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Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Friends mourn mother of two who drowned in Whiteshell
The victim of a drowning in Whiteshell Provincial Park on Saturday has been identified as a mother of two. The 38-year-old died after she slipped on rocks and fell into the water at Sturgeon Falls near Nutimik Lake on Saturday afternoon, RCMP said. Friends have identified the victim as Harpreet Kaur Girn. One described the loss as 'the toughest and unimaginable time' of Girn's family's life. GOFUNDME Harpreet Kaur Girn, 38, a mother of two drowned in the Whiteshell on Saturday. 'No one is ever ready to (lose their) family member, same goes for two little kids waiting for their (mom),' reads the friend's GoFundMe fundraiser for Girn's loved ones, created on the weekend. 'They don't even realize that their mom who went to the waterfall and was with them until few hours ago will never return back now.' The fundraiser said her parents are in shock, while many of her friends are 'inconsolable.' 'It all ended with a sudden slip that drew her into water and ended many (lives) not just hers,' said the fundraiser, which was created for her husband and children. Lifesaving Society Manitoba's executive director, Lynne Stefanchuk, described the woman's death as a tragedy. 'Our hearts just break for the family,' said Stefanchuk. 'You never want to see someone's life taken suddenly like that.' Stefanchuk warned the public to take precautions, as the summer begins and people flock to swim and spend time near bodies of water. 'You never know what might happen, so be as prepared as possible is really what we encourage people to do,' she said, adding that can include wearing a life jacket in or near the water, keeping kids close and abstaining from alcohol when boating or swimming. 'You never want to have to think about hindsight,' said Stefanchuk. She encouraged everyone, particularly people new to Canada, to take basic swimming lessons. 'Those basic safety lessons can make the difference when it finally comes down to it, if something should happen,' said Stefanchuk. Whitemouth RCMP were called to the area of the falls at 12:45 p.m. Saturday, where bystanders told them the water's strong current pulled Girn into the lake. A conservation officer in a boat was later able to find her in Nutimik Lake. She was taken to hospital and pronounced dead, RCMP said Monday. The drowning is not the first time a person has died at Sturgeon Falls, about 125 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg and 20 kilometres from the Ontario border. Accessible by a hiking trail, the falls are located on a narrow section of fast and deep water between Nutimik and Numao lakes on the Winnipeg River system. Rough water conditions, including surfing waves, have made the site a popular draw for experienced kayakers, while also creating safety concerns. A 12-year-old boy from Winnipeg, Usaid Habib, slipped into the water while climbing down the rocks on May 27, 2023. A bystander jumped into the water to try to save him, but could not get him to shore. RCMP recovered the boy's body two days later. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. In mid-May 2017, former Kenora police chief Dan Jorgensen died in a kayaking incident near the falls, after his boat overturned in rough waters at the base of the rapids. He was en route to Gimli on the Winnipeg River at the time. The trail to Sturgeon Falls was not open to the public Saturday, amid the province's mandatory evacuation of parts of the Whiteshell due to wildfires, though the campground at Nutimik Lake had reopened Friday. Elsewhere in Manitoba this year, a 20-year-old man drowned at the Pinawa Dam Provincial Heritage Park. The man slipped on wet rocks at the top of a small waterfall at the dam and fell into the water on the evening of May 4, RCMP said. His body was found the following day. Erik PinderaReporter Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020. Read more about Erik. Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I lost over 5st on Mounjaro but still avoid mirrors – I look like a melted welly with saggy skin down to my knees
A GRAN who shed more than five stone on Mounjaro is now fundraising to have surgery abroad - as she compares her saggy skin to a "melted welly". Angela Brown weighed 24st when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and knew she had to lose weight for her health. Advertisement 3 Angela Brown weighed 24st before embarking ona weight loss journey Credit: GOFUNDME 3 The gran is now a slim size 12/14 Credit: GOFUNDME 3 Angela used Mounjaro to help shed 5st when her weight loss 'stalled' Credit: Getty The 52-year-old managed to lose 6st naturally through a combination of dieting and exercise before her progress stalled. It was at this point she turned to the weight loss jabs to help her journey. Mounjaro is the brand name for Tirzepatide - a drug that lowers blood sugar levels. It produces more insulin and slows down how quickly food is digested. Advertisement Originally prescribed for people with type-2 diabetes, it is now available to those struggling with obesity with BMIs over 35. With the help of the jabs, Angela - from Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire - has now gone from a size 26 to a 12/14. She has more energy to run around after her grandkids and has reversed her diabetes. But despite her trimmer figure, she admits she hates looking in the mirror because she has been left with so much loose skin. