Russell Expanding Community Cancer Care Committee (ECCC) receives another donation- Eunice Koss and Betty Beischer, members of the Russell ECCC accepted a $20,000 donation from (front row;) Councilor Darlene Jackson back row: Councilor Judy Usiner, Reeve Grant Boryskavich, Councilor Albert Holopina, Councilor Brett Bauereiss, Councilor John Pickup and (front right) Councilor Kathy Bennett, members of the RM of Riding Mountain West council. The money has been earmarked for equipment for the Cancer Care Unit. Fundraising continues for equipment and paving of a new parking lot, designated for chemotherapy patients.
Deloraine’s Hope Floats recognized for 20 years of giving back to cancer support initiatives
Deloraine’s Hope Floats recognized for 20 years of giving back to cancer support initiatives
For two decades, a group of dedicated ladies in and around Deloraine have led breast cancer awareness and fundraising efforts to support area cancer programs. What began in 2003 as ‘Hope Floats, Friends Fighting Cancer’ culminated with the recent recognition of donations to cancer programs in Deloraine, Brandon and the Canadian Cancer Society totalling over $100 thousand during the past 20 years.
Hope Floats 2023 Back Row: Brittany Coupland, Belinda Hobbs, Vicki Caldwell, Shireen Babcock, Val Perriman, Donna Whenham, Nancy Nickel and Susan McKinnon. Front Row: Judy Wells, Lori Main, Sandra Hainsworth and Chelsea Hainsworth Missing: Lorrie Weidenhamer, Tammy Olson, Crystal Beernaert and Pat Whiteside.
Lori Main, one of the original group members, says what started as a team in the Relay for Life at the International Peace Gardens near Boissevain has stayed together, putting on various fundraisers over the years.
“Hope Floats was formed in 2003, three years after I had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 35,” Main said.
“I saw the poster for the Relay for Life event that was to be held at the Peace Gardens that summer and asked my friends, who were by my side through my cancer battle, to join me! Relay for Life was amazing, and our friendships with people from our neighbouring communities have lasted all these years.”
“We loved the Relay for Life events but in 2008, we decided to come up with a new idea to raise money for cancer, and that’s when the “Hope Floats, Friends Fighting Cancer” Cookbook was published. The cookbook contained recipes dedicated to someone battling cancer or in honour of someone we lost to the dreaded disease. There are recipes in the book from all over the world. The first year that our cookbook was published was amazing, and we were able to donate approximately $22,000 to Relay for Life,” Main stated.
In 2012, as the Relay for Life initiative began to subside, the group pivoted to focus fundraising towards the Deloraine Cancer Care Unit, the Radiation Unit at the Brandon Regional Health Centre and the Forget-Me-Knot Quilters – a group of local ladies that make quilts and generously give one to every patient who receives chemotherapy at the Deloraine Cancer Care Unit.
“Over the years, we had 27 ladies who belonged to Hope Floats at one time or another; remarkably, eight members have stayed on for the entire 20 years. Hope Floats members are a group of sisters, we may not be close friends, but we always felt a kinship between us. We had each other’s back!”
Hope Floats at Manitoba Legislature March 20, 2023 From left to right: Irene Lanchbery, Val Perriman, Lori Main, Honourable Doyle Piniuk, Sandra Hainsworth and Donna Whenham.
In 2023, Hope Floats decided that after 20 years of doing their best to assist in the fight against cancer, they would bring their collective efforts to an end. On March 20, 2023, the group was recognized for their heartfelt and numerous contributions within the Manitoba Legislature through a Private Members Statement from the Honourable Doyle Piwniuk, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and MLA for Turtle Mountain.
Prairie Mountain Health sincerely thanks and appreciates the enormous efforts and dedication Hope Floats has shown over 20 years and wishes all members the best in future endeavours.
Making a difference for nearly 35 years: The Dauphin Hospital Foundation
Making a difference for nearly 35 years: The Dauphin Hospital Foundation
The Dauphin Hospital Foundation has kept an eye on its past and is looking ahead to its future as the volunteer group embarks on 35 years of giving back to the community and area through the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC), Personal Care Home and Community Health Building. The Foundation was established in September 1988 when a dedicated group came together to ensure healthcare support and services could be maintained and enhanced whenever possible. Board Chair Greg Thompson says the Foundation, through generous contributions, donations and bequests of all kinds, continues to make a big difference.
