ASL Awareness month

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. Those living with the disease become progressively paralyzed due to degeneration of the upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Eighty per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis - unable to breathe or swallow.

Learn more at http://www.als.ca/  This website hosts a plethora of information to help patients, families and caregivers understand more about the disease and the resources available to them.

Canadian Environmental Week - June 5-11

You cannot pick up a Canadian (or international) newspaper these days without some concern or commentary on the state of our environment. Recycling, global warming, chemical-free cleaning and gardening, to name a few, are topics that go beyond “trendy”. They are real and they are now.

Canadian Environmental Week is set aside to encourage all Canadians to look around their homes and their communities for ways to get involved in improving the quality of the environment.  Learn more at http://www.ec.gc.ca/

Clean Air Day - June 8

Clean Air Day is a government sponsored focal point for information and action on clean air and climate change issues in response to requests from community-based environmental, health and transportation groups; and nation-wide activities continue to emphasize a grassroots approach.

Clean Air Day also celebrates environmental actions as part of a healthy lifestyle. Environment Canada works with many organizations and community groups to help deliver Clean Air Day. Our partners have created their own web site, http://www.cleanairday.com/  where you’ll find many tips and tools to help reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Remember, Clean Air Day belongs to all of us – so join in and celebrate; every action counts! 

Stroke Awareness month

The Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation has just revised its “Stroke” section of their website.  Stroke is a medical emergency – dial 911 immediately if you, or a co-worker, exhibit any of these signs:

 Weakness - Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.
 Trouble speaking - Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary.
 Vision problems - Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary.
 Headache - Sudden severe and unusual headache.
 Dizziness - Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs.

Find out more here:

Sun Awareness Week - June 6-12

Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common of all cancers in Canada. While sunlight is important for a person’s health, too much sun can be downright dangerous. SLAP, SLOP, SLIP is the slogan for Sun Awareness Week. Discover more important facts and tips.