Mr. Clifford gives the example of an entrepreneur working on a new stethoscope. “Is it faster, lighter, innovative, brand new?” he asks. “We look for that continuum from a little bit of a change to revolutionary. We can plug entrepreneurs in with the clinicians who can provide valuable feedback.” CreateIT Now staff work on-site at Southlake’s Innovation Centre with partners, including York University and ventureLAB. York University faculty members provide entrepreneurs with qualified, independent research that may serve as a future marketing tool. VentureLAB, York Region’s partner in the Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs, provides business advice and mentorship. CreateIT Now also offers subsidized working space for entrepreneurs. “Whenever a company comes out with something new, there’s always a big cost,” Mr. Ryan says. “The faster you can get your product out in a mature format, the better your chances are to be successful. With us, they don’t have to shop around to find a hospital that can help. That’s saving them time and money.” As a full-service hospital, Southlake has a clinically advanced focus in areas including arthritis care, cancer care, cardiac care, cataract surgery, chronic disease management, mental

health services and more. The hospital provides care to more than one million people in York Region and Simcoe County. While CreateIT Now assists anybody who wants entry into the North American market, including American and international partners, both big and small, the hope is that it will speed up the creation process for Canadian companies. Canada ranks third in spending on research and development, yet ranks 13 out the Conference Board of Canada’s peer countries, commercializing that research. “We are an incubator. We are here to support Ontario businesses—entrepreneurs creating in their garage, basement or small industrial unit,” Mr. Clifford says. “We’re trying to make Canada more competitive in the health care area,” Mr. Ryan says. “The benefit to us is that we get to use that product faster at Southlake.” Adds Mr. Clifford, “Clinicians are being introduced to new technology before it’s on the market. We get the advantage of being able to work with that technology and potentially reduce some of our costs.” Depending on the partnership agreement, entrepreneurs may provide Southlake with a discount on the final product or free product. Southlake is currently working with Engage Biomechanics Inc., developer of wireless technology that tracks bedridden patients’ movements. Developed from research at York University, the technology provides nurses with on-screen data showing when and in which direction a patient has moved. The monitor alerts care providers when a patient hasn’t moved for two hours, thereby potentially reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers. “This could be transformational for hospitals,” Mr. Ryan says. “We look at that level of technology and go, ‘Wow, we want that as of today.’” With both the Town of Newmarket and York Region on board, the CreateIT Now team hopes to increase York Region’s health care profile. “We’d love Newmarket to be the Silicon Valley of health care,” Mr. Ryan says. “With many health care companies side by side, it would create a cluster and drive innovation.” CreateIT Now at Southlake emerged from the hospital’s strategic plan, to build a centre of innovation that would enable the health care centre to “seek and share better solutions.” It speaks well of the hospital’s culture that an innovative program such as this one receives support, Mr. Ryan says. “We’ve long been encouraged to push the envelope. Now our CEO, Dr. Dave Williams, has said, ‘Let’s add innovation on top of that, too.’ We’re well on track to becoming a leading centre for innovation.”

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BeyoNd the pool...

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ROBeRT JONeS PHOTOGRAPH

gaze at tHe stars at tHe david dunlap observatory in ricHmond Hill.

try theSe fUN SUmmer aCtIvItIeS! BY SUe KANHAI

While it may seem hard to imagine right now, there will indeed come a time this summer when you’re finally ready to get out of the pool and explore beyond the backyard. Count yourself lucky to live in York Region and Simcoe County, where there are a number of great local attractions you and the kids are sure to love. Add these to your family’s summer fun list.

CLIMB TO GREAT HEIGHTS If the kids are bored and climbing the walls at home anyway, why not try their hands at outdoor rock climbing? The ROC in Georgina has an impressive 35-foot multi-route rock-climbing wall that features inverted angles, overhangs and angled climbs. It also has an accessible wall that’s perfect for beginner climbers. Rest assured, safety is front and centre. Participants are connected to the belay system and are directly supervised by a staff member. Helmets, harnesses and all other equipment are included. georginaroc.ca Maybe the weather isn’t cooperating, but your brood still has energy to burn or you’re looking for a break from the heat and humidity. At Newmarket’s Of Rock and Chalk climbing gym, you can be indoors, but still be active. With over 46 routes, heights that vary from 10 to 37 feet and six different bouldering areas, there is something for the whole family. You’ll find simulated rock faces, chimney climbing, crack climbing, top rope and lead climbing areas. Start with the beginner’s course, buy a day pass or just come to do some bouldering. rockandchalk.com

GAZE AT THE STARS Your child’s curiosity doesn’t end with the school calendar. The David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill is a gem that budding scientists will adore and it’s celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Built in 1935, the observatory houses the largest optical telescope in Canada and the second largest in the world. With a mirror measuring 74 inches across, the technology it uses is considered ancient compared to recent digital innovations. Yet the observatory has been home to a number of important scientific discoveries, including confirming the existence of black holes. The observatory offers public viewing nights, special events and a variety of educational programs. Give your family an adventure that’s out of this world! theddo.ca

FROLIC IN THE TREES If an action-packed, adrenalin rush of a day is in order, take your family Treetop Trekking. The company operates five zip line and aerial game parks in Ontario, including at Bruce’s Mill in Stouffville and Horseshoe valley in Barrie.

Suspended high in the canopy of the forest, you’ll spend an unforgettable day in the trees, whipping across zip lines and climbing like a monkey. You’ll tackle challenges like balance logs, cable traverses, hammock nets, wooden bridges and Tarzan swings—a real-life adventure in the great outdoors. Kids’ courses are available, as are “big zips” for those who are ready for an adult-sized challenge. Craving more adventure? Opt for a night trek and explore the forest after dark. This three-hour program will have you navigating treetop aerial courses guided by the light of the stars! Must be 14 years of age. treetoptrekking.com

CATCH A MOVIE OUTDOORS Take advantage of the warm evenings and watch a movie under the stars, sprawled on a blanket or curled up with a loved one. It’s an experience your kids won’t soon forget and is sure to become a treasured summertime tradition. Many municipalities offer free family-friendly outdoor movies throughout the summer. Locations: Lambert Wilson Park in Aurora, Riverwalk Commons and Fairy Lake Park in Newmarket, beside the leisure centre in Bradford, the ROC in Georgina and Nobleton Sports Park in King Township. Check your local municipality’s website for this summer’s specific movie titles and dates and mark your calendar so you won’t miss out! To ensure a perfect evening, bring a chair, blanket, bug spray and your favourite munchies.

REEL ONE IN ever wanted to try your hand at fishing? There’s no better time. From July 4 through 12, Ontario Family Fishing events gives Canadian residents the opportunity to fish Ontario waters without a licence. Fishing is a great way to spend some time outdoors, learn a new skill, bond with your family and teach your kids about different species, habitats, natural resources, conservation and the environment. Fun and informative festivals, clinics, derbies and workshops will be hosted across the province this summer. If you find yourself hooked, purchase a valid fishing license so you can legally fish throughout the year. A license is required for all Canadian residents between the ages of 18 and 64. ontariofamilyﬁshing.com SU M M E R 2 0 1 5

ClUtter CrISIS the daNgerS of SeNIorS aNd hoardINg BY JOANN MACDONALD

Most of us have had to tackle clutter at one point or another. But when does too much clutter become a serious issue? For housebound seniors, a tendency to accumulate possessions can eventually become a risk to health and safety. Maria Cetnar, supervisor of the mental health program at York Support Services Network, says hoarding is classified as a mental illness. “It’s defined as excessive accumulation of objects and significant difficulty discarding those objects,” she says. “Hoarding causes distress in social and occupational life and overall functioning. An inability to discard objects can lead to an environment where a person cannot function, causing feelings of depression and anxiety. It’s a vicious circle.” Ms Cetnar says family members and caregivers should keep a watchful eye on seniors who have accumulated clutter to the point where safety is an issue. Excess clutter can lead to slips and falls, fire hazards and smells and health risks caused by mould and mildew. As items pile up, cleaning rooms and cooking meals may become impossible. Neighbours may complain of smells or fire concerns. Most senior hoarders are unlikely to seek help or even recognize the problem. More often, frustrated family members contact hoarding experts on their loved one’s behalf. But experts 12