“We’ve been able to contribute in such a variety of ways, and for such a long time now, it really is something to stand back and acknowledge in a very appreciative sense. We are trying to capture and recognize some of this history on our website. Plus, going forward, we hope to establish even better ways of providing information about the Foundation’s work and make it easier for people to contribute”, Thompson stated.
Foundation Public Relations Director Blaine Kraushaar says a vision and mission workshop is being planned for later this spring to take a good look at the Foundation’s goals, objectives and opportunities for improvement.
Dauphin Hospital Foundation president Greg Thompson, left, and Public Relations director Blaine Kraushaar with a bench donated in memory of Dr. Allan Lysack, whose medical career spanned over five decades.
“We review policies, funds, financial information and equipment and staffing support requests at meetings throughout the year, including our annual meeting in November. But we are overdue for a good think-tank, planning-type session since, obviously, lots has changed since the Foundation was formed, and it will put us on solid footing as we look ahead to the future,” Kraushaar added.
Thompson adds, some of the work is already underway with plans to further promote scholarships and specific funding availabilities through estate funds like the Delha Cort fund.
“The educational endowment fund was established in the 1990s in a bequest from long-time Dauphin resident Delha Cort. She was very supportive of finding ways to assist in staff education, and over the years, we have provided several levels of support for staff that have inquired and are eligible. We think there is room for even more opportunity there, and we all know how current recruitment and retention of health care professionals are front and centre.”
Another estate fund —the Martha McDonald Fund— was established in the late 80s through the Canadian Cancer Society and recently came under the Foundation’s umbrella. The endowment focuses on enhancements for Dauphin area cancer services and the DRHC chemotherapy unit.
The Foundation has also established a way to contribute online through Canada Helps, located on its website, and recently defined a process that allows donations of shares back to the Foundation.
“We’ve had a couple of recent donations of shares from individuals that we have processed through ScotiaMcLeod financial. We want to get the word out on opportunities like that and other estate and legacy information. These are all significant ways to leave lasting legacies through the Foundation as we look forward to the next 35 years!” Thompson said.
Although only a couple of estate funds and endowments were mentioned here, the Foundation sincerely thanks all who have contributed in the past. Anyone interested in making a contribution can talk to their lawyer or investment advisor or contact the Foundation directly, through the hospital, at 204-638-3010 or online at www.dghf.ca.
Representatives on the Foundation Board also include Malcolm Strang, Gail Hrehirchuk, Kim Safronetz, Laurie Vandendool, Ron Ryz, Lynn Smith, Dr. Trina Mathison and support staff, which include Curt Gullett, Michelle Jubenvill and Nicole Borgstrom.
Russell Palliative Care Committee donates for bed purchase
Pictured clockwise from l-r are Louise Trinder Ethel Lungal, Lynette Snow, Russell Care Team Manager Abbey Vorlicek and Darlene Witty.(With picture/files from Russell Banner).
The Russell and Area Palliative Care Committee recently contributed towards the purchase of a special medical bed for the Russell Health Centre. The bed has an alternating pressure mattress, which was developed for the comfort of patients to help prevent bed-sores and skin break down. It’s also longer than others to help accommodate taller people. It is through very generous contributions, donated through the Palliative Care program, that the Committee is able to assist with much-needed purchases like these.
The Russell and Area Palliative Care Committee and Prairie Mountain Health thanks everyone for their heartfelt contributions that continue to benefit the Russell Health Centre.
Hospital Foundation funds specialized equipment purchase
Pictured L-R: Sheila Sarkonak, Dawn Willemse and Terry Bloomer.
Operating Room patients at Dauphin Regional Health Centre will benefit from a recent contribution through the Dauphin Hospital Foundation. The Foundation provided over $59,000 to purchase a specialized operating room table for the surgical suite. With the new equipment are, from left, Sheila Sarkonak, Dawn Willemse and Terry Bloomer.
The STERIS surgical table has some special features which allow it to be placed in multi-positions along with X-ray access and multi-function power controls.
Dauphin Regional Health Centre and Prairie Mountain Health thank the Dauphin Hospital Foundation for contributing towards the purchase of this beneficial improvement in patient care.
