Clubhouse being turned into recovery centre
A former clubhouse for biker gangs on Vancouver Island is being transformed into a wellness centre.
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CTV News
11 minutes ago
- CTV News
‘High hopes' of liver donor for ill 18-month-old Airdrie boy
An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. 'Having a donor transplant for Colby would be life-changing,' said the toddler's mother, Stephanie Crofts. Colby Crofts is an 18-month-old with a rare genetic condition called Alagille syndrome that impacts his organs, primarily his liver. He has been in hospital several times due to liver failure. His latest stay started in June. 'We spent the last almost nine weeks in hospital. It's been pretty tumultuous, I would say,' his mom said. 'It's been hard watching him get so sick.' An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. It is a difficult time for the toddler, his mom who stays with him at Alberta Children's Hospital (ACH) and his dad and three sisters who have been staying nearby at Ronald McDonald House. 'It's been a struggle for the family. We have high hopes and are believing things are going to change,' said his father, Mike Crofts. Right now, Colby is not able to walk or stand, has to take several medications and is always hooked up to a machine. His doctor says Colby needs a liver donation. 'It would be the difference between life and death for him,' said Dr. Simon Lam, who works in the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic at ACH. 'The priority is to get an organ to make sure we can get Colby back on track.' Lam says it is 'night and day' when children who need liver transplants get them, allowing the children to finally be able to grow, develop and live like kids. Colby was officially listed for a liver transplant on July 3, and his family is hoping the right donor comes along soon. It could come from someone deceased or a live donor who has surgery to remove a piece of their liver. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. His family says the living option does come with advantages. 'We could have a known time; we could book it during daytime (and) we could make sure the surgeons are all prepared and it's not an emergency,' Colby's mom said. She says she never knew living donors could give a piece of their liver. 'The liver is like a worm; you can cut a piece off and it can just regrow, but unfortunately for Colby, because of his genetic condition, his liver can't regenerate and repair itself,' said Dr. Lam. 'It is a major surgery, so there are risks with it, but overall the donors do very, very well.' Recovery for living donors often includes up to a week in hospital followed by about six to 10 weeks at home. Colby needs a donor with type O blood (+ or -) who is healthy and between the ages of 18 and 55. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. An Airdrie couple is spreading the word about live liver donations as they await a donor to save their toddler's life. Colby's mom says she learned there are eleven children waiting for livers in the areas served by Alberta's Living Donor Services (including Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan, B.C. and Northern Canada). That's why Colby's family and doctor are raising awareness about organ donation. 'The impact people can make with a selfless act,' said Dr. Lam. 'That huge impact that organ donation can have for the community and specifically patients like Colby.' Kidneys can also be donated through living donor programs. Anyone considering registering as a donor can contact Living Donor Services at 780-407-8698.
CTV News
11 minutes ago
- CTV News
NHL legends lace up for Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game supporting thousands across Simcoe County
It's hockey for a cause and the community is all in. The name of the spectacle may have changed over the years, but the impact remains the same. The annual hockey fundraiser known as the 'Barn Burner' continues to rally support for local causes, raising funds for dozens of charities and helping thousands across Simcoe County. 'People are incredibly gracious with their dollars; they're incredibly gracious with their time and efforts,' said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, praising the community's ongoing support. This year's Barn Burner features some of the biggest names from the NHL and PWHL. Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares returned once again to lend his support. Among the key beneficiaries this year is the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Foundation, with funds directed toward the ongoing improvement of the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care unit. The Boots and Hearts Barn Burner The Boots and Hearts Barn Burner charity hockey game announces their return to Sadlon Arena in Barrie Ont., marking its 18th year on the ice on June 6, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) Since 2022, the Barn Burner has raised over $120,000 for RVH's NIC unit, which plays a tremendous role in supporting the hospital's youngest and most vulnerable patients. 'We have over 2,100 births a year at RVH,' said Gail Hunt, RVH President and CEO. 'There's a percentage of those that need the services of our NIC unit. We probably see over 120 patients a year who require that level of care.' Beyond the rink, the Barn Burner event also supports families in the community. For another consecutive year, local favorite Pie Restaurant teamed up with Tavares to distribute thousands of backpacks to kids just in time for the new school year. 'We want to make sure kids are ready for school, ready to be successful, and have all the tools they need to succeed,' said Mayor Nuttall. 'It's a huge year for Pie Education, and we are proud of that.' Hunt emphasized the broader impact of events like the Barn Burner, which go beyond financial donations. 'I think people underestimate how much events like this can do for the community,' she said. 'This also builds a strong commitment to local charities.' The puck drops at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
CTV News
11 minutes ago
- CTV News
Salmonella outbreak linked to pistachios, Dubai chocolate likely to expand, PHAC says
A Dubai brand pistachio and knafeh milk chocolate bar is shown in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Government of Canada TORONTO — The Public Health Agency of Canada says it expects to report more salmonella cases linked to certain brands of pistachios and pistachio-containing products in the coming months, adding to the dozens of infections already confirmed in four provinces. On Tuesday, the federal agency said 52 have been sickened after eating contaminated pistachios and baked goods containing the nut. That includes 39 people in Quebec, nine in Ontario, three in British Columbia and one in Manitoba. Nine people have landed in hospital. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has recalled products from the brands Habibi, Al Mokhtar Food Centre and Dubai, distributed in Ontario, Quebec, and sold online to consumers across Canada. That includes Dubai chocolate, a type of treat that gained viral status for its decadent combination of milk chocolate, gooey pistachio cream and crispy knafeh, a sweet pastry. The chocolate bar gained fame on TikTok in 2023 as influencers filmed themselves trying the confection, initially created in the United Arab Emirates. The popularity has led to copycat products and spawned many reviews and recipes on food blogs. April Hexemer, the public health agency's director of outbreak management, says she expects that reports of salmonella cases will increase because of the time it takes for someone to report an illness and health officials to confirm it. Hexemer says it can take between 15 and 55 days to identify a case, as it involves the patient seeking care and getting tested to determine if their infection is linked to the outbreak. 'There will be quite some time before we can declare this one over,' Hexemer said in an interview Wednesday. She said officials estimate there are 26 more cases for every confirmed infection. 'Some people have a milder illness and don't seek medical care. Or if they do, they may not be subjected to a laboratory test,' Hexemer said. She said it's too soon to say if there will be recalls of other pistachio-containing products, or if investigators can determine the origins of the outbreak. It's also too early to say why most of the outbreak's cases – 75 per cent – have been females, ranging in age from two to 89 years old. Salmonella is a food-borne bacterial illness that can spread several days or weeks after a person is infected, even if they don't have symptoms. It can result in severe and potentially deadly infections, particularly for children, pregnant people, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, cramps and diarrhea. Those symptoms typically start six to 72 hours after exposure, and end within a week. The food inspection agency encourages consumers to check the brand and product codes in the recall notice and get rid or return products that match the description. More details can be found at here. Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press