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caution that the issue must be approached carefully and treatment will likely be longterm. “One needs to approach the issue of hoarding in very small steps in order to conquer that inability to stop accumulating items,” says Ms Cetnar. Clean-ups address only a symptom of the problem rather than the problem itself. And unauthorized assistance by family members can have a detrimental effect on the person with hoarding issues, leading to feelings of betrayal, anger and loss. Hoarding is associated with high-stress life events, says Catherine Chater, an occupational therapist with VHA Home HealthCare, a charity that offers home and community services for seniors, including an extreme cleaning service for those at risk of eviction. “Forced clean-ups can be stressful, causing more symptoms and creating another level of conflict with family members.” She advises family members and caregivers to ask permission to discuss clutter issues. Proceed with open-ended questions such as, “If you were to start decluttering, what would you have to do to make this happen?” Family members should reassure their loved one that others also have difficulty with change. Be empathetic and use sentences such as: “Many people describe feeling as you do—they want

to change their hoarding, but find it difficult. It sounds like thinking about throwing anything away is very upsetting for you. How you’re handling this conversation really shows a lot of courage.” People who hoard are dealing with some of the same issues as everybody with clutter—on a much larger scale. They keep things for the same reasons others do—they are useful, potentially useful or have sentimental value, for example. “In the eyes of these individuals, the objects have significant sentimental value, although they may not have actual value,” says Ms Cetnar. Far from being content with the way they live, people who hoard often envision a cleaner, re-decorated home. But they dream of achieving their visions without actually getting rid of their stuff. They may imagine they can store their belongings more efficiently in boxes and shelving units. Ms Chater says family members frequently perceive the person who hoards as being lazy or using the hoarding as a form of aggression. “It’s not a way of getting back at someone,” she says. “The clutter is a symptom of a mental health issue. It’s one of the most visible health issues.” Treatment for hoarding is varied. Over the

long term, clinicians use motivational interviewing, a therapeutic technique geared to address the root of hoarding issues. In the short term, caregivers and experts may address some of the more pressing safety risks. If the individual doesn’t agree to an extreme clean-up, the focus turns to harm reduction. “We work with the individual to focus on primary barriers and itemize safety concerns,” says Ms Chater. If walking to the bathroom is unsafe, the solution might be to clear a pathway big enough for a walker to get through. Another focus might be clearing out the kitchen sink and getting water running again. “It’s looking at finding ways of minimizing the effects of the clutter,” says Ms Chater. “The small steps toward improving safety seem to be more sustainable over the long term. It’s by no means an easy process for anybody, including the person who hoards.” Hoarding is three times more common in people over the age of 55. “The tendency towards having difficulty letting things go typically happens around adolescence,” says Ms Chater. “However impairment and safety risks are often not visible until later in life.” There are a number of theories as to why hoarding often appears later in life. It may simply take that length of time for the clutter to pile up. Life stresses accumulate as we age— perhaps adult children leave the home or a spouse dies. People who were able to help fend off the tendency to hoard are no longer in the home.

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if you are seeking help for a family member who hoards, contact York Support Services (at no cost) at 1-866-257-9776, ext. 2278.

De-clutter and support your hospital steps Clothing bin donations Southlake Campus and Magna Centre Saturdays and Sundays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donate excess clothing and receive a tax receipt and vouchers while helping transform lives at Southlake.

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partners

IN CARE

Supporting hospice care

IN loving memory of Jeff Graham by A ndr e w L i v ingston e

Susan Graham Wheat remembers the moment when she knew hospice care was the right decision for her husband, Jeff Graham. At that time, Jeff was bed-ridden in their Oakville home due to a terminal brain tumour. Their sevenyear-old daughter Georgia would only say good night to her dad while standing in the doorway of his bedroom. She was disconnecting from her father at a time when Susan longed for her to shape long-lasting memories of the man who helped give her life. Ten days before going into hospice care, Jeff was admitted to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital after suffering a serious seizure. He would never return home. Georgia was too scared to see her father in the hospital. Patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers were always in the hallways and that made it hard for her to visit her dad. Georgia was already withdrawing from Jeff at home because she was afraid. Susan says, “I struggled with that because I wanted her to be comfortable with Jeff and express her love to him before he left us, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen in the hospital setting.” When Jeff moved to a hospice in October 2009, Georgia’s fear disappeared. She would lie in bed with her dad and read Robert Munsch

books to him. The remarkable end-of-life care provided for Jeff at the hospice created memories mother and daughter now look back on with a smile. “Our son Jack, four at the time, called the hospice Daddy’s house. Our kids were comfortable. For that reason alone, the hospice experience was amazing,” Susan says. “The care Jeff got was second-to-none. The staff loved him and he loved them. He was always comfortable and they met his needs. He’d ask for certain apple juice and they’d get it. They were incredible.” Jeff was larger than life. He was known for his sense of humour, positive outlook on life and the love he had for his family and friends. When he passed away, those who knew him wanted to celebrate his memory by doing something good in his honour. Started in 2010 by members of a local football league Jeff had played in, the Jeff Graham Memorial Golf Classic began as an opportunity to raise money for the Brain Tumour Foundation, a national charity that played an important role in the life of the Graham family for 12 years. When Jeff ’s brother, John Graham, coorganized the tournament in 2014, he wanted to see the money stay in the Newmarket Hospice care brought comfort to Jeff and Susan’s children, Georgia and Jack, in Jeff’s final days.

community where his brother was raised. When John learned that the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation had launched its love lives here campaign to build a residential hospice in Newmarket, he knew it was the perfect fit. John felt that joining Jeff’s Memorial tournament with the love lives here campaign was an ideal alignment because it not only honoured Jeff’s memory, it also supported his community. “When a loved one is dying, the home setting of a hospice can bring much comfort compared to the palliative area of a hospital,” he says. “Anyone who has experienced it knows it’s much better to have the hospice option.” While John is certainly grateful for the assistance the Brain Tumour Foundation provided his family, he believes his brother would have wanted to support this local hospice initiative. John was surprised to learn just how few residential hospice beds are currently available in York Region. “We didn’t realize how underserviced York Region is in terms of hospice availability,” he says. “Jeff lived in Oakville and the hospice was there and it was a terrific experience. I was shocked to hear of the lack of hospice beds in this area, so it was a natural match for us.” Currently there are only three residential hospice beds available to palliative patients in York Region and there are over 250 patients and their families expected to use the new residential hospice each year. York Region is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, and desperately needs more choices for those facing the end of their lives. The Jeff Graham Memorial Golf Tournament received incredible community support in its first year. Golfers, sponsors and outright donors raised $43,000 in Jeff’s memory. The Graham family knows that Jeff would be very proud of their fundraising efforts in support of Southlake Foundation’s love lives here campaign.

The 2015 Jeff Graham Memorial Golf Classic is scheduled for Sept. 25 at the Club at Bond Head golf course. For details, visit jeffgrahamgolfclassic.com. To learn more about the love lives here campaign, visit southlakefoundation.ca. 14

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dr. erik silmberg, cHief of radiology at soutHlake WitH (from left to rigHt) lori allen, team leader of mammograpHy, sue templeton, and Joanne blytH, manager of diagnostic assessment and integrated cancer screening programs.

canceR ScReeninG saving lives at Southlake

BY ReBeCCA ReID

Cancer. After she lost her husband to the disease in 2004, it was the last word Sue Templeton wanted to hear from her own doctor. Ms Templeton had been going to the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) at Southlake Regional Health Centre since she turned 50 in 2006. In 2011, Ms. Templeton put her appointment off, thinking she was too busy. But after her daughter, who worked in Southlake’s Diagnostic Imaging Department at the time, pushed her to go, Ms Templeton finally scheduled her appointment. The mammogram detected a mass and she was called back for a second mammogram, as a precaution. The mass was detected again and a biopsy confirmed that she had Stage 2 breast cancer. 16

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Ms Templeton was terrified. “I was so scared for my children and grandchildren,” she says. “What a legacy — two grandparents with cancer. My granddaughter asked if I was going to die like her Papa.” When Ms Templeton’s late husband, Bob, was battling leukemia, the couple had the added strain of travelling to Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto for his treatments. Her experience would be much different. “With Southlake’s new cancer centre, I had one less thing to worry about. From surgery to chemotherapy to radiation, all my treatments were done right here, so I could still go to work and see everyone,” Ms Templeton says. “I never could have handled going to Toronto for treatment. I wanted to maintain as much of my regular routine as possible so people didn’t

just look at me as a sick person. I could not imagine what would have happened if I had to go somewhere else.” This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake. Since it opened, more than 11,000 patients like Ms Templeton have received cancer treatment closer to home. Southlake has been part of the OBSP since 2001 and a Breast Assessment Affiliate (BAA) site since 2011. OBSP is a province-wide screening program run by Cancer Care Ontario, screening patients like Ms Templeton, who are part of the program. “Routine cancer screening for women ages 50 to 74 is an effective approach to early detection of breast cancer. When cancer is discovered in its early stages, more treatment

“With Southlake’s new cancer centre, I had one less thing to worry about. From surgery to chemotherapy to radiation, all my treatments were done right here, so I could still go to work and SUE Templeton see everyone.”

options are available and there is a better chance of survival,” explains Lori Allen, Team Leader of Mammography at Southlake. Southlake offers screening mammography as well as diagnostic mammography, which would typically be ordered following an abnormal screening mammogram. Diagnostic mammography is performed to more fully assess a breast problem or suspicious area. Any further imaging or biopsy requests are also available at Southlake. The team of medical radiation technologists, sonographers, clerical support staff and physicians who make up Southlake’s recently named Theodor Kovács Diagnostic Imaging Department, work collaboratively with the Diagnostic Assessment Program and are dedicated to maintaining the high standards of the OBSP. All imaging is captured and stored on a picture archiving and communication system, a digital library of all images. As one of 38 health facilities that make up the Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Repository Service, Southlake is also championing the sharing of electronic images and reports to improve and enhance patient care. Diagnostic imaging results can be sent securely and quickly to physicians—shortening the time between testing, diagnosis and treatment. As a BAA site, the goal is to expedite all patients with abnormal imaging through the complex health care system, assisted by a nurse navigator who coordinates care and provides information and emotional support from suspicion of an abnormality to diagnosis, whether it is benign or malignant. Screening for colon cancer, which follows breast cancer as the most prevalent form of the disease in Ontario, is also performed at Southlake.

