Greetings

MENTAL HEALTH AND YOU

If it’s not your own experience, it could be that of a colleague, a friend, or a loved one. Most likely, someone you know has struggled with mental illness. One out of every fi ve of us will experience mental health concerns at some point in our lives. And all of us indirectly will be aff ected. That’s why it’s so important to secure the resources necessary to meet our region’s mental health needs.

Royal Columbian Hospital is taking a major step forward this year as construction begins on a new 75-bed Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre. The goal is to off er help to the thousands of people each year who need mental health care. People like Joyce Kubu-Haynes and Janice Kirkrod.

In this issue of Your Health Matters, you will fi nd the stories of these two women, who have spent much of their adult lives managing their mental illnesses. Their journeys have included setbacks along the way, but both are grateful for the care that has helped them to remain a part of their communities.

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation proudly commits to raising $9.1 million towards the new Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre. With the generosity of donors like you, we will open this much-needed facility and help people, like Joyce and Janice, who require specialized care to manage their illness and live fulfi lling lives.

Health Matters ROYAL COLUMBIAN HOSPITAL FOUNDATION Your

EdITOR Jason Howe

COnTRIBUTInG PHOTOGRAPHERS Jerald Walliser

LAYOUT & dESIGn Gary Slavin

COVER dESIGn Paula Heal

PUBLISHEd BY New Westminster Record

5

CONTENTS Health Matters

VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1 Your

We welcome your comments on Your Health Matters magazine. Please email info@rchfoundation.com or write to us c/o Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, 330 East Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC V3L 3W7.

Established in 1978, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation raises millions of dollars annually to purchase medical equipment, fund innovative programs, and support training and research. To donate, please visit www.rchfoundation.com or call 604-520-4438.

10

12

Greetings Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation Chair Doug Eveneshen and Foundation President and CEO Jeff Norris Inspired giving Behind-the-scenes briefs Humble legacy In loving memory of Diane Les Rediscovered pleasure Treatment by gastroenterologist brings relief after 42 years Light at the end of the tunnel Work is underway to open a new 75-bed Mental Health and Substance Use Wellness Centre 2 4 5 7 8

Release valve TAVI provides minimally-invasive option to replace heart valve In the family Father and son choose healthy following open heart surgery Sudden distress New parents take comfort in neonatal care following emergency birth Traumatic tear The race to repair the body’s main artery following a collision Picture perfect Q&A with Royal Columbian cardiac catheterization lab nurse Marjorie Colclough 10 11 12 14 15