Twin Valley Coop donates $10,000
Twin Valley Co-op Board President: Mark Morton and General Manager: Dwayne Moncur, Expanding Community Cancer Care Committee: Andrea Glasman and Pam Demchynski
Twin Valley Co-op held their Annual General Meeting recently in Rossburn. The Expanding Community Cancer Care project (Russell) and the area support Committee was awarded a $10,000 donation through Twin Valley’s “You’re At Home Here” Community Fund Spring 2023 intake. Pictured are Twin Valley Co-op Board President: Mark Morton and General Manager: Dwayne Moncur, Expanding Community Cancer Care Committee: Andrea Glasman and Pam Demchynski. Prairie Mountain Health sincerely thanks the Twin Valley Co-op and all area residents and organizations for their contributions to the project. For more information about the “You’re At Home Here” Community Fund please visit www.twinvalleyco-op.crs.
Fit Fights Cancer
Pictured L to R: Kathy Ward from Western Manitoba Cancer Centre accepts the donation from Courtney Calvert of Fit Performance Centre.
Cancer has affected many of us at Fit Performance Centre. With world cancer day held on February 4th we decided it would be a great opportunity to help raise awareness and support those fighting by selling “Fit Fights Cancer” tshirts for the month of February. Thanks to those who participated and donated, we raised $350 to be put towards patient support funds at the Western Manitoba Cancer Centre.
Did you know? Eating Disorders have the highest overall mortality rate of any mental illness in Canada. While eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, they are also treatable. Unfortunately, research indicates that the majority of people with eating disorders don’t seek treatment, or when they do there are lengthy delays in receiving treatment. Many factors influence the development of an eating disorder including biological factors like genetics, psychological factors like mental health, and social factors like cultural attitudes around food and appearance. Those that struggle with their identity and self-image, dieting and weight loss, body dissatisfaction, experience weight stigma, as well as those who have experienced trauma are at risk. Eating disorders don’t discriminate, they affect people from all ages, genders, racial and ethnic identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and body sizes. Contrary to the public and even medical assumptions, eating disorders do not have a certain look to them. People living in large bodies can be affected by anorexia nervosa, just like people living in smaller bodies can be affected by binge eating disorder.
Here are some ways to counteract the negative social messages around food and bodies:
Help others (and yourself) develop self-esteem based on qualities other than physical appearance: Comment on and affirm characteristics that are not related to the body, but rather skills, talents, personality traits, passions, achievements, etc.
Get rid of your diet and your scale: Learn to understand your body and listen to its cues. Your weight is not a measurement of your health or self-worth. Learn about the Health at Every Size® philosophy.
Avoid labeling food as good or bad: Labeling food as good or bad ties morality to food. Food is morally neutral, as is body size. When food is tied to morality it can lead to feelings of guilt and shame around food leading to disordered eating like restricting, bingeing, and hiding eating behaviours.
Stand up against size or body-based bullying: Do not encourage or laugh at jokes that make fun of anyone’s body or size (including your own). A person’s worth and morality are not related to how they look. Celebrate body diversity.
Criticize the culture that promotes unhealthy body image, not yourself: Look at how encouraging people to dislike their bodies helps to sell products. Encourage people to question, evaluate and respond to the messages that promote unhealthy body image and low self-esteem.
Do you spend most of your day thinking about food and your body?
Do you avoid meals, restrict certain foods, binge eat, or purge after eating?
Do you feel guilty or out of control when eating?
Do you think that life will only be good if an ideal weight is achieved?
If you answer yes to any combination of these thoughts and behaviors, you may have an eating disorder. There are programs in Manitoba which can help you wherever you are on the journey to recovery.
It’s World Cancer day on February 4th. This event aims to save millions of preventable deaths yearly by raising awareness about the disease. This year the World Cancer Day’s agenda is to ‘Close the Care Gap’ and promote equitable care for everyone. The Prairie Mountain Health Navigation Services Team is here to support patients and health care providers, from the time of clinical suspicion of cancer and through the diagnostic period to treatments. We help anyone recently diagnosed with cancer, to understand their diagnosis, care plan, and assist through the cancer journey with resources and other helpful supports. Please help us ‘Close the Care Gap’, by connecting with us in Navigation Services.
Prairie Mountain Health Navigation Services Team Front row: Tanis – Navigation Clerk, Katy – Nurse Navigator, Michelle – Registered Dietitian Second row: Audrey – Nurse Navigator, Jannelle – Oncology Social Worker Third row: Joyce – Community Engagement Liaison, Kelsey – Nurse Navigator Back: Angela – Oncology Social Worker
“No person with cancer should have to spend more time fighting their way through the cancer care system than fighting their disease”.