ColonCancerCheck, the first organized colorectal screening program in Canada, was first launched to the public in 2008. “The ColonCancerCheck program recommends you get screened for colorectal cancer with a fecal occult blood test kit every two years if you are between the ages of 50 and 74 and are at average risk. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer in a first degree relative (parent, sibling or child) the program recommends a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer,” says Joanne Blyth, Manager of Diagnostic Assessment and Integrated Cancer Screening Programs at Southlake. Over 6,000 colonoscopies are performed at Southlake each year. According to the Canadian Cancer Society’s 2014 statistics, two in five Canadians will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime. But thanks to incredible strides in cancer screening and early detection, as well as increasingly effective treatments, 63 per cent of cancer patients (varies according to type of cancer) are surviving at least five years after a cancer diagnosis. York Region cancer patients like Ms Templeton can find some comfort in knowing they will receive the best possible services every step of the way at Southlake’s Regional Cancer Centre. But, as her daughter showed her, the programs work best if patients go every time they are scheduled. “Don’t bury your head in the sand when it comes to your health. We get worried or too busy or think it won’t happen to us,” Ms Templeton says. “We are fortunate to have a free breast screening program in Ontario and every woman over 50 should take advantage of it. I hope my story encourages at least one woman to get a mammogram. It could truly save your life.”

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For more information and to learn about your personal risk of breast, cervical, colorectal or lung cancer, visit mycanceriq.ca. For more information about breast cancer screening, the Ontario Breast Screening Program, colorectal cancer screening or to request your own fecal occult blood home test kit, visit Cancer Care Ontario at cancercare.on.ca. Southlake needs hospital-wide upgrades for new and replacement equipment. Please donate today at southlakefoundation.ca summer 2 0 1 5

oUR PeoPLe SUPPoRTinG OUR hoSPiTaL

JIM CRAIGMYLe PHOTOGRAPH

B Y C AT H Y H I L L A R D

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Charity may begin at home, but it says volumes about the caring nature of a hospital when its employees choose to donate their own money to support their place of work. At Southlake Regional Health Centre, physicians, staff and volunteers have always been encouraged to raise funds and donate to the Foundation, to support the hospital’s most urgent needs. The Hospital Family Giving campaign, which launched last year, really put the focus on participation and encouraged the hospital family to be ambassadors for Southlake. And it worked. Southlake staff gave more than $223,000 to the campaign and participation increased almost threefold. The funds raised through this campaign will be used to purchase new or replacement equipment across every department. Dr. Dave Williams, Southlake president and CEO, who championed the campaign, says the generosity of staff will enable patients to get faster and more comprehensive care. “It makes me so proud to be leading a team of people who not only commit themselves every day to safe, quality care for our patients, but who go above and beyond with their generosity when we need it most,” he says. “By giving in this way, our hospital family is leading by example,” explains Neila Poscente, President and CEO of Southlake Foundation. “It’s amazing to be able to show our community that hospital physicians, staff and volunteers believe in and support the hospital,” she says. Staff have always been able to donate through payroll and this was still a favoured way of contribution with this campaign, but the methods of giving were ramped up this year with the introduction of a 50-50 draw and a hospital-wide Stache for Southlake competition. “Our job as fundraisers is made possible entirely because of the expert care our health care team provides to our patients,” says Ms. Poscente. “Their tireless work and commitment to excellence inspires people to want to give to this organization. The fact that they choose to do more—donate independently and raise funds for Southlake—we couldn’t ask for a more engaged and committed group of people.” Some Southlake employees like Phyllis Walton, a registered nurse in the electrophysiology lab in the Cardiac Department, gave to support their team and their patients.

“I gave specifically to my department because I firmly believe in the work we are doing. We are making huge progress and are one of the leaders in this field, but it doesn’t run on air,” she explains. Others, including registered dietitian Anne Reid, donated as a staff member and patient. Ms Reid has always supported the hospital by participating in the annual Run or Walk for

Southlake and giving regular donations, but her gift has had special meaning since she underwent treatment for breast cancer at Southlake in 2014. In this campaign, she requested that her donation be directed to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. “As a member of staff, I recognize how in need of funds the hospital is and I want to give back,” she says. ››

nelia poscente, president and ceo of soutHlake foundation, and dr. dave Williams, president and ceo soutHlake regional HealtH centre, present facility operations team members WitH tHe inaugural stacHe for soutHlake tropHy.

Stache for Southlake Stache for Southlake, held in November 2014, had a two-pronged approach: to raise money for the Hospital Family Giving campaign and raise awareness about men’s cancers “below the belt.” In total, the initiative raised nearly $25,000, allowing Southlake to purchase a cytoscope, used in the diagnosis and treatment of men’s cancers. Male employees throughout the hospital took up the challenge of not shaving for a month as female employees wore ‘stache scarves and supported the campaign in other ways. In the end, there were two departments locked in rivalry as Facility Operations and Information Technology competed to raise the most funds. You could call it a “face-oﬀ.” The two departments leveraged their connections

throughout the hospital, drumming up support for their “staches”. Never forgetting the ultimate cause, both departments saw support come pouring in as a way to thank the teams for the work they do every day to keep the hospital running. For others, it was a way to support a relative battling cancer. Every donation made a diﬀerence. At the end of the month, it was the Facilities fellas who claimed the trophy by raising a whopping $16,000, including a generous donation from G4S Secure Solutions and their team at Southlake, who chose to direct their charitable giving to the cause, donating $10,000. Facilities is already looking forward to this November’s event and plans to keep the trophy.

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Now fully recovered, Ms Reid participated in the Run or Walk for Southlake again this year. “It was really quite inspirational to see the number of people taking part,” she says. To encourage participation, the campaign issued a friendly challenge to departments to see who could bring the most people on board. Three physicians groups: Emergency, Radiology and Paediatrics, the hospital leadership team, the hospital and Foundation boards of directors and the Foundation staff all achieved 100 per cent participation. One of those physicians groups, Diagnostic Imaging, is led by Dr. Erik Silmberg, who says his team’s philosophy naturally extends to giving. “We are in a partnership with the hospital in a commitment to provide excellent care. As partners in health care, it is our responsibility to give back and help out,” he says, adding that their donations are always directed to all campaigns throughout the hospital, not just their own department. “The whole system needs more money, now and in the future, so charity starts right here in the hospital.” This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Eddie

Chan, interim physician leader for the Emergency Department, whose group also had 100 per cent participation. “We are all invested in our hospital and in providing good health care to our patients. These campaigns support our working environment. If we want to see the equipment that we need to provide good care then this is an important step in the process,” he says. The paediatric physicians were also all on board and chief Dr. Charmaine van Schaik says it is about leading by example. “I feel really strongly that if we are going to look to our community to support us at Southlake in delivering the best care possible, I think we equally have to have faith and passion about what we do, and the only way to ask a community member to give is to show that you are committed to it yourself,” she says. At the Foundation, every member of staff was happy to contribute, Ms Poscente says. “Our aim is always to have 100% support here before we go to others for support. “We are thrilled with how enthusiastically everybody has responded to this campaign.”

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Nicole Forrester An insider’s guide to the Pan Am Games B Y L e e A N N W AT e R M A N PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM CRAIGMYLe

Former elite athlete, sports advocate and mental performance coach Nicole Forrester says the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, being held this summer at venues across the GTA, have the potential to raise Canada’s profile as a sporting nation. “I’d like to see these Games get more people out, at the different venues, watching the different events,” Ms Forrester says. “But also to get out of their houses, to drop their iPads, their cellphones, their laptops and be able to get out and get going and be active and take some interest in various sports. I’d like to see these Games get people thinking more along those lines. There’s a sport for everyone out there.”

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nicole forrester competes in tHe Women’s HigH Jump at tHe canadian track and field cHampionsHips in 2009. ANDREW WALLACE, TORONTO STAR

events to watch With 7,500 athletes competing in 51 events at more than 30 venues, the Toronto Pan Am and Parapan Am Games will be bigger than the Vancouver Olympics. We asked retired athlete and Pan Am and Parapan Am Athlete Advisory Council member Nicole Forrester which events are on her radar. openinG CereMonies In her role on the council, Ms Forrester has heard some buzz about the opening ceremonies. She doesn’t want to give anything away, but is conﬁdent it will be “something we haven’t seen before.” shootinG Ms Forrester’s childhood home in Cookstown backed onto the property owned by the Toronto International Trap & Skeet Club, where the shotgun, pistol and riﬂe events will be held. “For nostalgic reasons, I’m really interested in going there,” she says. divinG, swiMMinG, synChroniZed swiMMinG The location for these events—the CIBC Pan Am / Parapan Am Aquatics Centre in Toronto—is as much a draw as the competition. “If you haven’t seen it, I would highly recommend taking a drive down there and walking around the facility,” Ms Forrester says. “They’ve really outdone themselves.” traCK CyClinG, parapan traCK CyClinG Held at the newly built Cisco Milton Velodrome, these events have athletes racing at top speeds on a 250-metre banked timber track.

