Dive For A Cause 2010 - 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 2010.
The nominations for 2010 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
Tobermory Hyperbaric Unit
For the Dive for a Cause 2010, I would like like to nominate the Tobermory Hyperbaric Unit. Located in the vicinity of Tobermory, ON a favorite destination for divers, this facility is always on standby in case of a dive emergency. The compression chamber recieved it last maintenance re-fit way back in 1987. Funds raised will be used towards much needed maintenance for the chamber and the facility.
Sincerely,
Mary Maguire
ACUC Instructor