February is Heart Month.
I’ve received an update from Dr. Kim Connelly, Heart & Stroke Researcher, that he and colleagues including Dr. Duncan Stewart and Dr. Michael Kutryk have begun a clinical trial phase for real patients.
If the clinical trial is successful, it opens the possibility that damaged heart tissue can actually repair itself.
This could be life changing for thousands of Canadians.
Heart disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the structure and functions of the heart and has many root causes.
For most types, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (healthy eating, physical activity, avoiding tobacco misuse) is a key part of preventing these conditions.
More than 600,000 Canadians are living with hearts damaged from heart failure. Regenerative medicine is moving closer to a break-through clinical trial tests innovation that could heal damaged hearts.
Support groups
Acquired Brain Injury Support and Stroke Support group facilitator Megan Piket reminds residents that these two separate support groups meet at the library.
Stroke Support meet the second and fourth Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm.
If attending for the first time, Megan suggests a phone call and the possibility of meeting her briefly prior group session. She can be reached at the Northern Brain Injury Association at 250-983-4673.
She has distributed considerable information and constantly watching for anything that would be of help. Her email: megan.piket@nbia.
Calling all quilters
On behalf of Terry Kathryn Houghtaling, office manager at Pen-Y-Bryn Farm, there is a request to have 10 quilts available to their veteran participants at their additional program that runs at the farm May 28 to June 6.
For more information call 250-747-2684; penybrynfarm@gmail.com; www.penybrynfarm.ca; https://www.theforeprograms.ca
Pancake breakfast
Quesnel & District Seniors’ Centre at 461 Carson Avenue will be serving the popular pancake breakfasts on Feb. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Throughout the week, activities include Tai Chi Chih, English Handbells, Ukulele, Campfire Singers, Visually Impaired, TOPS, Cards – whist/crib, beginning ukulele, square/circle dancing, bridge, Spanish lessons, carpet bowling, scrabble, line dancing, ladies pool, canasta, and Red Hat Ladies.
Various scheduled groups, such as Bluegrass, Cariboo Mining Association, Hope Air and Vintage Car Club also meet throughout the month.
The centre is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.
As of their AGM on Jan. 25, 2018, they had a membership of 455.
Their Annual Garage Sale will be held April 14-18 - a heads up for those who are downsizing. For Seniors’ Centre information, call 250-992-3991.
O.A.P.O. news
OAPO Branch 77 Golden Centre at #100-401 Front St. invites crib players Mondays Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Lunch is also available to members on those days.
For more information, call 250-991-0090 or email golden77@gmail.com
Meals on Wheels needs volunteers
The Meals on Wheels program in Quesnel is in need of volunteer drivers.
They send out nutritious meals to seniors in the community who cannot cook for themselves any more, but they are short of the drivers needed to deliver the meals.
The route would take no more than an hour, and meals are ready for pick up at 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
If you can spare an hour of your time once a week (or even on a casual basis), please call Maeford Place, Meals on Wheels, to arrange a meeting and a ride-along to see what the program is all about.
They cannot continue this program without the generous contribution from our volunteer drivers and they are sincerely hoping they can recruit a few more.
Call Meals at Wheels at 250-992-8342.
Ruth Scoullar is a seniors advocate and a regular Observer contributor.