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A latecomer to competitive sport, Ms Forrester was 17 and working at the Cookstown McDonalds when Dave Hunt, a track coach at the University of Toronto, stopped in for a Big Mac on his way north to go skiing. He noticed her tall, lean physique and asked if she wanted to try high jumping. Mr. Hunt introduced Ms Forrester to the university track team’s head coach Carl Georgevski and she began training. “I started with the idea of just enjoying the high jump,” Ms Forrester says. “I had no idea it would lead where it did.” It led to a scholarship from Michigan State University and later a spot on the Canadian national team. As a member of the national team from 1997 to 2012, Ms Forrester competed in many international events, including the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and three Pan Am Games, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2007, in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2003 and in Winnipeg in 1999. Competing in Winnipeg, she won her first medal, a bronze, at a major games and increased her confidence in her abilities.

“If you win a medal at the Pan Ams, it builds your confidence for going on and medalling at other Games or even the Olympics,” she says. “The Pan Ams are a building block for a lot of athletes,” she continues. “Pan Am Games and Commonwealth Games are essential for an elite athlete’s development. It’s very difficult to expect an athlete to show up at the Olympics without having had experiences at these regional, large-scale Games. You need it to be able to assess where you stand in the world, if you are able to compete with some of the best from other countries.” While she has retired from competition, Ms Forrester is still very much engaged in the 2015 Games, as a member of the Athlete Advisory Council. The nine-member council was formed, through an application and interview process, shortly after Toronto won its bid for the Games in 2009. “Everyone is very passionate about the Games and about their sport and about sport in general,” Ms Forrester says of council members, who have all competed at Pan Am, Parapan Am, Olympic or Paralympic Games.

s d 9. R

“We came in with the attitude that this has got to be the best Pan Ams ever.” The council is looking at everything at these Games—from the venues to the food to the opening ceremonies to security—from an athlete’s perspective. For some sports, including field hockey, triathlon, equestrian events, sailing and shooting, the Games will be an Olympic qualifier—which makes it even more important to get all the details right. “Our role is to ensure the Games are athletecentred,” she says, “making sure that we are able to identify the needs of athletes for a successful Games, whether that is to enhance their performance or enhance their experience.” But the Games are not only important to participating athletes. Ms Forrester also knows these competitions have the power to motivate the country’s youth—to spur interest in sport and physical fitness. She thinks back to 1994 and seeing Canadians Bruny Surin, Glenroy Gilbert, Carlton Chambers and Donovan Bailey take the gold in the 4x100-metre relay at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria. She wasn’t yet competing in track, but she was still inspired. “I remember watching them walking around the track with the Canadian flag… and having so much pride for what they had accomplished,

but also thinking, ‘I wish I could do that,’” she recalls. “Seeing someone do that in your own backyard has a powerful message for youth.” And, she says, youth who are engaged in sports reap all the health benefits of regular physical activity, including strong bones, muscles and cardiovascular system and good mental outlook, and often do better in school. “You’re more likely to achieve a higher level of education and have better grades in school because it’s the same discipline and focus that you need in sport that you need in academics to be successful,” she says. “I feel like I’m a living testimony of that.” Ms Forrester holds a bachelor of science in movement sciences (kinesiology), a bachelor of arts in sports management, a masters of education in kinesiology and a PhD in sport psychology. Now, she runs her own mental performance consulting business, working with athletes and corporate clients who are looking to build self-confidence, control performance anxiety or rebound after a setback. She also teaches sports management at Niagara College. Since that first chance meeting more than 20 years ago, sport has been a defining positive force in Ms Forrester’s life. She’s hopeful that this summer’s Pan Am and Parapan Am Games can start a similar journey for Canadian youth.

Area venues, events Atos Markham Pan Am/Parapan Am Centre Water polo, July 7 to 9, 11 to 15 Badminton, July 11 to 16 Table tennis, July 19 to 25 Parapan Am table tennis, Aug. 8 to 13 Angus Glen Golf Club, Markham Golf, July 16 to 19 OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park, Palgrave Dressage, July 11, 12, 14 Eventing, July 17, 19 Jumping, July 21, 23, 25 Pan Am Cross Country Centre, Mono Equestrian eventing cross-country, July 18 Pan Am Shooting Centre, Innisﬁl Shooting, July 12 to 19 Hardwood Mountain Bike Park, Oro Station Mountain biking, July 12 Minden Wildlife Preserve Canoe/kayak slalom, July 18, 19

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Health or hype?

by Susan Finkelstein

It would seem this thing we recently discovered called “gluten” is the cause of major concerns. For many people, a “gluten-free” label bestows a cachet of health onto whatever processed food it graces—double fudge brownies, cinnamon rolls, triple chocolate cookies. They’re gluten-free! Eat without guilt. Even foods that never contained gluten in the first place, like potato chips and hummus, are getting the 26

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gluten-free label to capitalize on the trend. Restaurants are catering to the new glutenfree lifestyle. Even some shampoo and hair products are gluten-free. Google searches for “gluten” have been trending higher for years. Celebrities such as Zooey Deschanel and Gwenyth Paltrow are gluten-free. Even athletes, such as tennis player Novak Djokovic, have become proponents of going gluten-free.

What is gluten? Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye that gives bread its springy consistency. Gluten-free foods contain none of these grains or wheat’s relatives like spelt, kamut and triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye). Gluten-free supporters say that part of the reason for the increase in sensitivity to gluten is that the wheat we now eat is genetically engineered to yield more productive crops and

IS IT TIME produce a substance that is more pliable for the baking industry. As a consequence, wheat today contains 10 times more gluten than 50 years ago. According to consumer surveys, Canadians buy gluten-free foods because they think these foods are healthier, to control gastrointestinal issues and manage their weight. But, according to scientific literature, nothing to date has shown that gluten causes people to gain or hold onto weight.

Celiac disease Celiac disease is an autoimmune genetic disease where gluten damages the intestinal lining so that fewer vitamins and minerals are absorbed. Symptoms include weight loss, diarrhea, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, anemia, fatigue, joint pain, headache, skin rashes and mouth ulcers. In children, it can cause growth failure and developmental delay. The only cure is abstinence from gluten for the rest of your life. It’s true that celiac disease has increased dramatically since the 1950s. However, part of this is because we are getting better at detecting it. Celiac disease can occur out of the blue at any age, in the elderly as well as in children. An estimated 1 per cent of the Canadian population has celiac disease, but many of them do not know it. Thirty per cent of the population carries genes for the disease. But in order to get it, something has to trigger it, such as an infection, injury to the intestines, surgery or drugs. Gluten sensitivity Despite the lack of science, people without celiac disease still say they feel better not eating gluten. They report having less gas and bloating. Perhaps it is a placebo response, which studies have found could last a few months. Or it could be that when they eat gluten-free, they eat less. Many foods like cookies and pastry contain gluten, so being gluten-free may reduce the amount of junk a person eats, which makes them feel better. Or maybe they fall into a category, which is hotly debated, referred to as “non-celiac gluten sensitivity.” People in this group have symptoms that look like celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome, such as diarrhea, gas and bloating, but they don’t have damage to their small intestines. They also do not have genes for celiac disease. Generally, non-celiac gluten sensitivity is assumed to be the culprit when celiac disease is ruled out. These people could instead have a sensitivity

to “FODMAPs.” FODMAP is an acronym for several carbohydrates that cause increased gastrointestinal problems in some people. They include foods high in certain sugars and fibre like apples, beans, whole grain breads, onion, broccoli and sugar alcohols found in diet products containing malitol and sorbitol. Lactose is also a FODMAP, so dairy products are part of this group of foods as well. Some of the largest sources of FODMAPs, bread products, are removed when adopting a glutenfree diet.

Is gluten the culprit? If any autoimmune disease runs in your family (such as type 1 diabetes, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis) and you are having symptoms including chronic iron deficient anemia, chronic diarrhea, bloating, gas and stomach pain, you should consider getting tested for celiac disease. Your doctor will order a blood test to see if the antibodies for gluten sensitivity are present in your blood. If this test is positive, your chance of having celiac increases ten-fold. If it also runs in your family, the likelihood of you having celiac is virtually certain. If your blood test is negative your chances of having celiac disease is one in 300, which is extremely low. To get a definitive diagnosis, the doctor will then recommend a biopsy to see if there is damage in the small intestines. If tests are positive, then going gluten-free will definitely help. However, if you don’t have the antibodies and you eliminate gluten from your diet, you are probably spending more money on trendy gluten-free foods and your diet may be lower in fibre, folate and other vitamins. The final word It would appear that the rise in so-called “non-celiac gluten sensitivity” seems predominantly driven by consumers and commercial interests, not quality scientific research. However, going gluten-free is not all that bad. In fact, it can even increase your intake of health-enhancing nutrients—assuming you replace gluten-containing foods with naturally gluten-free meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and nuts rather than gluten-free junk food. Go for fresh produce, beans and low-fat dairy. Also feel free to eat rice, potatoes, corn and quinoa. They are nutritious foods—and gluten-free. Susan Finkelstein is a registered dietitian.

