HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-09-03, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2003.
Letter to the editor
It’s Ovarian Cancer Month
THE EDITOR,
September is Ovarian Cancer
Month and the National Ovarian
Cancer Association (NOCA) is
working hard to raise awareness
about the disease that is the fifth
leading cancer cause of death for
women in Canada.
With no single early detection test
available for ovarian cancer, and
contusing symptoms, too frequently
the disease is diagnosed in its later
stages, often with poor outcomes.
NOCA’s goal is to raise awareness
about the signs and symptoms and to
be the source on ovarian cancer in
Canada. Increasing knowledge is the
best weapon we have to fight this
horrible disease.
Over 2.600 women are diagnosed
with ovarian cancer ever year - that
is one in 70 women in Canada. Over
1.500 Canadian women die each
year of this disease because as the
symptoms are often vague, because
late diagnosis makes a cure less
likely.
However if ovarian cancer is
found early and treated, the survival
rate is as high as 90 per cent.
NOCA supports research into
prevention, finding an early
detection test, improved treatment
and is dedicated to overcoming
ovarian cancer and in raising
awareness about the seriousness of
this women's disease.
Ovarian cancer symptoms may
include: change in bowel habits,
weight gain or loss, loss of appetite,
nausea, feelings of bloatedness,
frequent urination, or backache.
Individuals at risk include those who
have a family history of breast,
ovarian cancer or colon cancer and
women who have experienced
infertility.
Ovarian cancer is most common in
women over 50 years of age. If you
2nd Huron
erow
tested
for WNv
A crow from the Seaforth area is
undergoing further tests after initial
testing has shown signs of West
Nile virus. Further tests by the
federal laboratory in Winnipeg are
needed to confirm the findings. If
confirmed this will the second
positive bird in Huron County,
This year 36 of 37 Ontario health
units have reported positive crows
and 11 health units have reported
positive pools of mosquitoes
including Middlesex-London,
Oxford and Windsor in south
western Ontario. The virus has
been confirmed in one Renfrew
County resident and confirmation
of human cases is pending in
Ottawa. Toronto and York Region.
The next two to three weeks are
the high risk time for contracting
West Nile virus from mosquito
bites. In 2002 the majority of
human cases of West Nile virus in
Ontario were reported in late
August and September.
Ii is important that people
continue to protect themselves and
their families from mosquito bites
from now until the first frost. Adult
mosquito trapping and mosquito
larval (.lipping conducted by the
health unit and municipalities have
found the types ol mosquitoes
known <o carry the virus however
none Have tested positive to dale
have any combination of these
symptoms and they persist longer
than three weeks, contact your
family doctor.
The National Ovarian Cancer
Association is making strides to
overcome this disease by funding
research, providing support to
women with the disease and their
families, and by raising awareness
but we need your help to make a
difference.
Beyond
Limitations
Stooping to my level
I have been a full-time wheelchair
user for 14 years now. In the past
decade, our society has been
making changes - ramps are being
built, automated doors are being set
in doorways, and larger washrooms
equipped with grab-bars and
heightened toilets are becoming an
important architectural develop
ment.
These changes are coming from
growing attitudes of thoughtful
people whose brainstorming is
making our world what it was
intended to be: a vast society where
we are all able to learn and teach.
Looking back, going into a
wheelchair was a very difficult
transition to make; however, it was
very important for me to maintain
my independence, and ultimately,
my wheelchair is my mode of
transportation. Even though 1 have
been in some uncomfortable
situations involving some members
of our public, I try to understand that
circumstances are awkward because
having to use a wheelchair contrasts
with the ability to walk. We all
encounter a fear of the different - I
have had. and still am dealing with
this myself!
I also have met many people
whose kindness and concern follows
me everywhere. Our society is
slowly becoming wheelchair
accessible, but there is still much
work to be done. Even if you do not
use a wheelchair, it is very important
to make your voice heard, so that
structural changes can be made on a
universal level. In order to do this, it
is important to fully understand the
etiquette of meeting someone who
uses a wheelchair.
Ask Permission: Always ask the
To find out more about the disease,
NOCA programs, or to pledge your
support for this important campaign
against ovarian cancer, visit our
website at: www.ovariancanada.org
or call 1-877-413-7970 toll free in
Canada.