H. Freeman, MD
Community Engagement Liaison, Joyce Gibson
Community Engagement Liaison
In the Prairie Mountain Health Region (PMH), there are several Community Cancer programs (CCPS) offering cancer treatments and services. One of the services offered is that of the Community Engagement Liaison. Joyce Gibson fills this role within the PMH region. Joyce focuses on serving the Under-Served Population Program (UPP), First Nations, Metis, Inuit, Seniors, LGBTQ, Immigration Services and low-income residents. The Community Engagement Liaison works with communities providing support and information regarding cancer prevention and the importance of early detection and cancer screening.
These services are provided free of charge. You can contact Joyce about attending your Health Fair, Clinic, Community Event etc.
For more information, please contact Joyce Gibson at 204-638-2198 or [email protected].
This Donation Page is populated by submissions from our staff, the public, local Auxiliaries and Foundations. If a donation has been made to your local facility please send a photo and a brief write up to the Communications Department. We would like the opportunity to share it with the rest of our staff and the public. Please email your submissions to [email protected].
HERO Club Receives Donation
HERO Club Donation
The Dauphin HERO Club received a boost from Fusion Credit Union to the tune of $1,000 through Fusion’s ‘Full Circle Fund’. The fund assists communities served by the Credit Union and the contribution will go towards construction of a new shed for the HERO Club’s well-recognized Hot Dog Cart. From front (l-r) are: Francis Jackson, Lori Bogoslowski, HERO Club Activity Instructor, Kelly Marceniuk and Dauphin Fusion Credit Union representatives Amber Fedirchuk and Kelli Zeiler. From back (l-r), and representing Prairie Mountain Health, are Anish Arapurathu Rajasekharan Pillai, Mental Health Proctor and Shantelle Rank, Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) provides coordination and other assistance to the HERO Club through its mental health program. Dauphin is one of four HERO Club sites within the health region. Roblin, Russell and Swan River are the others.
U18 AAA Parkland Rangers donates to cancer units within PMH
Members of the U18 AAA Parkland Rangers were on hand in three local communities January 12 to present proceeds from their ‘Hockey Fights Cancer Night’, which was held back on Oct. 25, 2022 when the team played host to the U18 Brandon Wheat Kings. The annual recognition night raised a total of $3,600 dollars, with a split of $1,200 each presented to three Community Cancer Programs within the Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) region. Chemotherapy Units in Dauphin, Russell and Swan River were grateful to receive the contributions, which were primarily raised through game night donations, door prizes and a raffle draw.
Prairie Mountain Health and CancerCare Manitoba sincerely appreciate the generous donations. (With pictures and files from Russell Banner and Swan Valley Star and Times.)
DAUPHIN Pictured from l-r) Chase Glover, Linden Smigelsky, Sam Swanton, Shelley Tokarchuk, DRHC Cancer Care Community Program, Madden Murray, Terrie Strong, DRHC CCCP, Kyler Swanton, Ryan Gower and Skyler Carriere.
SWAN RIVER Pictured (l-r) Tavyn Boychuk, Jackson Badwoski and PMH Registered Nurses Kristie Poole and Kelly Burick, along with Bo Eisner and Andrew Pidskalny.
RUSSELL Pictured from (l-r) Lisa Derkach, Community Cancer Program nurse, Hayden Seib, Dru Mushumanski, Dr. Wickus Pieterse and Abbey Vorlicek, Care Team Manager for Russell Health Centre.
Donation to Russell Health Centre
Darryl Fuz General Manager of the Paterson Grain Terminal in Binscarth presented a cheque for 10,000.00 to Care Team Manager Abbey Vorelick. The donation is from The Paterson Family Foundation. The funds are to be utilized for the 2023 year towards emergency care and services provided by the Russell Health Centre. Darryl stated that they chose to donate to the Russell Health Centre because of all the great work that is done. This is the fourth year in a row that Paterson Family Foundation has donated $10,000.00. This donation will be used to purchase a Glide Scope, the donation for the 2022 year from Paterson Family Foundation was used to purchase new treatment chairs.
All donations made to the Russell Health Centre are used to enhance the services, care and comfort of the patients and clients that access the Health Centre.