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous She told the 'I've lost so much weight and my heath has vastly improved, but instead of feeling confident I hate looking in the mirror. I've lost 3 stone in 8 months on fat jabs - there's a common error new starters are making & it means nasty side effects "My stomach stretches down to my knees and the amount of saggy skin on my legs has left me feeling like my body looks like a melted welly. 'I feel so embarrassed, and I have to go up a clothes size just to fit the skin hanging down into my trousers. Advertisement "I was so heavy there was no possible way of losing weight without this happening and exercise won't help. "I've now hit my target weight and I'm off Mounjaro, I just want to get rid of the droopy skin and rebuild my confidence.' Unable to get the cosmetic provedure on the NHS, Angela says she is having to fork out £12,000 to have the three surgeries abroad. Advertisement She has managed to save £5,000 towards the ops by herself so she can "live life to the full without feeling embarrassed" by how she looks. Read more on the Irish Sun But she has also launched a GoFundMe appeal to help reach her overall goal. To donate to Angela's surgery fund, click Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I lost over 5st on Mounjaro but still avoid mirrors – I look like a melted welly with saggy skin down to my knees
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GRAN who shed more than five stone on Mounjaro is now fundraising to have surgery abroad - as she compares her saggy skin to a "melted welly". Angela Brown weighed 24st when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and knew she had to lose weight for her health. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Angela Brown weighed 24st before embarking ona weight loss journey Credit: GOFUNDME 3 The gran is now a slim size 12/14 Credit: GOFUNDME 3 Angela used Mounjaro to help shed 5st when her weight loss 'stalled' Credit: Getty The 52-year-old managed to lose 6st naturally through a combination of dieting and exercise before her progress stalled. It was at this point she turned to the weight loss jabs to help her journey. Mounjaro is the brand name for Tirzepatide - a drug that lowers blood sugar levels. It produces more insulin and slows down how quickly food is digested. Originally prescribed for people with type-2 diabetes, it is now available to those struggling with obesity with BMIs over 35. With the help of the jabs, Angela - from Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire - has now gone from a size 26 to a 12/14. She has more energy to run around after her grandkids and has reversed her diabetes. But despite her trimmer figure, she admits she hates looking in the mirror because she has been left with so much loose skin. She told the Glasgow Times: "The weight just melted away. It [Mounjaro] helped my metabolism to kick in and I lost five and a half stone. 'I've lost so much weight and my heath has vastly improved, but instead of feeling confident I hate looking in the mirror. I've lost 3 stone in 8 months on fat jabs - there's a common error new starters are making & it means nasty side effects "My stomach stretches down to my knees and the amount of saggy skin on my legs has left me feeling like my body looks like a melted welly. 'I feel so embarrassed, and I have to go up a clothes size just to fit the skin hanging down into my trousers. "I was so heavy there was no possible way of losing weight without this happening and exercise won't help. "I've now hit my target weight and I'm off Mounjaro, I just want to get rid of the droopy skin and rebuild my confidence.' Unable to get the cosmetic provedure on the NHS, Angela says she is having to fork out £12,000 to have the three surgeries abroad. She has managed to save £5,000 towards the ops by herself so she can "live life to the full without feeling embarrassed" by how she looks. But she has also launched a GoFundMe appeal to help reach her overall goal. To donate to Angela's surgery fund, click here.
Toronto Sun
01-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Family of three, including 5-year-old girl, among victims killed in Lapu Lapu tragedy
Richard Le, 47, and his wife Linh Hoang, 30, along with their daughter Katie, were at the south Vancouver festival when a driver sped through a pedestrian-only area and struck dozens of people on April 26, 2025 just after 8 p.m. Richard Le, 47, and his wife Linh Hoang, 30, along with their daughter Katie, were at the south Vancouver festival when a driver sped through a pedestrian-only area and struck dozens of people on April 26, 2025 just after 8 p.m. Photo by GOFUNDME / HANDOUT A family of three, including a five-year-old girl, are among those killed in the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Richard Le, 47, and his wife Linh Hoang, 30, along with their daughter Katie, were at the south Vancouver festival when a driver sped through a pedestrian-only area and struck dozens of people on April 26, 2025 just after 8 p.m. According to a GoFundMe campaign that has been set up for the family, the couple leave behind a 16-year-old son Andy Le, who was not at the festival 'only because, at the last moment, he decided to stay home to finish his homework instead.' 'Richard Le was a dedicated father, badminton and tennis coach, and real estate professional. He devoted his life to teaching young people the values of sportsmanship and team spirit. He served his community and clients with pride and always went out of his way to help others,' read the GoFundMe. 