Front Line Aug 2014

FRONT LINE
THE HIV/AIDS/HCV NEWSLETTER OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
SUMMER 2014
Volume 27 | Issue 2
The Year This Far…
IN THIS ISSUE:
Fundraising News
2
Fundraising continued
3
Education Update
4
Client Services Update
5
Volunteer Department News
6
Here and There...
7
Parting glance
8
Newsletter Committee
We are looking for 4 people to
form a Newsletter Committee.
You would help to find
information and materials to
submit. The newsletter will go
out 4 times a year and you would
need to attend 1 or 2 meetings
prior to the publication of each
issue. We would like to have
someone from both our HIV and
HCV clientele to join the
committee as well as two people
from the community. Current
volunteers are encouraged to
become a member and new
people are also very welcome.
Please call and speak with Selly
if you are interested in helping
out regularly with the agency
newsletter. Call 345-1516 ext
212
or
email
her
at
[email protected]
In June I had the opportunity to attend the Canadian AIDS Society's
Annual General Meeting. One of the topics that continues to be of
paramount importance to those living with HIV/AIDS and their allies is
HIV Non-Disclosure and the Law. elevate NWO will be doing its part to
raise awareness on this issue by creating a position statement. Our
goal is to release this document before the end of the year.
The fourth annual Hep C awareness BBQ was held in July.
Approximately 100 people were in attendance and the event was well
covered by the media. This year’s event focused on safe tattooing.
elevate NWO will soon be preparing to develop its next strategic plan.
This plan will act as a road map for the next three years and will help
us shape the work we do.
Our outreach team has been on the road a lot this summer. With
three road shows booked/completed out in the region and a
fourth invitation, these folks have been very busy. These road shows
act as a vital link to communities in our area that are often under
served.
This year’s AGM and Volunteer Appreciation took place in June. The
event was well attended and it was a wonderful opportunity to reflect
on what we as a community have accomplished over the last year. A
special thanks to all of our volunteers who continue to work shoulderto-shoulder with us to carry out our mandate.
Those are just a few of the highlights from the last few months. I look
forward to updating you on some of these issues in future
publications.
Sincerely
Holly Gauvin
Executive Director
Volunteer Appreciation 2014
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
Free T-shirt for every participant!
Prizes for the Top 3 Pledge Collectors &
Top Team
Top Walker Prizes: 1. WestJet flight
2. Stay at the Prince Arthur Hotel
3. IPad mini
Thursday, September 18, 2014
574 Memorial Avenue
Registration at 4:30 p.m.
Walk begins at 5:30 p.m.
Barbecue at 6:30 p.m.
INCENTIVES
Available for various levels of funds raised

t-shirts, hoodies, key chains, tote bags, and more
Register online at www.elevatenwo.org
Get yourself a sparkling red ribbon pin and show
your support for the Annual AIDS Walk For Life. A
donation of $5.00 will give you one of these lovely
mementos. Available at reception at the office at
574 Memorial Ave. and at the AIDS Walk. Your donation will support direct programs and services for
people living with HIV/AIDS in your community.
Page 2
Register online at www.elevatenwo.org
Thursday, September 18, 2014 is the date for the annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk For
Life. The Walk will go south down Memorial Ave. and back to the agency. After the
Walk there will be food available in the agency parking lot (the food is free for participants, however there will be a fee for non-participants). Food will be supplied by Cindy Loo Hoo. There will be gourmet hamburgers and French fries. The agency will supply beverages. We will have a musician to entertain you. New this year are various
vendors including Party Lite, Tupperware, Epicurist, plus others.
The Walk will begin and end at the offices of elevate NWO at 574 Memorial Ave. Sign
up online or come into the office to register. Find us on Facebook, too! Get together
with your family and friends and sign up as a team.
Raise pledges and win prizes. Prizes for the top three walkers are as follows: Walker
#1—WestJet flight; Walker #2—a stay at the Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel in a Jacuzzi room, including breakfast; Walker #3—an IPad mini. There will also be prizes for
the top team as well as incentive prizes at varying levels. These include t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, key chains and more.
Every step you take makes an enormous difference in the lives of people and families
infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. All the pledges you collect are used to help provide the
crucial programs and services our agency provides. Join us and make a difference!