BRHC Auxiliary exceeds $6 million milestone, commits to half million in 2023
Maternity Ward staff by a maternity birthing bed funded by the BRHC Auxiliary
The Brandon Regional Health Care (BRHC) Auxiliary continues its generous and giving ways by reaching and exceeding the $6-million milestone in contributions.
The Auxiliary contributed to the purchases of several pieces of hospital equipment totaling nearly $284,000 for BRHC in 2022, which include:
Colonoscopes and Gastroscopes (totaling $160,000).
Warming units for surgical suites (totaling $43,500) – used to warm up fluids and blankets.
Holter monitors (totaling $19, 200) – a small wearable device that records the heart’s rhythm. It is used to detect or determine the risk of irregular heartbeats.
The Auxiliary is committing to purchase an additional $528,000 for BRHC in the coming year, including funding for three bariatric beds (wider beds for comfort) at the cost of $98,000 and a vein finder (used to help identify veins in patients where they are difficult to visualize/find) totaling just over $27,000. BRHC Auxiliary raises funds from sales at the BRHC Gift Shop and Nearly New Shop located at 601 9th Street in Brandon. The group has been very fortunate to also receive a few generous estate funds within the last few years.
Marlene Brichon and Linda Noto – Auxiliary Members standing by a recently purchased bariatric bed
In 2017, the BRHC Auxiliary celebrated 125 years of dedication and commitment to health care in the Westman area. In 2016, the organization noted the milestone of $ 4 million in equipment purchases (since 1980).
Linda Noto Auxiliary member with a staff person from the Cardiology Department and the Holter Monitors
Shannon Nickle, Neepawa Health Centre and Andy Ilagan, Theresa’s husband
Elite Intellicare Staffing
Neepawa Health Centre and Prairie Mountain Health are grateful for the generous donation of $10,000 from Elite Intellicare Staffing. The donation was given in memory of Theresa Ilagan who founded the company. She was a dedicated nurse and through her work she enjoyed coming to the Neepawa Health Centre and other health care facilities throughout Prairie Mountain Health. Theresa’s husband Andy said his wife was a woman of physical and inner beauty, with a heart filled with love and kindness for others. A woman who took great delight in helping people.
PMH along with the Neepawa Health Centre would once again like to thank Elite for the generous donation in her memory.
Lisa Derkach, Russell Cancer Care Unit Nurse accepts donation from local resident Greg Setter
Russell Cancer Care Unit Donation
Fundraising efforts continue for the Cancer Care Unit expansion at Russell Health Centre. Local resident Greg Setter was a successful applicant for a community grant, totaling $2,500 through a program sponsored by Bayer Crop Science Canada.
The Canada’s Farmers Grows Communities program, in association with Manitoba Agriculture in the Classroom, realizes the value of growing local communities. Accepting the cheque for the Expanding Community Cancer Program is Lisa Derkach, Russell Cancer Care Unit Nurse. Fundraising is continuing to pay for Unit furnishings and a new parking lot for the Centre. PMH sincerely thanks Mr. Setter and all who have contributed to the expansion project.
Support the BRH Centre Foundation This Holiday Season
Support the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation This Holiday Season
It is a busy time of year for the Brandon Regional Health Centre (BRHC) Foundation. Their 29th Annual “Tree of Lights” fundraiser will run through December and is a wonderful and heartfelt way to remember and memorialize a loved one or to honour someone special.
With your donation, a personalized tree tag will be hung on the “Tribute Trees” in the BRHC’s atrium. Your tribute gift will also help light up the evergreens in the traffic loop at BRHC. This year there are two gift options under the tree that you can choose from to put your donation towards:
Gift #1 – Family room furniture for the Maternity Unit ($10,000)
Gift #2 – Blood pressure machines for 400 Medicine X3 ($16,800)
With a minimum donation of $15, you will receive a tax receipt.
In addition to the Tree of Lights, the “Holiday Around the World” WestJet raffle also takes place in December! Win a trip for 2 people to any scheduled WestJet destination. The draw takes place on Friday, December 16, at 2 pm. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to BRHC’s Pediatric/Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Tickets are 3/$20 or 1/$10 and are still available!
For more information or to donate or purchase a ticket, please visit the BRHC Foundation website, call 204-578-4227, email: [email protected] or visit the BRHC Foundation office on the main floor of the Brandon Regional Health Centre at 150 McTavish Ave E.