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JIM CRAIGMYLe PHOTOGRAPHS greens are Harvested at upstream.

aQUapoNICS aNother optIoN for loCal food

GooD FooD, GooD PriCe It’s the third Thursday of the month and York Region Food Network’s David Lightwood and a handful of volunteers are busy unpacking boxes of apples, carrots and onions. They consult a list and begin distributing items into the month’s Good Food Boxes: 10 lb potatoes, 2 lb onions, 2 lb carrots, 5 lb apples, 5 bananas, 3 oranges, 2 zucchini, 2 tomatoes, a cucumber, a container of mushrooms and a head of lettuce. “Our vision is to provide access to affordable and nutritious food,” says Mr. Lightwood, who oversees the program. “This is one of the ways we do that.” Because the Food Network buys the produce in bulk, it can provide it at cost lower than you would find in the grocery store. Large boxes are $15 and small $10. Contents vary with season and include as much Ontario produce as possible. Each box includes a newsletter with recipes using the fruits and vegetables. Pick-up is at its offices in Aurora, although arrangements can be made to get boxes at the upStream location in downtown Newmarket and a church in Keswick oversees the distribution of dozens of boxes to residents in that community. New customers are always welcome. For more information, visit yrfn.ca or call 905-841-3101, ext. 203.

B Y L e e A N N W AT e R M A N

Food for health. Food for all. To support its vision statement, York Region Food Network offers programs that bring nutritious food to residents, advocates for food security and educates residents on their options for accessing food locally. Its UpStream project touches on all three, explains Tricia Richens, who manages the facility. It’s a closed-loop aquaponics system housed in a commercial space in downtown Newmarket. Water is continuously circulated from a fish tank housing tilapia through a floating bed of greens. Nutrients from the fish waste feed the plants and the plants filter the water to keep the fish healthy. In addition, vermicomposters on site use earthworms to turn any waste, such as lettuce roots, into a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner that is used in plugs for 28

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starting the lettuce seeds. Food Network staff sell and deliver the hyper-local greens, which take four to six weeks to grow, to nearby offices every Tuesday. Although the Food Network has no current plans for their harvest, the fish are also edible. Staff also hold information sessions for individuals and groups—and have hosted people from across the province interested in building their own home-based or larger scale aquaponics systems. “The produce is just the beginning,” Ms Richens says. “It’s about creating food systems and having access to locally produced food. “People want to learn about growing their own food.” For more information about UpStream, volunteering at or touring the site or purchasing greens, visit yrfn.ca or email Tricia Richens at triciar@yrfn.ca.

volunteer Jean Jacobs assembles good food boXes at york region food netWork.

B REHABILITATION E EMERGENCY PAEDIATRICS D INTENSIVE S CARE Hospital beds are an often overlooked, vital piece of equipment. Over the next 3 years, Southlake must replace nearly every single bed at the hospital. From the Emergency Department, to the ICU, to paediatrics and beyond, our patients need to sleep safe and sound so they can heal and get back home.

BUY A BED TODAY. southlakefoundation.ca

BLinDeD BY tHe LiGHt proteCt yoUr eyeS thIS SUmmer

Summer and contact lenses If your summer plans include a camping trip or a weekend at a friend’s rustic cottage, you may be tempted to forego your usual contact lens care routine. But improper use of your contacts can lead to infection. To prevent health issues, you should: • Wear your contacts only for the length of time recommended, even if they feel comfortable. • Remove, clean and disinfect your lenses at the intervals prescribed. • Only use the cleaning and disinfecting system prescribed by your optometrist. • Have regular eye examinations. BY ANDReW LIvINGSTONe

With summer in full swing, you are likely spending more time outdoors enjoying the sun—at the beach, in the park or working long hours outside. You will probably remember to slather on the sunscreen before heading outdoors, but are you taking precautions to protect your eyes? Both UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause or increase the progress of diseases that affect the eye. The majority of damage results from long-term exposure and cannot be reversed. Dr. Eugene Liu, Division Head of Ophthalmology at Southlake Regional Health Centre, says that protecting your eyes from an early age can prevent health impacts down the road. The preventative measures are simple: wear sunglasses and a hat when spending long hours out in the sun. Extended exposure to the sun can lead to a painful eye condition called photokeratitis. Insufficiently protected eyes may be more exposed to ultraviolet rays during the summer months from the reflection off of water or concrete or from artificial light sources such as tanning beds. Common symptoms of this condition generally persist for one to two days 30

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and include pain, photophobia and foreign body sensation. The feeling has been described as similar to having sand in the eyes. Long-term exposure to the sun can have significant impacts on the eye, according to Dr. Liu. The cumulative effects of spending long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection can increase the likelihood of developing eye disorders such as cataracts and pterygium (an eye condition that leads to a growth of pink, fleshy tissue on the eye). “With many years of exposure to sunlight, the eye can form scar tissue that arises from the conjunctiva and grows inward and invades the cornea,” Dr. Liu explains. “If the scar tissue is small, it may cause the eye to feel dry and irritated. But, if the pterygium is large, scar tissue may obstruct the pupil and surgery is required to prevent visual loss.” Sun exposure may also play a role in the development of skin cancer (most commonly, basal cell carcinoma may form in the eyelids), choroidal melanomas (tumours found inside the eye), skin cancer of the eyelids (most commonly basal cell carcinoma) and the development of age-related macular degeneration (an aging change of the retina).

• Don’t sleep or nap while wearing your contacts unless speciﬁcally indicated. • Don’t use any eye medications or eye drops without consulting your optometrist. Source: Doctors of Optometry Canada.

The good news is that by being sun-smart now, you can protect your eyes down the road. Don’t take any chances with your eyes this summer! These tips will help you protect your eyes when you head outside: • Wear sunglasses. Look for lenses that offer both UVA and UVB protection. Polarized sunglasses are beneficial because they reduce glare. • Wear a wide-brimmed hat. • Limit your time in the sun. Keep out of the sun when its rays are the strongest, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Look for places with a lot of shade, like a park with big trees or a patios with partial roofs, awnings, umbrellas or gazebo tents. Take an umbrella to the beach. SOURCE: Health Canada, Government of Canada

TOGETHER, WE RAISED

280,000

NET

IN SUPPORT OF SOUTHLAKE!

BRINGING THE TOTAL RAISED BY THIS EVENT TO OVER

1,000,000!

THANK YOU

TO ALL PARTICIPANTS, VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS AND DONORS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

YOU ARE HELPING TRANSFORM LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY! TITLE SPONSOR

2.5K SPONSOR

OUTDOOR SPONSOR

KIDZONE SPONSOR

MEDIA SPONSOR

INDOOR SPONSOR

10K SPONSOR

RADIO SPONSOR

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SILVER SPONSOR

Southlake Medical Staff Association

POIsON IVY

Common in all forests, poison ivy also grows along the edges of woods, meadows, waste areas, fence lines and roadsides. all parts of the plant, including its extensive root system, contain urushiol, a highly irritating resin. Contact with any part of the plant can cause a reaction. Just a miniscule amount of its potent oil is enough to cause a rash. how to identify poison ivy is a climbing, woody-stalked vine. the glossy plant has three-leaf stems, with middle leaf on a much longer stalk. leaves have three pointed leaﬂets. in spring, they are reddish; in summer, green; and in fall, shades of yellow, orange or red. in June and July, the plant produces clusters of cream to yellow-green ﬂowers that turn to greenyellow berry-like fruit in September.

camping crashers by Sue kanhai

It’s gorgeous outside and you’re itching to get away, counting the days until that long-awaited summer camping trip ﬁnally begins. To keep from itching on your trip, use this handy guide to help you identify—and avoid—some of Ontario’s most common poisonous plants. 32

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typical skin reaction a red, itchy rash is the most common reaction. inﬂamed areas often develop blisters or oozing sores. most people will develop symptoms between 24 and 48 hours after contact, which will disappear within seven to 15 days. your reaction will depend on your own sensitivity and the amount of sap your skin came in contact with. treatment york Region public health recommendations: • Wash exposed areas with cold running water. • Wash clothing separately in hot, soapy water because oil from the plant can remain active for months. Wear gloves while handling any contaminated items. Repeat washing may be necessary. • Relieve itching with cool showers and applying calamine lotion or burow’s solution. if blisters swell, become painful or the itching is too uncomfortable, see your doctor.

If you suspect you’ve come in contact with a poisonous plant, call the Ontario Poison Centre at 800-268-9017 or 416-813-5900.

POIsON suMaC

how to identify poison sumac is found in wet woods and along the edges of swamps and lakes. it grows as a shrub or small tree. poison sumac typically has between 7 and 13 leaves on each stem. they are smooth-edged with pointed tips. in spring, the plant has tiny, sweet-smelling white ﬂowers. in fall, its leaves are red and yellow. berries on the plant are whitish. typical skin reaction a red, itchy, severe rash that can last 10 days to three weeks is the most common reaction. as with poison ivy, it’s the sticky urushiol oil in the plant that causes the allergic reaction. you may also develop hives and blisters. For people who are highly allergic to urushiol oil, symptoms can also include diﬃculty breathing and swelling of the face, mouth or neck. treatment • Wash your skin immediately with cool water and mild soap. Clean under your nails to remove all traces of oil. • Wash clothing. • To relieve itching, use calamine lotion. Scratch and you risk causing a skin infection. • If the rash covers a large portion of your body or if your symptoms are severe, see your doctor. you may need to be prescribed a corticosteroid cream, pills or shots.