It’s about taking that extra step for someone you care about. In some way we are all
affected by HIV/AIDS. This is why we ask you to help those that are truly in need by
raising funds and walking the route with us.
If you can’t make it out on the day of the Walk, don’t let that stop you from making a
contribution to this event. Support another walker or make a donation online. For
more information or to give your support, please visit us at: www.elevatenwo.org.
Page 3
EDUCATION UPDATE
World Hepatitis Day
One in 12 people around the world are infected with hepatitis B (HBV) and/or hepatitis
C (HCV). HCV is the liver virus of greatest concern in the Thunder Bay area, and elevate NWO chose to focus on safer tattooing to raise awareness that drug use is not the
only means of contracting this blood-borne infection.
Observed this year on Friday, July 25th, elevate NWO hosted a free barbeque, welcoming over 100 visitors. Guests were encouraged to wander down to the board room where
games, giveaways, information/resources and cake were available. The Street Nurses
from Thunder Bay District Health Unit were on hand to provide HIV and HCV testing,
as were Health Inspectors, also from TBDHU, with a display on Body Modifications
(safer tattooing and body art).
Our special guest this year was Robert R. Star Designs. With a line-up for airbrushed tattoos even before they were
fully set up in the front parking lot, they were still busy at clean-up time.
Thank you to all staff, clients and volunteers who pitched in to make the day fun, informative and efficient, and to The
Power Centre for lending us their canopy. It certainly came in handy to shade the diners from the bright sun.
——————————————————————
Page 4
SUPPORT SERVICES UPDATE
New Staff
Hi all! My name is Tara Osment, and as of April I have been your new Case Manager. Originally I am from Maple, Ontario, but have lived in Thunder Bay for the last 7 years working
in social services and learning about life in Thunder Bay. I come from a criminal justice and
addictions background and look forward to learning more about HIV/AIDS/HCV from the
elevate NWO community and being given the opportunity to grow in the role as well as
contribute what I have learned by hands-on experience in the field. So far the staff and
clients have all been super welcoming and have made the transition easy!
Hello Everyone! My name is Tracey MacKinnon & I’m the new “Growing Together” Program Support Assistant here at elevate NWO. I’ve been here for three months now &
slowly finding my footing with the help of my peers, staff, volunteers, family & friends. I
have been involved with elevate NWO (formerly AIDS Thunder Bay) since my arrival here
in Thunder Bay, Ontario 3.5 years ago from North Vancouver, BC. I’m also the very Proud
Mother of a recent University Undergraduate! Way 2 go Brandon! I’d like to thank staff,
clients, peers for their warm welcome & support in my three months here. Hugs to you
all! I want to hear your thoughts, ideas, concerns, what works, what doesn’t. What you
would like to see/do. Without you all I wouldn’t be here. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tracey
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Outreach Program
Outreach at elevate NWO is comprised of two outreach and engagement workers who do street-based outreach with a focus on harm reduction, education, prevention and awareness of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and the
distribution of unused drug equipment (eg. Unused needles, safe inhalation kits and condoms). Outreach
workers at elevate NWO try to engage the hard to reach clients where they are at. They engage with sex
trade workers as well. They also do referrals, help with paperwork, and do one-on-one counselling if needed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
World Hep Day displays
Jennifer H. was the winner of the Healthy
Liver Cookbook.
Page 5
VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT NEWS
Here’s what’s
happening in the
coming months:





AIDS Walk—Thurs.
Sept. 18, 2014
Waffle Breakfast—
Sat. Feb. 14, 2015
Tag Day—April 4,
2015
A Taste For Life—
Wed. April 22, 2015
AGM—June 2015
(date TBA)
If you would like to volunteer
for any of these events,
please call Selly at 3451516
Needed: Drivers
For an hour or two occasionally
Attention
all
clients,
volunteers and visitors to
the elevate NWO office.
We are a ‘scent-free’
building. Please do not
wear colognes, perfumes,
aftershave, or scented
makeup or hairspray
when
visiting
our
premises. They have been
known to cause allergic
reactions for staff, clients
and volunteers. Some
scented fabric softeners
have
also
caused
reactions.
