Media Releases

Vancouver, May 28, 2008 — Physicians, patients and representatives from the Province and Provincial Health Services Authority gathered at a news conference today to recognize the B.C. Acute Heart Failure Program’s unprecedented number of ventricular assist devices (VADs, also commonly known as mechanical hearts) implanted this year – more than any other program of its kind in Canada.

Vancouver, April 29, 2008 — Imagine being in pain but unable to express it? This is the unfortunate reality for many seniors suffering from dementia and multiple co-morbid conditions that involve pain. The good news is that it’s the focus of a research effort to be funded by proceeds from the May 10 BMO Pacific Spirit Run.

Vancouver, April 23, 2008 — Two competing Vancouver athletic footwear businesses have united in the battle against dementia.
The owners of athletic footwear outlets, Ladysport and Forerunners, have personally experienced the toll of dementia in their own families and, as a result, are sponsors of the BMO Pacific Spirit Run which takes place Saturday, May 10 at Pacific Spirit Park at UBC.

Vancouver, April 18, 2008 — Providence Health Care's John Ruedy Immunodeficiency Clinic was recognized at the 7th Annual AccolAIDS Awards, presented April 13, 2008 by the British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society's (BCPWA). Presented at the AccolAIDS fundraising gala, the AccolAIDS Awards honour the extraordinary achievements and dedication of organizations, businesses, groups and individuals responding to the AIDS epidemic in British Columbia, and the thousands of people living in B.C. who are affected.

Vancouver, April 10, 2008 — One in four Canadians suffer from metabolic syndrome, a combination of risk factors including excess abdominal fat that can increase their risk of serious heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. The Metabolic Syndrome Program located within Vancouver’s St Paul’s Hospital, has established a positive, innovative approach that’s helping British Columbians reduce their risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. The clinic was established with the support of a $1.6 million donation from pharmaceutical partner AstraZeneca Canada.

Vancouver, April 3, 2008 — Everyday violence experienced by women engaged in street-based sex work results in a heightened risk of HIV transmission, finds a new study authored by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE).
The qualitative study published in Social Science and Medicine included responses from 46 participants, from focus groups conducted between December 2005 and March 2006. The average age of the respondents was 34 years and 57 per cent identified themselves as being of Aboriginal ancestry.

Vancouver, April 3, 2008 — On Saturday, April 5, Providence Health Care (PHC) is bringing much-needed food, T-shirts and sweatshirts, socks and toiletries to over 500 residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Staff, physicians and volunteers from across PHC will gather at Oppenheimer Park to distribute the provisions. There will also be stations for people to receive haircuts and chair massages, a special service that was very popular at the last Providence in the Park. Many attendees to this highly anticipated event are homeless or poor families in dire need of food.