'His wife, Linh, was known for her kindness and gentle spirit. She had been planning a visit to see her family in Vietnam. Katie, one of the youngest victims, was about to graduate from kindergarten. She was vibrant, joyful, and full of life.' On Wednesday, son Andy shared a video statement via his aunt's Facebook page, thanking everyone for the donations to his GoFundMe. 'I would like to thank everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe campaign, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much. I truly appreciate each and every one of you,' he said. He said he knows other people are hurting too so he pledged to donate $266,000 of the funds to help the other victims. As of Thursday, More than $540,000 had been raised to help Le. Le said he wishes to live with his grandparents who have helped raise him and 'who truly love me.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Andy's Message Posted by Sandy's Obsession on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Toronto & GTA Ontario Editorial Cartoons NFL Travel USA
The Province
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Vancouver mother, a victim at Lapu Lapu, described as kind, gentle, sweet to everyone
'You just sort of felt like the centre of this beautiful attention when you were with her.' — Family friend of Jen Darbellay. Jen Darbellay. Photo by GOFUNDME / HANDOUT / eyJpdiI6ImtEK3VXZy93YWJwZTdTdXdO Jen Darbellay was the kind of woman who, while doting on her own two children, was like a loving, adoring aunt to the children of others, her friends say. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Empathetic, warm, selfless, the first to help out when others needed it, the 50-year-old died after being struck by an SUV during Saturday's horrific Lapu Lapu tragedy. She's survived by her husband, Noel Johansen, seven-year-old daughter Darby — both were injured in the mayhem — and 15-year-old son, Ford. 'Jen and Noel, they're just the sweetest, kindest people I know,' said Michael Daingerfield Hall, a close family friend and business partner of Johansen's. 'Just another level of kindness. 'It's just (unfathomable) that the world delivers things to kind and amazing people like this.' Jen Darbellay and husband Noel Johansen Photo by GOFUNDME / HANDOUT / eyJpdiI6IlhWTTAySXpMUjN0UTZkaFA0 The family was about to walk home, a block-and-a-half away, when the horror struck, Daingerfield Hall said. Darbellay's parents have flown to the family's home from Calgary. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Daingerfield Hall has started a GoFundMe page to help the family with coming expenses. Darbellay and her daughter were so attached, friends say, that the seven-year-old would sometimes be a bit late for school because she didn't want to leave her mom's side. 'It was like they were attached at the hip,' said Munisha Tumato, co-chair of the parent advisory council at Sir Alexander Mackenzie Elementary. 'Jen was always making sure she was safe, making sure she was happy, and Jen would dress her up in these really cute outfits.' After school, Darby was always the first child in line for pickup, waiting for her mom, Tumato said. 'If there was ever a time where Jen was going to be late, she would either text me or text one of the other moms and say, 'Can you go talk to Darby and just let her know I'm on my way, that I'll be there in five or 10 minutes?' so Darby wouldn't worry about her mom not being there.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Besides being a loving mother and caring friend, Darbellay was an accomplished seamstress and costumer designer in theatre, a painter and illustrator, musician and singer. In an interview with the South Delta Artists Guild, published on Facebook on April 1, Darbellay said she couldn't remember a time when she didn't identify as an artist. 'I have been painting in art classes and called myself an artist since I was three,' she said. 'It was always a strong and constantly present pull.' Painting by Jen Darbellay. She had a bachelor's degree in textiles from the Alberta University of the Arts, a Master's in fine arts in theatre design from the University of B.C. and was the recipient of three Betty Mitchell Awards. She was in the process of setting up face-painting lessons for all the kids at Mackenzie Elementary in time for end-of-school celebrations in June. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'She was a beautiful soul who was the world to both of her kids,' Darbellay's friend Shauna McGuire said. 'Her parents visited almost every second month from Alberta.' Painting by Jen Darbellay. When McGuire's youngest was born a year ago, she was one of at least four babies McGuire knows of for whom Darbellay had crocheted newborn's blankets. 'I just want to highlight how kind, sweet and gentle she was to everyone she came in contact with.' Darbellay made everyone instantly feel like they were old friends, Tumato added. 'You just sort of felt like the centre of this beautiful attention when you were with her. And I think what her passing has shown us as everyone comes out, is that we all felt like Jen treated all of us like we were her best friend. She just had a heart that big.' A vigil on Tuesday night at Mackenzie Elementary was expected to draw up to 500 people. 'I always thought we would have a lot of time to develop a long friendship, that's what I truly thought,' Tumato said. 'There was never any doubt in my mind, that that's what it would be with Jen. 'And then she's gone, it's just so senseless.' Jen Darbellay Photo by GOFUNDME / HANDOUT / eyJpdiI6Im45RjNMb1FzL2lPQWtyd1RU gordmcintyre@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Local News Vancouver Whitecaps Local News News