Page 6
Our 2014 Volunteer of the Year is Carol Nicholson. Carol has
been volunteering continuously with our agency since 1998.
However, she did volunteer with the AIDS Committee of
Thunder Bay for a while before that, beginning in 1992. She
then left the city for a few years, but came right back to us
when she returned. She has volunteered in many and varied
positions, including at reception, driving, in the library, selling
raffle tickets, baking for different events, at the Street Festival, at socials, at a Women’s Health Fair, on the agency databases, as a minute-taker, at the AIDS Walk, the Opening
Doors Counselling Conference, tag days, the A Taste For Life
event, the Garden Party, the AGM, and the Waffle Breakfast.
She sits on the board of directors and has also been a member of various committees. I
think I’ve covered all the jobs she has done, but there could be something I’ve missed.
As you can see, she has been very involved and very invaluable to the agency. She does
her work exceedingly well and with a smile on her face and a positive attitude. We are
very happy and very fortunate to have Carol volunteering with us and really appreciate
all she has done and continues to do for us.
Upcoming events include the AIDS Walk, the Waffle Breakfast, Tag Day, A Taste For Life,
and our Annual General Meeting. For the AIDS Walk on Thursday, September 18, we will
require people to help set up and clean up after the event. Several people are needed to
be Route Marshalls and guide the walkers along the designated route. We will also need
people to help with the food setup. You can take part in the walk even if you are volunteering.
We are looking for people interested in driving. You would use the agency vehicle to
drive people to and from appointments, events and meetings. This is an occasional volunteer position. I would call and let you know the day and the time we need a driver and
you would let me know if you are available. Requirements include a valid driver’s license, being a registered volunteer of elevate NWO (that means coming in for an interview with me that takes about an hour), and a vehicle orientation that takes about an
hour.
Volunteering and Healthy Aging
Did you know that Canadian seniors volunteer an average of 223 hours each
year? This is great news for Canada’s seniors, because volunteering can play a
vital role in healthy aging. Remaining active and staying connected to the community can have a positive impact on a person’s social, physical and emotional
wellbeing. Studies indicate that older adults who volunteer have reduced stressrelated illnesses, higher self-esteem and are less likely to feel isolated.
Volunteering is a great way for seniors to:
 Put free time to good use




Meet new people
Gain new experiences
Share your skills and knowledge
Keep your body active
Here and There...
Joep Lange Memorial
For Information About AIDS or HIV Infection:
Call the AIDS Hotline at 1-800-668-2437
About Superior Points:
Call 624-2005, 625-8830 or 625-8831
About Anonymous HIV Testing in Thunder
Bay
Call 625-5981 or 624-2000
About Regular HIV Testing
Call the Sexual Health Clinics 625-5976 or 6242000
About Counselling or Referrals
Call elevate NWO 345-1516
About HIV/AIDS Treatment Information
Call Catie (Community AIDS Treatment
Information Exchange) 1-800-263-1638
About Legal Issues
Call the HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario
(HALCO), Tel. 416-340-7790 / 1-888-705-8889
Service bilingue disponible
ALL CALLS CONFIDENTIAL
Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time)
CATIE
Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
1-800-263-1638
HIV/AIDS Treatment Information
email: [email protected]
Creative Project
This year our creative community-building project was
‘Positive Portraits’. Facilitators Rene Boucher, Fred Young and
Director of Client Services Dave Veneruzzo held a portrait
painting retreat at Mink Mountain Resort. Twelve clients
were guided in painting self-portraits reflecting their experiences being HIV or HCV positive. These amazing portraits
were shown at this year’s Opening Doors Counselling Conference in May and then at our Volunteer Appreciation/Annual
General Meeting in June. Keep an eye out for a 2015 calendar
featuring these portraits, available at the end of this year.
internet: www.catie.ca
The opinions and medical information offered by
“Front Line” are those of the individual authors and
not necessarily those of the staff and Board of
Directors of elevate NWO. Medical information
offered should be used at your own discretion. Please
consult your doctor.
