LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- October 30, 2007
To The Editor;
I would like to respond to the excellent letter from Don and Julie Fleming, which you published in your newspaper of October 23rd. As a former patient of Dr. Simons, when I felt unwell recently and thoughtI might need to have the dosage of one of my medications adjusted, I was told that Dr. Maritz was fully booked and that I should go to Emergency, which I did. More work for them.
I agree that the doctor shortage is having an impact on the working days of other hospital employees. As you know, part of my work for Vermilion Artists is to arrange art classes for our members. A hospital employee has registered for, and paid for, a workshop in November but has not been able to confirm she will actually be free to attend.
That's sad, because engaging in activities of an artistic nature, doing what you love, is very relaxing and beneficial.
I am rather clumsy around computers so I won't be sending out any e-mails but I hope my partner will.
Mary Bedford, Princeton
Dear Editor;
October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming to a close, but that does not mean that we should stop thinking about breast health.
The Canadian Cancer Society strongly encourages women year round to learn what is normal for their breasts by looking at and feeling their breast tissue. You can do this in whatever way is comfortable for you and at whatever time in convenient.
By knowing what is normal, you will be able to feel or see changes more easily. Changes should be reported to your doctor. Many women have found their own breast cancers, and being aware of what is normal for them is an important part of this.
We also want to emphasize that the most effective ways to detect breast cancer are through mammograms (every two years for women 50-69 years of age) and clinical breast exams (at least every two years if you are 40 years of age or older).
We encourage you to talk to your healthcare professional about what screening options are best for you.
Additionally, if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or any other type of cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society offers a free, confidential, one-to-one peer support program called CancerConnection.
CancerConnection matches trained volunteer cancer survivors with newly diagnosed cancer patients to offer emotional support.
For more information on CancerConnection, or any of the Canadian Cancer Society's other programs and services, please contact us at 1-888-939-3333 or visit us at www.cancer.ca.
Sincerely,
Elaine Andrews
Volunteer Regional Peer Support Chair, Canadian Cancer Society - Interior Region.
Editor:
Regarding the front page article, in the October 16th issue of your paper, that states ATVBC is inquiring of PXA for the use of the fairgrounds.
The Similkameen Valley Riders Club would like to state that we have not been approached by ATVBC regarding this issue and have no knowledge of plans.
- E. Blomme, Princeton
(Editor's Note: Following a lengthy telephone conversation with a representative of ATVBC we were able to determine that a request for information had been made by them regarding the use of the fairgrounds site - exactly as was reported in the article of question.)
