Philippine Asian News Today Vol 19 No 20 | Page 28

28 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY October 16 - 31 , 2017

Save-On-Foods celebrates grand opening of Clinic at BC Children ’ s Hospital

The company has pledged a $ 15 million donation , funding the first in-hospital clinic of its kind in Canada
Vancouver , B . C . Save- On-Foods is celebrating the grand opening of BC Children ’ s Hospital ’ s new Family Immunization Clinic , which the grocery company funded through a $ 15 million donation .
The clinic is the first in the country to be located in a hospital , and will provide patients and their families with all publicly-funded immunizations . It is intended to increase immunization rates among children , especially those with complex medical conditions . It will also serve as a hub for consultation services for physicians across B . C . and support new research .
In addition to the immunization project , this $ 15-million donation will fund urgently-needed equipment for the hospital .
“ The Save-On-Foods family has already donated over $ 30 million to fund innovative programs that profoundly affect the health and well-being of BC Children ,” said BC Children ’ s Hospital Foundation president and CEO Teri Nicholas . “ As Lead Benefactor of the Immunization Project and a funder of urgent equipment , this transformational $ 15 million gift brings their alltime giving to $ 45 million – making Save-On-Foods our biggest donor of all time .”
“ There is nothing more important to Save-On- Foods than the health of our communities , families and kids ,” said Save-On-Foods president Darrell Jones . “ That ’ s why , with the help of our customers , team members and supplier partners , we are thrilled to support the talented and innovative folks at BC Children ’ s Hospital as they provide this important service to our neighbours and some of our province ’ s most vulnerable young patients .” ( mediarelations @ saveonfoods . com )
From left : Doctors David Scheifele and Manish Sadarangani are joined by Save- On-Foods president Darrell Jones at the grand opening of the new in-hospital immunization clinic at BC Children ’ s Hospital , which Save-On-Foods funded with a $ 15-million donation .

Vancouver averages seven overdose deaths each week Bringing the estimated number of deaths this year to 275

Vancouver Police Department ( VPD ) reported a suspected three overdose deaths for the week of October 9 . Despite this being less than half the weekly average , it brings the total number of deaths as a result of the overdose crisis to an estimated 275 for this year .
Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services ( VFRS ), reported 105 overdose response calls for the same period , up 27 per cent from the previous week .
While the City is encouraged to see a strong investment from the provincial government to make this public health emergency a top priority , the City will continue to collaborate with senior levels of government on this crisis . The City is also committed to supporting those on the front lines including non-profits and community members working to move the city from crisis to a healthy city for all .
Earlier this year , City Council approved more than $ 600,000 in grants to nonprofits working through peers
and community members to play a leadership role in combating the overdose crisis facing the city .
Megaphone Magazine , one of the grant recipients , partnered with the Overdose Prevention Society and put the funds to good use with their “ How to Save a Life : Frontline Stories ” workshop .
The series attempts to combat the stigma towards addictions and people who use illicit drugs across the City by amplifying the voices of people who use drugs and
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peer overdose responders .
“ Our team of storytellers and overdose responders are sharing perspective and training with people across the city ,” says Jessica Hannon , Megaphone ’ s executive director . “ At each event , they offer overdose prevention training , supplies , and perspective to help ensure communities respond to addiction and overdose in their community with skill and compassion .”
The first two events at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House < https :// globalnews . ca / news / 3800259 / local-street-paper-hostsvancouver-forums-on-overdose-crisis /> and Gordon Neighbourhood House were well attended with four more planned throughout Vancouver until November 13 . The next event is on Tuesday , October 24 at the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House .
For information about the remaining events , visit their Facebook page < https :// w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / events / 1961634367447767 /
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_ id _ source % 22 % 3A1388852 41647 % 2C % 22action _ histor y % 22 % 3A % 5b % 7B % 22surfac e % 22 % 3A % 22page % 22 % 2C % 22mechanism % 22 % 3A % 22 main _ list % 22 % 2C % 22extra _ data % 22 % 3A % 22 % 7B % 5C % 22page _ id % 5C % 22 % 3A1 38885241647 % 2C % 5C % 22 tour _ id % 5C % 22 % 3Anull % 7 D % 22 % 7D % 5d % 2C % 22has _ source % 22 % 3Atrue % 7D > and register here < https :// w w w . e v e n t b r i t e . c a / e / how-to -save-a-life-front- line-stories-registration- 38204152649 # tickets >.
Toxicology reports on the most recent deaths are not yet complete , and final overdose death numbers need to be confirmed by the BC Coroners Service .
Read the BC Coroners Services ’ report on Illicit Drug Overdose Deaths in BC , January 1 , 2007 to August 2017 here < http :// www2 . gov . bc . ca / assets / gov / public-safety-andemergency-services / deathinvestigation / statistical / illicitdrug . pdf >.