Please address any comments or concerns to:
Front Line
574 Memorial Ave.
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 3Z2
Or, e-mail us at: [email protected]
Visit us on the internet at: www.elevatenwo.org
Page 7
PARTING GLANCE
elevate NWO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carol Bamford
Fran Dutli
Maureen Kahn
Lyn McInnis
Ruth Racic
Brent Trudell
Nancee Day
Dennis Eeles
Gary Mack
Carol Nicholson
Sandra Russell
elevate NWO acknowledges and thanks our
various funders:

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care AIDS Bureau and Hepatitis C Secretariat

Public Health Agency of Canada, Ontario Region
(ACAP)
And all of the people involved in general fundraising and
the support of many local businesses and individuals.
elevate NWO STAFF
Wayne Amirault
Allison Anderson
Joanne Clark
Vacant
Rob Davey
Holly Gauvin
Michelle Gentile
Bonnie Hari
Christina Henry
Annie Jollymore
Vacant
Tracey MacKinnon
Tara Osment
Selly Pajamaki
Leeann Ryder
Eric Shih
Dave Veneruzzo
Fred Young
Fred Young &
Annie Jollymore
Food Security Worker
Hepatitis C Treatment Nurse
Dir. Of Finance & Resources
Outreach Worker
Outreach Worker
Executive Director
Case Worker
Receptionist
Hepatitis C Treatment Nurse
Hep C & IDU Com. Developer
Dir. Of Community Dev.
Program Support Assistant
Case Worker
Coordinator of Vol. Services
Program Support Assistant
Blood-to-Blood Proj. Coord.
Dir. Of Client Services
Treatment & Intake Worker
Education/Support Grp. Facil.
FRONT LINE CONTRIBUTORS
Selly Pajamaki
Editor
ATB staff, volunteers and clients
Secret Santa Program
This year’s Secret Santa promises to be better than ever! The team at elevate NWO has been working hard
to come up with an easier way to coordinate this gift giving program. This year, if you are a client, come to
the office during the month of November and we will provide you with a white paper gift bag that is numbered. All you need to do is add your age, gender and a picture of one item you would like to receive for
Christmas (gifts items should be 50 dollars or less).
And yes, you can fill out one for your children and partner too! Note: children eligible are those 18 and under
who are living with you.
If you are planning to be a gift giver: Come to the office during the month of December and select a bag or
bags to coordinate gifts. You can choose by age, gender or gift type.
Want to help but don't want to do the shopping? elevate NWO gratefully accepts
cash, cheque or gift cards in any denomination. Simply mark on the envelope
that it’s for secret Santa and we will take care of the rest.
All gift items and food will be distributed December 18 &19. Please have any
items you wish to donate at the office by December 16th or call to arrange pick
up.
Thank you for all of your past generosity. These gifts mean the world to our clients during the holiday season!
Page 8
Brain Fog
Adapted from: http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2012/06/the-connection-between-brain-fog-and-liver-health/
Most of us take our ability to think, remember and process information for granted. We view the brain as the headquarters of our intelligence and personality--unless something interferes with alertness. One form of interference is
“brain fog”; the dulling of cognitive function that is a familiar, but unwelcome sensation to many of us. For most, brain
fog is a mild, fleeting occurrence; however, brain fog can be a major source of distress. While there are several reasons
for mental fogginess, people with a chronic liver disease are particularly prone to brain fog.
Brain fog refers to mental confusion or a lack of mental clarity, and can include feeling spacey, forgetful, lost and fatigued. It’s associated with difficulty thinking, concentrating and focusing. The frequency and severity of brain fog can
vary significantly – and have a host of different causes.
Most episodes of brain fog can be attributed to one of the following causes:
Low on Fuel – The brain consumes approximately 30% of our caloric intake. Anything that impairs energy production can lead to insufficient fuel for optimal brain function.
Low on Fluid – Nearly every human function requires water and about 70% of the brain is composed of water. If
the brain’s cells are not properly hydrated, cognitive function declines.
Excess Toxins – The brain requires a lot of blood flow to function, making it one of the first organs to be affected
by toxins in the bloodstream. Any condition that impairs the filtering of toxins from the blood can result in brain
fog.
Despite commonly being dismissed as a vague, unimportant complaint, brain fog is one of the more common symptoms of chronic liver disease, likely due to the impairment of energy production and blood detoxification.