GIaNt hOGWEED

this poisonous, invasive plant causes skin rashes, burns and blisters. typically found along roadsides, stream banks and waste areas, it spreads readily and quickly invades old fields and open woodlands. how to identify Giant has large, sharply toothed leaves that can grow up to five feet wide. after a few years, it develops flower stalks that can grow up to 20 feet tall. the stem is hollow, has dark, reddishpurple spots and coarse white hairs on it. Giant hogweed looks very similar to Queen anne’s lace. typical skin reaction the plant’s sap can cause severe dermatitis and make the skin highly sensitive to sunlight, resulting in burns and blisters, which typically happen up to 48 hours after contact. the blisters can develop into purple and black scars. Skin can remain sensitive to uV light for months or years. if the sap comes into contact with your eyes it may cause temporary or permanent blindness. treatment • Wash affected areas immediately. • Keep affected areas out of the sun. • Seek medical attention.

stINGING NEttLEs

how to identify the common or stinging nettle is a weed with tough, yellow roots and creeping stems. the plant’s broad, oval-shaped leaves have serrated edges and stinging hairs. Stinging nettle often form large colonies in orchards, farmyards, old pastures, ditches and waste areas. typical skin reaction the formic acid in the plant’s nettles can cause a hive-like, red and itchy rash and burning or stinging skin. in severe cases, you may experience swelling in the eyes, lips, tongue, larynx or hands. the itchy bumps can last up to 24 hours, but can also occur repeatedly. Watch for signs of a severe allergic reaction, which include cramps, diarrhea and wheezing. brown pigmentation may remain for years after healing. treatment • Wash the exposed area. Discomfort usually disappears immediately. • For itching, bathe in cool water and apply calamine lotion or a paste of baking soda and water. Over-the-counter antihistamine can relieve hives and itching. • Any severe reaction, such as diﬃculty breathing, hives or swelling, should be considered life threatening. Seek medical attention.

Protect yourself! Learn how to identify the most common poisonous plants.

Vinyl or leather gloves add a layer of protection.

Wear closed-toe footwear, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Consider using a barrier cream or lotion to keep poisonous oil from coming into contact with your skin.

sources: York Region Public health, health Canada, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information system, Ontario’s Invading species awareness Program, Ontario Ministry of agriculture, Food and Rural aﬀairs, Ontario Poison Centre, York Region Forest, Public health agency of Canada su M M E R 2 0 1 5

JIM CRAIGMYLE PHOTOGRAPH

behind

the scenes

Reverend Eric Schultz offers support to patients and their families as a member of Southlake’s Spiritual Care Team.

In good faith by C athy H illard

Hospitals are places of intense emotional experiences, not only for patients but also for their families, as they await diagnoses, deal with loss and come face-to-face with difficult choices and new realities. Southlake Regional Health Centre’s Spiritual Care Department is here to support the spiritual and emotional aspect of the hospital experience, offering support to patients and their families by listening to their stories and struggles, facilitating insight and hopefulness and reminding them they are not alone. Southlake has two full-time professional chaplains as Specialists in Spiritual Care who provide this important aspect of care to all people in the hospital. “I believe that many of the issues that people face are spiritual at the core,” says Rev. Vicki Cousins, Coordinator of Spiritual Care. “Issues such as loss of identity, independence, purpose 34

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and the meaning of life as one knew it. People are sad, fearful and angry. They ask questions like ‘Why is this happening to me?’” Rev. Cousins does not claim to have all the answers to these questions but, by sitting with people, connecting with them and tuning in to their needs, she says that members of the spiritual care team support patients and their families by offering a compassionate presence and a listening ear. “It is definitely not about preaching,” she says. “It’s about going in with an openness to hear that person’s story with respect in a nonjudgmental way, because everybody is in a different place.” “Spirituality is broader than religion; it is about a search for meaning and purpose in one’s life. It speaks of what we hold sacred, of spiritual themes and topics like fear, forgiveness, reconciliation, regret, judgment

and guilt. Some call it soul pain or spiritual distress. Spiritual care providers create a safe place to hold our patients and their families, allowing exploration and depth of feeling and experience.” Rev. Cousins has a holistic view of people, believing that the physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual are intricately connected. In addition to caring for patients and their families, the Southlake Chaplains also respond to the spiritual needs of the hospital’s staff and volunteers, while a team of spiritual care volunteers concentrate solely on visiting patients. The volunteers are trained in confidentiality and the practicalities of working in a hospital setting. Their listening skills are honed so that they can best help people when they are at their most vulnerable. Because compassion knows no boundaries,

Rev. Cousins visits people of all faiths and spiritualities and she expects her volunteers to do the same. It’s making the connection and offering emotional and spiritual support that’s important. However, if people do have a particular faith tradition, she tries to match them with a team member of the same background. In recognition of the region’s increasing diversity, she has more than 25 leaders of different spiritualities and faith traditions on speed dial, who are ready to volunteer their time at a moment’s notice. “If I need a native elder, a Buddhist priest, a rabbi or an imam, I have people that I can call,” she says. The commitment of these faith leaders, 20 lay spiritual care volunteers and 16 on-call chaplains allows the spiritual care team to offer 24/7 care. Thirty Roman Catholic ministers of communion and more than 100 community clergy provide support to local congregational members while in hospital. Rev. Cousins sees spiritual care as an integral part of Southlake’s multidisciplinary team approach, as she and Rev. Eric Schultz often

receive referrals from members of the interprofessional team. “Sometimes it is the housekeeping staff who will stop me and say ‘Vicki, this patient is having a really bad day, I think you need to go visit,’” she adds. Rev. Schultz’s areas of responsibility include the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, where he often receives referrals from other members of the Cancer Centre team to provide support for individuals and families. Two challenges he often faces are related to the initial patient and family reaction when he responds to a referral or stops by during visiting rounds. Sometimes there is heightened fear about their wellbeing, explains Rev. Schultz. Patients may wonder ‘Why are you here? Do you know something that the doctors haven’t told me?’ Sometimes patients have anxiety about the role of the chaplain, wondering ‘Is he going to preach at me?’ After a brief friendly chat those worries are set aside and individual emotional and/or spiritual concerns can be addressed. The support offered to families can be just as important as care provided to patients. For

Kathy Anderson, whose mother was in and out of hospital numerous times and passed away in 2013, Rev. Cousins was a calm and gentle presence at a difficult time. “She always listened and seemed to capture the need,” Ms Anderson says. “And there was always hope in our conversations. Even though it was a tough time, we didn’t dwell on the negative. We recognized the challenges and yet we were able to speak from a point of hope.”

Spiritual Care offers: • Memorial services • Staﬀ support • Multi-faith chapel in central building • Monthly labyrinth walks • Grief support groups • One-on-one bereavement support • Remembrance Day service

Providing a caring environment for those at the end of their life is a top priority for Southlake, which is why it has committed to building a 10-bed residential hospice. the Foundation’s love lives here campaign aims to raise $12 million in support of this project. to learn more and donate today, visit southlakefoundation.ca/give/campaigns/love-lives-here.

• Prayer circle • Lay spiritual care training

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Southlake study suggests disturbed sleep a risk for cardiac patients BY BILL HODGINS

Call it what you will—your 40 winks, your beauty sleep or your complete crash—but be assured your sleep can impact your long-term health. A comprehensive study completed over several years at Southlake Regional Health Centre has established that disturbed sleep is a prevalent risk factor for patients with coronary artery disease and is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiac events. The results of the study, which involved several Southlake cardiac physicians, were printed in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology in 2013. Dr. Steve Miner, an interventional cardiologist and sleep expert who led the research, says that people should be encouraged to let their doctors know if they are not getting enough sleep, 36

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particularly if they have a history of cardiovascular disease. “Our data showed that not sleeping well can be associated with poor long-term outcomes,” he says. “If you’re not sleeping well, that’s a good enough reason to talk to your physician.” The study notes that disturbed sleep is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that this association is consistent across a range of sleep disorders. Recently, a landmark project on risk factors and chronic diseases in the Netherlands found a 23-per-cent increased risk of coronary heart disease in individuals who got six hours of sleep per night compared with those getting seven hours. The risk was further increased to 63 per cent in those with poor quality of sleep,

determined simply by asking participants whether or not they rise feeling rested. Two small studies have suggested that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of restenosis (repeat narrowing of a coronary artery) during short-term followup. Dr. Miner says it was his curiosity of sleep apnea that first spurred his interest in the study. With extensive research experience, he was looking to continue his interests after moving to Southlake. Initially, the study was conceived as “How many people have sleep apnea?” “From there, it evolved into a more general question: ‘If you don’t sleep, what happens to you?’” he says. From the patients’ perspective, there was immediate buy-in. “They were very interested.

People generally believe that when you do not sleep well, you do not feel well. It was ‘Yes, I would love to be a part of this study.’” From a physician standpoint, there was a lot of support, but also some skepticism. “I think when we started doing this study, most were a little bemused. It wasn’t really something on anybody’s radar.” Some of those who went along may have simply been trying to humour him, he says. The results changed that. “I think we were all surprised, myself included. In fact, ‘surprised’ might not be a strong enough word. It was shocking to see what a profound effect this had

on people’s outcomes,” Dr. Miner says. The effects of not having enough sleep on long-term outcomes were more powerful than diabetes or high blood pressure, he says. Based on existing data, the researchers had been seeking to determine an association between disturbed sleep and adverse cardiovascular events in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a common treatment for patients with coronary artery disease. They concluded symptoms of disturbed sleep were associated with an increased risk of longterm adverse cardiovascular outcomes after a

successful PCI. A research paper released by the medical team behind the project also suggested that further studies are needed to determine which sleep disorders are most associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and if interventions aimed at improving sleep will improve cardiac outcomes after common treatment. Dr. Miner says while their study is considered complete, they are already working on submitting a new study for publication that would look at acute sleep disruption rather than chronic sleep disruption.

trouble sleeping? Everything from diet to stress to work habits can affect your ability to rest well. Consider these tips toward getting a good night’s sleep: • Take time to unwind: Maybe your mind is busy with the events of the day you’ve had or what you expect your next day to be like. Try taking a bath or shower. Read a book. Listen to some calming music. • Watch what you eat: If you need something warm to drink, maybe milk is the answer. It’s best to avoid caffeine close to bedtime, whether it’s coffee, tea or cola. Don’t eat a big meal at bedtime. • Exercise early: Some people use exercise to relieve stress and feel better. In fact, those who exercise regularly tend to sleep deeper. But try to do it at least three to four hours before you go to bed.

