The Northern Light - Canadian Red Cross

Volume 3, Issue 7
The Northern Light
December
2005
Caring for Medically Under-serviced Areas Motivates Canadian Anaesthetist
By Bernard Barrett, Canadian Red Cross
“I believe that every person should have the right to
quality health care, no matter where they live,” says
Dr. Julie Williams, an anaesthetist working with the
Canadian Red Cross at the Kilinochchi Hospital in
northern Sri Lanka.
“I am in a position where I can travel, so I feel I
should contribute to under-serviced areas both at
home and overseas.”
But Dr. Williams notes her international work is
rewarding for her as well.
“I enjoy it,” she says, “It allows me to give back
to the community and to expand the scope of my professional practice by seeing different kinds of cases.”
A graduate in anaesthetics from the University
of Western Ontario, 36-year-old, Dr. Williams now practices at the Isaac Walton Killam Children’s Hospital in Halifax. She has worked in northern Canada, in Kenya and taken part in ten
short missions with Operation Smile, which provides cleft palate surgery in developing countries.
A R E Y O U P R E P A R E D
F O R T H E N E X T D I S A S T E R ?
This is her second mission to Sri Lanka, having worked in Putthukkudiyiruppu about an
hour east of Kilinochchi with Medécins Sans Frontières in 2002-2003.
“The area is now more developed than what I remember,” she says, “The roads are better
and there is more in the shops. At that time the Kilinochchi hospital wasn’t doing very much, but it
has taken big steps since then.”
Her goal for her three-month mission is to properly equip a solid anaesthetics unit and
train the people working there.
“They have the basic equipment there now,” she explains, “But the Canadian Red Cross
will be upgrading the standards with new equipment, helping to expand the array of medications available and ensuring a proper supply of consumables.”
“I am very impressed by the staff at the hospital,” says Dr. Williams, “They really care
about their patients despite being seriously short-staffed. They come to work eager and with a
smile, wanting to ensure their patients are treated with dignity. It keeps me enthusiastic about
what I do. I don’t allow myself to get bogged down in the little frustrations.”
Inside this issue:
The Northern Light is...
… a monthly update to keep our valued volunteers
of the Canadian Red Cross and partners informed
on what’s new in the Northern District of Nova
Scotia, serving the counties of Colchester,
Cumberland, Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough!
If you have any articles or news you would like us
to include contact us at (902) 895-3894, or fax
(902) 895-3860. Deadline is the last Monday of
every month.
“Basket” Contest Winner
2
Holiday Gatherings
3
Volunteer of the Month
4
Fund Raising
5
Holiday Office Closures
6
Word Find
8
We Need Your HELP
There are volunteer opportunities at the Pictou HELP depot. If you have 2 hours per week to spare on a weekday
morning or afternoon and would like to get involved in the HELP program we would love to hear from you. Contact
Martin at 895-3894 in Truro or call the Pictou HELP depot at 485-1789
Oct 2005 Total
Nov 2005 Total
Loans
182
176
Returns
193
144
Transactions
375
320
Clients
168
152
Donations
93
73
Total Donations
$3739.47
$2421.07
Northern Statistics
Pictured right is Audrey McAfferty, winner of the
Disaster Preparedness Basket, Congratulations Audrey and
thanks for supporting the Red Cross. This was a very successful fund rasier for our local Disaster Services Program. Special Thanks to everyone who sold and bought
tickets!
— Buckle Up —
More people than ever drive during the Holiday’s. At this time
please make sure everyone in the car is secured properly.
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The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people
by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
Students from the C.E.C. High School in Truro have been holding a fundraiser for the
Red Cross local Disaster Services.
The orange bracelets (with key chains) are being sold for only $2, while supplies last.
To purchase a bracelet in support contact the Truro Service Center
— (902) 895-3894 —
HOLIDAY GATHERINGS
— Volunteer Social —
Dec. 8th
Truro Service Centre Volunteer Social
Start time is at 6:30pm
With a special presentation and potluck
Dec. 14th
Amherst Service Centre Volunteer Social
5:00—8:00 p.m.
Would you know how to recognize a heart attack?
People suffering from a heart attack may deny that anything is wrong. Be that Somebody that knows how to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and what to do to save a life.