Detoxification – One of the liver’s primary functions is to filter toxins out of the blood. When battling chronic liver
disease, the liver accumulates scars – some of which may become permanent. The more scarred a liver becomes,
the less effective it is at removing toxins from the blood supply.
Energy Production – Another prime role of the liver is carbohydrate metabolism. The liver converts carbohydrates into glucose and glycogen. Glucose is used instantly for energy and glycogen is stored by the liver for later
energy needs. The more damage the liver incurs from chronic liver disease, the less able the organ is to produce
and store energy.
A combination of toxins in the bloodstream and lowered energy levels make brain fog a probable outcome of chronic
liver disease. But there is hope. For the majority of people, strategies to stay properly hydrated, minimize toxin exposure and provide the brain with sufficient energy are crucial to having a clear head. In addition, those with liver concerns can benefit from dietary and lifestyle – a positive recipe for easing the fatigue, disorientation and frustration
characteristic of brain fog.
HIV Virus Combats Cancer
7-year old Emily Whitehead’s cancer treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia went viral last year when a
modified form of the HIV virus was used to insert new genetic material into her T-cells. The result? The modified Tcells helped her immune system attack her acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Developed by a team at the University of Pennsylvania, the treatment is in clinical trials. And Emily’s not the only success story: Nine out of 12 patients in a 2012 study are now cancer-free after their immune cells were dosed with the
virus.
The technique is not without risks, but being infected with HIV isn’t one of them. In a unique twist, while the modified
HIV virus may attack cancer, Harvard researchers say a cancer treatment may fight HIV. New research presented at
the International AIDS Conference shows that two HIV-positive men with cancer who were given bone-marrow transplants had the HIV levels in their blood drop to undetectable amounts. A year on, both men have stopped taking medication to control their HIV. Doctors can’t say for sure that they’re cured, but extensive tests still can’t find any trace of
HIV.
--From: CHATELAINE, January 2014 p. 80.
Front Line
Insert 1
Complimentary Alternative Therapies
Many times we as nurses are asked about how complimentary alternative therapies can help alleviate some
of the symptoms of HCV and some of the side effects of treatment. Examples of these are vitamins, herbs,
teas, Native Aboriginal medicine, massage and/or aromatherapy.
Two common herbs used to help the liver are milk thistle and licorice root. Milk thistle’s scientific name is
silybum marianum. It is thought to be an antioxidant which means it may help fight a destructive chemical
process in the body known as "oxidation." In oxidation, harmful substances produced in the body (called
free radicals) can damage cells. Some studies suggest that silymarin can prevent these substances from
damaging liver cells. Silybum is also thought to prevent inflammation in the liver and promote cell growth.
Licorice root’s scientific name is Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is thought to display antiviral and have antiinflammatory properties. It is often made into a tea for consumption.
The use of the Aboriginal medicine wheel focuses on the interconnectedness of life and the balance of spiritual, mental, physical and emotional. Smudging is smoke used for ritual cleaning. Sacred medicines such as
cedar, sage, sweetgrass or tobacco are burned in an abalone shell. A sweat lodge or purification lodge is a
ceremonial sauna also used for cleaning. These practises are thought to help cleanse the body and mind of
toxins.
Massage can be used to promote wellness and for stress relief, but it can also be used to treat many conditions. Benefits include improving circulation of blood and lymph, relaxing muscles and improving joint mobility.
Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils for improving and maintaining health and beauty
by utilizing essential oils to enable the body’s natural healing process. Essential Oils are highly concentrated
and can be inhaled or can be applied to the skin in small quantities. A few drops can be added to a bath.
Peppermint oil is thought to stimulate healthy bile flow from liver and gall bladder. Juniper oil is thought to
detoxify the liver and help eliminate wastes from the body.
Though complementary therapies do not rid the body of the Hepatitis C virus and have no concrete scientific proof that they work there is a strong support in the idea of the placebo effect. If you believe it is helping you then the mental benefits are invaluable.
The following websites were used as sources of information in the creation of this article:
http://nccam.nih.gov/
http://www.med.uottawa.ca/sim/data/Aboriginal_Medicine_e.htm
http://www.hfwc.ca/s_massage.asp
http://cfacanada.com/aromatherapy/
Allison Anderson and Christina Henry, Hep C Nurses
Front Line
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