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• Alcohol isn’t the answer: Maybe you feel like you can fall asleep faster after a drink or two but often it can result in a more disrupted sleep.

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• Try to go without a nap: A quick nap might make you more alert during the day, but it can aﬀect how deeply you sleep at night. If you have to nap, keep it under a half hour. If you still can’t sleep at night, cut the naps from your routine.

iRIDE Plus - a seamless community transportation service coming into effect July 1st 2015 servicing North York, South Simcoe and York Region. For additional information please visit our website.

Note: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualiﬁed health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

www.irideplus.com Call us toll free at: 1-844-iride-01 (1-844-474-3301) A collaborative initiative by leading agencies, CHATS and Circle of Care providing door-to-door transportation services to Seniors 55+ & Adults with disabilities.

SU M M E R 2 0 1 5

hospital NEWS

KeeP iT SiMPLe International study led by Southlake physician proves simple is better when treating serious heart conditions Southlake’s Regional Cardiac Care Program recently celebrated 10 years of transforming lives for patients. Today, the program is once again celebrating, as new ground-breaking research, led by Dr. Atul Verma, electrophysiologist and director of arrhythmia services for the Regional Cardiac Care Program, could change the way clinicians look at treating heart conditions. Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done to treat patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm problem. Some patients are in atrial fibrillation all the time and suffer from palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue. Until recently, it was believed that clinicians had to perform extra ablation on top of the standard procedure to get better results. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the international research study, Approaches to Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AF), reveals the simplest and fastest way to treat persistent AF by ablation has proven to be as effective as the other two most common, more complicated techniques that require additional intervention. The study followed 589 patients with AF from 48 centres in 12 countries. They were enrolled between November 2010 and July 2012. Patients were randomly assigned to one 38

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dr. atul verma

of three procedures. One was the “standard” shorter procedure that involves using small wires inside the heart to burn away abnormal tissues around the pulmonary veins (an area that has been shown to transmit electrical signals that trigger AF). The other two procedures involved adding more ablation to the standard procedure. Patients were then rigorously monitored each week for 18 months. In the end, doctors involved in the research study were surprised to learn that patients experienced the same, if not better results, after undergoing the shorter “standard” ablation procedure compared to patients who had the more extensive procedures. “The results are dramatic and will likely change guidelines that currently recommend doing more involved interventional procedures to treat AF,” says Dr. Verma. “Although we often think that doing more is better for the patient, it is important to test this in proper clinical trials. Sometimes more is not better.” Affecting millions of people worldwide, including 200,000 Canadians, AF is a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and erratically, disturbing the heart’s ability to adequately pump blood to its lower chambers and the rest of the body. The condition is

responsible for 15 to 20 per cent of all strokes, is a contributor to heart failure and is a leading cause of hospitalizations, causing debilitating symptoms and poor quality of life. “I am thrilled that we have produced this level of research here at Southlake. This really speaks to the cutting-edge, international calibre of cardiac care we offer,” says Dr. Verma. “I’m very happy that data from our hospital has the potential to change practice around the world and make a difference for the patients we treat.” Southlake president and CEO Dr. Dave Williams echoes those sentiments: “It is exciting to see Dr. Verma’s study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical journals. Our clinicians are at the forefront of innovative research that has the potential to further elevate the world-class care we provide to cardiac patients. I am very proud of the level of clinical research that is happening at our hospital.”

For more information about Southlake and its award-winning people, programs and services, visit the Celebrating our Successes page at southlakeregional.org.

HeALtH CAre: A LooK AHeAD From cause awareness to celebrating health care professionals, each month there are many health observances on the calendar. By directing your monthly cause donations to Southlake, your gift will help transform the lives of patients closer to home.

SePteMBer Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Men’s Cancer Health Awareness Month National Arthritis Month Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Blood Cancer Awareness Month

World Alzheimer’s Day September 21 World Heart Day September 29

oCtoBer Autism Awareness Month Brain Tumour Awareness Month Eye Health Month Lupus Awareness Month Mental Illness Awareness Week October 4 to 10 World Arthritis Day October 12 World Mental Health Day October 10 World Stroke Day October 29

Celebrating Great Care Southlake is proud to be home to so many talented and caring health care professionals. Say thank you to a special health care provider with a tribute gift in his or her name! National Occupational Therapy Month Respiratory Therapists Week October 18 to 24

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Routine cancer screening for women ages 50 to 74 is an effective approach to early detection of breast cancer. When cancer is discovered in its early stages, more treatment options are available and there is a better chance of survival. Southlake is an Ontario Breast Screening Program and Breast Assessment Aﬃliate site.

sue templeton

Find out how cancer screening at Southlake saved Newmarket resident Sue Templeton’s life on page 16. JIM CRAIGMYLe PHOTOGRAPH

SU M M E R 2 0 1 5

foundation NEWS

rUn or WALK For SoUtHLAKe SURPaSSeS GoAL On Sunday, April 26, thousands of our community members came out to support their hospital at the 2015 Run or Walk for Southlake, presented by Nature’s Emporium. This year’s event was the most successful to date, with over 1,900 participants raising an astonishing $280,000 NET for Southlake, surpassing the event’s 2015 goal. With the funds raised at this year’s event, the Run or Walk for Southlake has raised a total of $1 million NET for Southlake since the inception of the event. “A number like that only comes once in a lifetime,” says Neila Poscente, President & CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. “It’s so inspiring to see that our community cares so much about their hospital!” The Run or Walk for Southlake is the evolution of the Bob Hartwell Challenge that began with a group of friends to pay tribute to local businessman, civic leader and avid runner Bob Hartwell. As he looked into the crowd of thousands of participants and supporters, event co-chair Steve Hinder told participants how proud Bob would be to see what the event has grown into, and how much money has been raised for Southlake. Run Ambassador Jamie Pimek also addressed the crowd, sharing his experience about the care he received at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. “Living so close to a world-class cancer centre made my life that much easier during a difficult time,” he told the crowd. “Thank you for coming out today and raising money for Southlake. It is an incredible thing to have a hospital like this so close to home.” This year’s event had an enormous boost

dr. dave Williams, soutHlake president and ceo, robin taylor-smitH, event co-cHair, neila poscente, soutHlake foundation president and ceo, steve Hinder, event co-cHair, mike smitH, emcee, and Joe d’addario from title sponsor nature’s emporium pose for a selfie during tHe opening ceremonies.

from team participation, with teams raising more than $68,000 of the total pledging dollars. Each team had their own reason for walking or running – many doing so in support of family members, friends and colleagues being treated at Southlake, or those who have had their lives transformed by the care received at our hospital. Participants tweeted their photos throughout the event and by 10 a.m. #runforsouthlake was the top trending hashtag in Canada! An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors. A big thank you goes to title sponsor, Nature’s Emporium for all that they did to promote the event. “For Joe, Mary and the team at Nature’s, their involvement doesn’t end with sponsorship,” Ms Poscente says. “They also generate donations and awareness at both of their locations in Newmarket and Maple, and they have a team that runs in the event each year.” With more than 35 corporate sponsors supporting the event, it is clear that our local business community cares about Southlake and the wellbeing of all the residents of the area. Thanks also to the outstanding Run or Walk for Southlake committee, who put in an enormous amount of time and energy to creating this year’s event. We are also grateful to York Region Police and Central York Fire Services,

who ensured a safe event for the whole family, and also to the Towns of Aurora and Newmarket and York Region for all that they did to help facilitate the event.