Call 1-877-356-3226 today to book your First Aid Course
VO L U M E 3 , IS SU E 7
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Dec. 10th is
- International Human Rights day -
Saturday the 10th is a day of unity, it’s the anniversary of a day some 50 years ago when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was accepted. The idea outlines every persons basic rights.
- Our right to equality, life, liberty and security of person.
- The Declaration prohibits all forms of discrimination based on
- race, color, sex, language,
- religion, national or social origin
- property, birth, opinion or other status.
If you’d like more information about this day and what it means to each of us, visit the Canadian Gov’t web
site at...
— www.canada.gc.ca —
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Pictured left is Shallan Richards. Shallan is a volunteer with the Pictou
County YMCA. She raised $370 for Hurricane Katrina Relief in October during a “haunted house.”
Shallan, your leadership and dedication to helping others is
noticed by the community and appreciated! Great Job!!!
Also pictured is Richard Nelson, ERTTeam leader for Pictou County)
Basic Emergency Management Awareness
A special thank you to Carl Shaw, Emergency Measures Coordinator for Colchester,
Truro and Stewiacke for hosting this
awareness session. We appreciate our partnership with you Carl !
Get Prepared for Winter
BRRRRRRR.......The winter months bring upon us some extra challenges. From being stranded in our homes to experiencing power outages, it is a good idea to be ready for winter’s surprises before they happen. Here’s some tips on how to stay prepared.
•
Keep a list of important information on each family member, such as:
name, date of birth, diseases, allergies, medication, along with the
names and telephone numbers of the family doctors.
•
Draw up a list of important municipal telephone numbers (police station, fire station, poison control centre, etc.). The list should be posted
next to every telephone in your home.
•
Always have a Red Cross first aid kit on hand. Store it in a dry place
and replace used or expired items on a regular basis. You can purchase
a kit at any Red Cross office or inquire at 1-877-356-3226.
•
Draw up an evacuation plan for your home in the event of a fire.
•
Keep emergency provisions for at least 72 hours (drinking water,
canned goods, dried food, batteries, etc.) in the event of power outage or
any other disaster.
•
Always keep in mind any special needs in your family and ensure that
you have items like medications on hand.
•
If you have pets, be sure to have enough food and water on hand for
them too.
“H a p p y B i r t h d a y”
Victoria Fisher on
Tuesday December 13th
From your fellow volunteers
VO L U M E 3 , IS SU E 7
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Emergency Response Team Meetings
Colchester: January 9 at 6:30 p.m., Truro Service Centre
Guest speaker: Dominic Fewer of EMO, NS.
Cumberland: January 31 at 6:30 p.m., Amherst Service Centre
Guest speaker: Laurel Hamilton, discussing CISM
Pictou: January 10 at 6:30 p.m., Pictou Fire Hall
Guest speaker: Kirk MacKenzie, from Salvation Army
To:
Fr:
Volunteers and Partners
Staff of NS Region
Holiday Office Closures
And Times
DECEMBER 23
Friday
8:30am - 12 noon For Christmas Eve
DECEMBER 26
Monday
Closed
For Christmas Day
DECEMBER 27
Tuesday
Closed
For Boxing Day
DECEMBER 28
Wednesday
8:30am - 4:30pm
DECEMBER 29
Thursday
8:30am - 4:30pm
DECEMBER 30
Friday
8:30am - 12 noon For New Year’s Eve
JANUARY 2
Monday
Closed
JANUARY 3
Tuesday
Back to Regular Hours
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For New Year’s Day
To all our dear Volunteers, you continue to answer the call for assistance and participation.
Your effort does not go unnoticed. We value you and your persistance! Thank you!
11. unsupervised, 12. safety.
1. friend, 2. alone, 3. adult, 4.wear, 5.assists, 6.whistle, 7.clothing, 8. zone, 9. ice, 10. open,
— Answer —
VO L U M E 3 , IS SU E 7
Page 7
It’s LOTOMANIA time of year!!!!!
Tickets are on sale now!
$35.00 per ticket 4 for $100.00
Tickets will sell quickly, so don’t miss your chance to “Live Free for a Year”. Win cash prizes or one of
1,250 other great prizes. Tickets on sale at the Truro & Amherst Service Centre. The BIG draw will
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