Yours truly,
Elisabeth Ross
Executive Director
National Ovarian Cancer
Association.
wheelchair user if he/she needs
assistance before you help. It may be
necessary for the person to give
instructions.
Be Respectful: A person’s
wheelchair is part of his or her body
space and should be treated with
respect. Don’t hang or lean on it
unless you have the person's
permission.
Speak Directly: Be careful not to
exclude the wheelchair user from
conversations. Speak directly to the
person and if the conversation lasts
more than a few minutes, sit down or
kneel to get yourself on the sane
plane as the wheelchair. This concept
means a great deal to me - it makes
me feel confident and that what I say
is interesting too!
Give Clear Directions: When
giving directions to a person in a
wheelchair, be sure to include
distance, weather conditions, and
physical obstacles which may hinder
a wheelchair user’s travel.
Act Naturally: It is okay to use
expressions like “running along”
when speaking to a person in a
wheelchair. I express things the same
way!
Children are OK: Most wheelchair
users are not offended by questions
children ask them about their
disabilities or wheelchairs. Children
have a natural curiosity that needs to
be satisfied so they do not develop
fearful or misleading attitudes.
My wheelchair provides freedom
- many users feel the same way, and
it must be realized that using a
wheelchair is in itself, not a tragedy.
Yes, structural barriers in public
places create some inconveniences,
but this is positively changing, as
well as the minds of people.
Preparations underway
Bill Andrews and Gordon Daer, both of Auburn, take a
break from fencing duties at the Thresher grounds.
Volunteers will be busy all week getting everything ready
for thousands of visitors. (Sandra Johnstone photo)
The Great Canadian
Beef Barbeque
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Box Foxton Fuels Ltd.McCall Livestock
Boyd's Elevators Ltd.McGavin Farm Equipment
Brussels Agromart Ltd.& McGavin Farm Supply
Brussels Agri-Services Ltd. - Tim Prior McKillop Mutual Insurance Co.
Brussels Livestock Merial
Cardiff BBQ Catering Ltd.Molesworth Farm Supply
Cargill Ag Horizons New Holland
Chapman's Ice Cream Norpac - Norwich Packers
Express Vaccines Ontario Farmer
Furst - McNess Rathwell National Realty
Great Lakes Nutrition Reavie Farm Equipment
Hensail District Co-Operative Schering Plough
Huron Business Development Corp.Sparling's Propane
Huron County Beef Producers Wescast industries Community
Huron Tractor Involvement Team
Wyeth
GOLD SPONSORS
Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors Inc.H- Creates - Heather Somers
Bi-Pro Marketing Huron Produce
Blyth Festival InterVet
Bruce Tile K & L Bray Farms Ltd.
CKNX Kongskilde Ltd.
David Carson Farms Metzger Veterinary Services P.C.
& Auction Services M & L Trucking - M & L Coultes
Dorothy Dilworth New Life Mills
Elanco Norcan Farm Equipment
Elma Mutual Insurance Co.North Huron Gardens
Garfield & Ruby Hughes Ont. Cattle Feeders Association
Germania Mutual Insurance Ont. Cattlemen's Association
Great Plains - Ron Pearn Pfizer
Green's Meat Market Ralston Purina
Hardi - Bob Trimbel S & S Trucking Liquid Disposal Ltd.
Harkness Equipment Salford Farm Machinery
Heather Durnin Shur-Gain
Helm Welding Snow White Mushroom Co. Ltd.
Horst Wagons Sunflower - Steve Hoskings
Horton's Dairy Suntastic Hothouse Co.
Howatt Brothers Transport Vincent Farm Equipment
Howick Mutual Insurance Co.West Wawanosh Insurance
Huron Bay Co-Operative Wil-rich - Bill Mackins
Huron County Holstein Club Zahnd Real Estate
Huron Feeding Systems Zurich Bean Festival Committee
The organizing committee, along with the Brussels Agricultural Society,
OCA, OCFA and the Huron County Beef Producers would like to thank all
consumers for supporting the cattle industry and its partners through
these stressful times. A special thank you to all related agri-businesses for
your overwhelming financial support. Thank you, also, to the many volunteers
that demonstrated rural Ontario community enthusiasm at the
Great Canadian Beef BBQ on August 20th in Brussels.