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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-07-22, Page 2presents... gfie Sead Amax ctand with special guest "Silence" Saturday, August 8, 1998 at B.M. & G. Community Centre Dancing from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Age of majority only Tickets $10.00 per person Tickets available from any Optimist member or at It's A Shear Thing - Brussels, J.L. McCutcheon Motors - Brussels & George of Brussels THE BRUSSELS OPTIMIST CLUB Serving the Brussels Community for 25 Years ©RadioShack. now offers both ExpressVu and Star Choice Satellite Systems at excellent prices. Stop in and see them working in our store You Deserve 200 Channels at your fingertips (coming this fall) Ask about our programming specials Trade-ins on American dishes Financing available on approved credit OLDFIELD ('_.--)RschoShack PRO HARDWARE & RADIO SHACK Brussels (519) 887-6851 Fax 887-9426 PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 1998. London hospital proposal angers local woman By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff To say Waneta Leishman is fum- ing would be an understatement. It was a letter that outraged the RRS, Brussels woman. At issue is the salary for a pediatric oncologist at Children's Hospital of Western Ontario. The doctor is the one responsible for the care of Waneta and Allan Leishman's daughter, Aimee, when she was diagnosed with cancer 10 years ago as an infant. "The bottom line is this could be at the cost of kids' lives," said Leishman. The letter to the Leishmans came from London-based ChildCan, which offers programs to families of children being treated for cancer at the hospital. For example, they pay the cost of parking, $7.50 per day, offer counselling for families and the schools of the patients and do art therapy with the children. Presently there are two pediatric oncologists on staff at the hospital. Provincial standards state that each doctor have 85 patients. Currently the hospital has funding for one pediatric oncologist per 251 child cancer patients. To keep one of the doctors on staff, earlier this month, the hospi- tal asked ChildCan, an organization of parents of sufferers and sur- vivors of childhood cancer, to pay Dr. Caimey's salary. The reason they gave is that Dr. Caimey does no research. "But she was overworked 10 years ago," said Leishman. "Dr. Cairney could either do research or compromise the quality of care she gives to her patients." Two doctors covering an area from Windsor to Kitchener and Owen Sound to Lake Erie as well as northwestern Ontario are already not enough. "To expect Dr. Cairney to spend time on research is basi- cally telling parents to take their sick babies home and let them die." Ruth Bartley, executive director of ChildCan admits that the situa- tion is "pretty wild". However, though the Ministry of Health gave $3.2 million to Toronto's Sick Chil- dren's Hospital, and none to the other four centres, she is not just pointing a finger at them. "Several things have led to ChildCan's reac- tion." The hospital, she said, has under- funded the service for years. As a result the doctors are overworked and cannot find time for research. However the hospital CEO Tony Dagnone said in a London Free Press report that they are just trying to make judgement calls with avail- able dollars. "We know we should be providing more dollars, but we don't have those dollars today," he stated. Asking ChildCan to cover the cost of Dr. Caimey's salary at the possible expense of existing pro- grams, is essentially asking the par- ents to pay, said Bartley. "Kids on dialysis don't pay for their doctor, children with heart problems don't pay. Why are cancer babies being penalized?" Funds from the the Children's Hospital Telethon primarily go to research, she said. "They use our kids to raise sympathy. They show Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada -800-268-75821 their pictures on television, but those children don't see any benefit from the money. Instead it will help patients 10 years down the road," said Bartley. "One of our families donated $10,000. Imagine finding out four days later your doctor's salary isn't covered anymore. That's upset- ting," said Bartley. Leishman certainly thinks so. "If it weren't for Dr. Cairney, Aimee wouldn't be with us. There's not a parent anywhere who can be cer- tain they won't need this kind of help. I'm frightened of what will happen if ChildCan can't at some point continue this." Bartley is hoping that financial help from corporations or individu- al sponsors will come forward. "We have promised to fund Dr. Caimey's salary, but it is at great risk to our financial stability, threatening all our programs. Our kids deserve better than this." Bartley noted that the number of children diagnosed with cancer rises by 16 per cent every 10 years. In that time the hospital serving children in Southwestern Ontario has maintained the same number of doctors. Anyone interested in more infor- mation can contact Bartley at 519- 473-8914. Aesthetics & Electrolysis by Bonnie will be closed for holidays July 26 to August 3 NOTICE It's a Shear Thing will be CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS July 27 - August 3 Rhonda McArter 887-9025 Brussels 519-887-6294 This week's special Homemade Summer Sausage '4.99 lb. Italian Style Pepperoni (ideal for pizza) '4.50 lb. We also carry a wide selection of preserves Remember that Wednesdays are Senior's Day 10% off Ready to sit The Ark recently conducted a babysitting course. Graduates are, back row, from left: Richard Goetz, Troy Backhaus, Kate Aitchison. Middle: Amy Bridge, Ashley Keffer, Rachael Speers, Elyse Wilkinson. Front: Candice Ross, Corey Passmore, Michelle Smith. *14911M 111F1