top fundraisers TEAMS Bank - Scotiabank, $25,000 Friends & Family - Team Pete, $18,286 Corporate - Hustle for Hugh (TELUS), $9,585 Municipal - Team Aurora, $7,025 Hospital - Stronach Linear Accelerators, $5,675 Community Group - Aurora Soccer Club, $ 2,005 School - St. Nicholas CES, $1,235 INDIVIDUALS 12 & under: Raif, $525; Cassidy, $2,895 13-18: Ryan, $570; Kirsten, $1,000 19+: Tom Nemeth, $5,660; Robin Macken, $1,900

members of tHe top friends & family team “team pete” sHoW tHeir support. 40

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CoMMUNIty eVeNt lIStINGS eVentS SuppORtinG SOuthlake “ChIP IN” FOR CaNCER REsEaRCh IN hONOuR OF LauRIE BuCKLaND tuesday, July 7 Wooden Sticks Golf Club Greg Seeman, 905-852-4379 meagan Vallant, 905-852-4379 info@woodensticks.com DuNCaN sCOWCROFt GOLF CLassIC Saturday, July 11 Wooden Sticks Golf Club andrea Scowcroft, andrea.scowcroft@sympatico.ca duncanscowcroftgolfclassic.com Supporting transform a life POLO FOR thE CuRE WOMEN’s POLO tOuRNaMENt Sunday, July 19 toronto polo Club, 13401 leslie St., Gormley Donna Malloy, 416-407-6004, malloy.donna@gmail.com Jennifer Gaylor, 905-904-1335, jen.gaylor@sympatico.ca poloforthecure.com Supporting breast Cancer ORChaRD BEaCh PRO-aM ChaRItY tOuRNaMENt tuesday, July 28 Orchard beach Golf Club, 905-895-4388 Donna Cryderman, dcryderg118@rogers.com Cindy Scott, c.scott@rogers.com orchardbeachgolf.com NEWMaRKEt-taY POWER DIstRIButION LtD. aNNuaL GOLF tOuRNaMENt Friday, august 28 Shawneeki Golf Course Tammy Gravel, 905-953-8548 ext. 2246 Supporting transform a life

JOIa REstauRaNt GOLF tOuRNaMENt monday, September 14 St. andrew’s Valley Golf Club Joia Ristorante, 905-713-1411

tIMBERLaNE LaDIEs’ hOLIDaY LuNChEON, FashION shOW aND shOPPING EXPERIENCE 905-727-4252 Supporting Cancer and Cardiac

st. aNDREW’s VaLLEY GOLF CLuB MEN’s FaLL CLassIC Wednesday, September 16 St. andrew’s Valley Golf Club, peter Jackson, 905-727-7888

PRODUCTS & SERVICES SUPPORTING SOUTHLAKE IN hONOuR OF MaRLENE MaCPhERsON Get your copy of marlene’s Cookbook online while quantities last shop.marlenesmealmakeovers.com

JEFF GRahaM MEMORIaL GOLF CLassIC Friday, September 25 the Club at bond head John Graham, john-graham@hotmail.com jeﬀgrahamgolfclassic.com Supporting Southlake Foundation’s love lives here hospice campaign shOPPERs DRuG MaRt tREE OF LIFE CaMPaIGN September - October At participating Shoppers Drug Mart stores NOVEMBER 2015 EVENTS TO WATCH FOR! WaXING FOR sOuthLaKE brad O’Rourke, brad.orourke@yahoo.com Supporting the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre thREE aMIGOs aNNuaL GOLF tOuRNaMENt, INVItatIONaL EVENt mark Russell, mark.russell@bmRmanagement.ca Supporting the Diabetes Education Centre

BENsON KEaRLEY IFG Insurance Brokers & Financial Advisors $10 to Southlake for every no obligation quote. Supporting transform a life thRIFt OutLEt aND BIN LOCatIONs 6 The Queensway S. Sutton & 26602 Hwy 48 N Sutton West accepting gently used clothing, housewares and furniture donations. portion of proceeds support Southlake’s Regional Cancer program DONatE a CaR Donate a Car Canada accepts vehicle donations for Southlake Regional health Centre. Visit southlakefoundation.ca/about/friends for more information on how you can donate a car and transform lives, close to home. stEPs CLOthING BIN DONatIONs Southlake Campus and magna Centre location Supporting transform a life

FUNDRAISING FOR SOUTHLAKE IS

WaLK tO suPPORt stRONaCh REGIONaL CaNCER CENtRE Saturday, august 29 bradford Community Centre Kim Griﬃths, ladyjane69.42@hotmail.com 7th aNNuaL REDCREst/thE EDGE ChaRItY GOLF tOuRNaMENt thursday, September 3 Redcrest Cardinal Golf Club Carol leitch, carol.leitch@edgebeneﬁts.com redcrestedgegolf.com Supporting Southlake Foundation’s love lives here hospice campaign PEtER MILLER ChaRItaBLE FOuNDatION GOLF thursday, September 10 Silver lakes Golf Club gerry.miller@gmalaw.ca, 416-363-2614 or dustymiller@bellnet.ca, 416-990-6966 Supporting Southlake Foundation’s love lives here hospice campaign

1 2 3 4 ENGAGE THE FOUNDATION ARRANGE YOUR EVENT SHOWTIME! Contact us and we’ll help you get started.

Plan out the details.

Host your event.

YOUR WORK IS DONE!

Submit the proceeds to the Foundation and we’ll put them to work!

southlakefoundation.ca

su M M E R 2 0 1 5

last WORD

IT’S TIME TO BUTT OUT AT PATIOS, PLAYGROUNDS AND SPORTS FIELDS Let’s all do our part to protect kids from exposure to harmful eﬀects of second-hand smoke BY JOe LA MARCA

As of Jan. 1, 2015, it is illegal to smoke on and around children’s playgrounds, sport fields and surfaces (such as basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, splash pads and swimming pools) owned by municipalities, the province or post-secondary institutions, as well as on all bar and restaurant patios, whether covered or not. These are important enhancements to the Smoke-free Ontario Act, which already bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces. Not only does the new law expand the focus of the act to include outdoor places, it further protects children and youth from the negative effects of second-hand smoke. Every year, second-hand smoke kills about 1,000 non-smoking Canadians. While harmful to everyone, numerous studies have shown that infants and children are more vulnerable to its effects. Infants and children exposed to second-hand smoke are at greater risk for coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They are also at increased risk for development of cancer and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. In addition to protecting against secondhand smoke, the new smoke-free law will help prevent children and youth from viewing smoking as a normal social and recreational activity. The less they see adults smoking, the less likely they are to start themselves. Young people are also less likely to start smoking if it is difficult for them to buy tobacco. For this reason, the new law also includes a ban on the sale of tobacco products on college, university and private school campuses.

For more information about any of these programs or to ﬁnd out what other programs and services are offered, visit york.ca. 42

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York Region Public Health continues to work with the region’s nine municipalities, community sports organizations and restaurants and bars by using education, public awareness and signage to promote and encourage compliance with the new provincial smoke-free legislation. It’s anticipated that through these measures and by issuing warnings to first-time offenders, York Region will attain a high level of compliance. Tobacco control officers will continue to carry out inspections and respond to community complaints and inquiries. In instances where there may be repeated noncompliance, officers will issue fines. York Region has a long history of supporting tobacco control efforts in Ontario. In fact, this new legislation complements more recent initiatives by several of the region’s municipalities that implemented enhanced smoke-free bylaws and policies for outdoor recreational spaces. Additionally, all three hospitals within the region have proactively adopted wide-ranging smoke-free policies on their properties. Following suit, the province is currently developing legislation, due out later this year, which will entrench hospital smoke-free property policies into provincial law. As municipal and provincial legislation related to tobacco control continues to evolve and social attitudes towards smoking continue to change, Ontarians will be able to live, work and play healthier. For more information on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, visit york.ca/health and select substance use from the menu on the left. To report a smoking violation, contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653; TTY 1-866-252-9933 or email tobacco. referrals@york.ca Joe La Marca is Director of the Health Protection Division with York region Public Health.

if you’re trying to quit, keep at it! Most people who smoke want to quit, it can take several attempts before you are able to quit for good. Each attempt you make increases your chances of success – so don’t quit quitting! There are several proven options to assist you and plenty of supports to help you achieve success. The Canadian Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Helpline can help you develop your personal quit plan, provide ongoing support and connect you with community resources. Call 1-877-513-5333 or visit smokershelpline.ca. For more information on the eﬀects of tobacco use and on quitting smoking, visit york.ca/tobacco.

HONOUR SOUTHLAKE PHYSICIANS, NURSES AND VOLUNTEERS WITH A TRIBUTE GIFT.

YOUR GENEROSITY CAN HELP US TRANSFORM LIVES AT SOUTHLAKE. DONATE TODAY | www.southlakefoundation.ca

5 suMMer WAter SAFetY tiPS B Y L e e A N N W AT e R M A N

Whether it’s a week or two at the lake or regular afternoons in the backyard or public pool, some time in the water will be on the agenda for many families this summer. Making safety your ﬁrst priority will ensure fun for everyone. Follow these tips from Safe Kids Canada and the Canadian red Cross.

4 3

If children are playing in or around the water, they need active adult supervision. Even adults who are strong swimmers should take a buddy, particularly when swimming in open water.

Get schooled Swimming lessons are a great way to boost children’s conﬁdence in the water, give them valuable self-rescue and lifesaving skills and keep them active. Adults watching children in the water should also know how to swim and be trained in ﬁrst aid and CPR.

Know your surroundings

Backyard pools should be enclosed by four-sided, 1.2-metre fences with self-closing, self-latching gates. Be aware of currents, water temperature and depth when swimming in open water. Obey signs and signals (such as ﬂags) posted on the beach that indicate whether the water is safe to enter.

Buckle up

Whether you’re paddling a canoe or cruising in a 40-foot powerboat, you must have a Canadian-approved ﬂotation device or lifejacket of the proper size for every passenger on board. Safety experts advise you to wear it while on the water. Weak or poor swimmers and children under the age of ﬁve should also wear lifejackets while swimming. 44

Don’t go it alone

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Beware the sun

Wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and reapply every two hours. Stay hydrated. Drink at least 125 mL of water every half hour to an hour — and make sure your kids do, too!

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