Dive For A Cause 2009 - Nominations

As divers we must realize that we are a part of a greater community one which needs our support and attention. Below you may read about some of these "relatively unknown" conditions which affect a felow diver, their family member or friend. I look forward to having you join us in making a difference once again in 2009.

The nominations for 2009 are:

 

Cystic Fibrosis

Our grandson Derrick always had trouble with chest & was diagnosed with asthma for many years. He spent quite a lot of his babyhood in hospital with bouts of pneumonia. When he was about eight years old he was in Peel hospital with pneumonia again when the doctor on duty asked my daughter if Derrick had ever been tested for Cistyc Fibrosis (C.F.) which he had not so far been tested for.

Derrick was tested while the family held their breaths waiting for the results. We had heard of C.F. but did not know too much about the disease. We found out that the life expectancy was about four yers but through the internet found that it was about eighteen years of age, which to us was still a shock. We received the news that Derrick had indeed tested positive with the disease and all the family was now tested for C.F. and thank God everyone tested negative. By then we were expecting another baby in the family to our son & daughter in law. Megan was born in April and was tested soon after and she also tested positive and treatment was started right away. One good thing came out of Derrick illness was the fact that Megan was tested right away and the fact that she started treatment at that time helped her a lot. As an infant she spent a few weeks in hospital and has had a two week stay in sick kids. Because of her medication & therapy she has not spent as much time in sick kids. Derrick on the other hand spends as much as four times a year in the hospital. I hope all families are tested for CF as it would break your heart to have to pound on your child back & chest to bring up the mucus off their lungs and to see them spend quite a bit of time, at least twice a day in a mask which dispenses the much needed medication into their lungs.

Megan is now almost six years old & runs & plays with no problems even though she still needs her medication twice a day & has to visit sick kids four times a year for treatment & shots. Derrick cannot play too many sports but does enjoy fishing & swimming. He cannot do any contact sports like all other boys at his age.

Because of the donations from the community to everyone with C.F and with the help of the wonderful doctors support staff the life expectancy is now up to twenty eight for males & thirty four for females. There are exceptions to the rule as we know of one lady who is fifty nine and is a mother & grandmother which in itself is a miracle as C.F sufferers are not expected to be able to become parents. With the help of community donations we hope someday to find a cure for this awful disease and give all kids a fighting chance for along and happy life which every child is entitled to.

Sincerely yours,
PAT & BILL POLAND & FAMILY

 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

 

Building Homes – Building Hope

Are you aware that 30% of families in the GTA live below the poverty line? Affordable housing has never been more urgent than now; in fact Toronto has been named ‘Canada’s Poverty Capital’ by the Toronto Star.

Simple affordable homes will be built for all people who are welcomed without discrimination. This is done in partnership with low income families, volunteers and donors. With our help, we can permanently break the cycle of poverty.

It’s sad to know that over 1 million Canadians have to choose ‘Rent or Electricity – or ‘Rent or Food’, because they cannot afford both.

Habitat for Humanity is proud to be ‘building green’ and they receive no government assistance. 100% of funds donated go toward building homes with new materials for families:

  • who currently live in substandard housing
  • who will volunteer 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’
  • who will repay a zero down-payment, interest free mortgage over 25 years

Our Dive for a Cause can help!

  • A door $50.00
  • A sink $200.00
  • A porch $500
  • A bedroom $1,000

LET’S BUILD HOPE!

--Elois Davis

Judy Dan Wound Care Centre

 

For the Dive for a Cause 2009, I would like like to nominate the Judy Dan Wound Care Centre. The Centre provides Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for patients with chronic Diabetic non-healing wounds. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) can expedite the healing of certain types of chronic, non-healing wounds. It also reduces patient suffering, disability and prevents unnecessary hospitalizations and amputations.The Judy Dan Wound Care Centre also is conducting a Level One, prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled research study. Knowledge gained in the role of oxygen in healing wounds, and its effect on stem cells and biochemical factors, could have far reaching implications beyond diabetic wound care.

The following summary is taken directly from the Ontario Wound Care website which provides the funding for The Judy Dan centre. If you would like to read this in entirety, please go to http://www.ontariowoundcare.com/index.html

In Canada, laws prohibit patients from paying for "essential medical treatment" themselves, leaving most diabetic patients no choice other than to undergo amputation when standard wound care fails. Most patients with diabetic wounds have been disabled for considerable time and do not have the health or financial resources to obtain this treatment in other countries. Ontario Wound Care Inc. needs donations to help cover the treatment costs and conduct ongoing research. They do not charge the patients for treatment.

CHRONIC-DIABETIC WOUNDS – The Cause: Diabetes Mellitus damages the nerves in the feet resulting in a loss of sensation. Minor skin abrasions and cuts on the feet can occur without pain or without the patient’s awareness. Diabetes also damages and blocks blood vessels, particularly small vessels in the feet, resulting in poor circulation and reduced oxygen supply. Without adequate blood supply and oxygenation, the cells that repair wounds and fight infection cannot function. Minor abrasions and cuts can become chronic, infected wounds. Once infection reaches bone, amputation of the limb often results.

Diabetes Mellitus – The Human Cost

  • Approximately 2 million Canadians have Diabetes Mellitus (almost 7% of the general population).
  • 10 to 15% of patients with Diabetes Mellitus will develop leg or foot ulcers in their lifetime as a consequence of their disease. In Toronto, this translates to approximately 10,000 people.
  • 10% of diabetics suffering from chronic wounds will require amputation, approximately 1,000 leg amputations per year.
  • Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic, lower extremity amputations in Canada.
  • Of those who have an amputation, there is a 50% chance of requiring amputation of the other leg within 5 years.

Frequently, patients who lose a limb become permanently wheelchair bound or bedridden. Many require considerable social services and long, costly hospitalizations. Less than half of senior amputees ever become fully rehabilitated.

I suggest that this charity is the perfect marriage of for the diving and non-diving community. I hope you will consider The Judy Dan Centre for 2009's dive.

Sincerely,

Camilla Sherriff
ACUC Instructor 1237EA
EUC Entertainment Chair

Humane Society

 

The Humane Society of Canada works to protect dogs, cats, horses, birds, livestock, lab animals, wildlife and the environment. They carry out hands on programs to help animals and nature, mount rescue operations, expose cruelty through hard hitting undercover investigations, work to pass laws to protect animals, funds non-invasive scientific research, support animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centres and spread the word about how to help animals and nature through humane education.

A registered charity, The Humane Society of Canada depends entirely on donations to support our programs to help animals and the environment. All donations are gratefully acknowledged with a receipt for income tax purposes. When it comes to fighting cruelty, we don’t give up. Ever.