Stroke forum
A public meeting for stroke survivors, their loved ones and caregivers is being organized to provide feedback for the health authority in its redesign of stroke care services and programs.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and the Heart & Stroke Foundation are seeking Powell River residents’ stories about their experiences during and after a stroke event.
“As part of a regional stroke redesign process, we are interested in hearing about what people think really made a difference – and what still needs improvement,” said VCH spokesperson Viola Kaminski in a statement.
Kaminski added that the health authority is particularly interested in hearing from people living outside urban centres via focus groups or an online survey.
Powell River’s public focus group is planned from 10 am to noon on Tuesday, August 26 at the Powell River General Hospital (5000 Joyce Avenue). Spaces are limited, so organizers are asking that anyone interested in attending please pre-register for the event by emailing [email protected] or by phone at 604.714.3779.
Stroke survivors and their supporters can find the anonymous online survey at http://bit.ly/VmT7Kv.
Cancer stroll
Organizers of a fundraising event for Powell River General Hospital’s oncology unit are hoping for a grand slam this weekend.
Over $6,000 has already been raised for the Sunset Stroll for Cancer and organizer Bill Hopkins said that Parkland Slo-pitch softball team will add to that total after this weekend. Each year the team raises money for cancer-related charities through the Richard Stroomer Memorial Slo-pitch Tournament which celebrates the memory their teammate who died from the disease.
Laura Passek donated $4,000 which was raised from selling daffodils this spring for cancer awareness, Hopkins said, adding Kings mascot, Rocco, presented a cheque for $1,150 he raised during his walk around town last June.
Participants strolled around Timberlane track during one of Powell River’s picture perfect sunsets on Saturday, August 9. Over $1,000 was raised from the 30 silent auction items that were up for bidding and $120 was raised from the sale of hot dogs and water.
Hopkins estimates that over the course of the evening, approximately 100 people came down to the walk the track. “This is something to build on,” he said.
New chairs for the oncology waiting room and a coffee maker, have already been purchased.
When Hopkins underwent radiation therapy a decade ago he went to Victoria, but had his chemotherapy in Powell River. He said it is nice to see these funds helping to make local residents’ experience fighting cancer a little more comfortable.
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