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Ottawa Citizen
23-07-2025
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
'I'm going to save a life': Ripple effect of a pioneering organ donor saves baby in need
Article content Gosling changed the system in which Canada is now a world leader — anonymous liver donations to strangers. The ripple effect of his act continues to change lives. Article content Article content Since his surgery, 150 people, including Goldberg, have donated part of their liver anonymously to a stranger through the University Health Network. The number often surprises people around the world, with some asking why anyone would take the risk of donating a part of their liver anonymously to someone they have no connection to. Article content Hospital officials have learned more about what makes people like Gosling and Goldberg tick — writing that anonymous liver donors are often super altruists who are driven by a strong desire to help others — even those they are not connected to. Article content That is something both Gosling and Goldberg understand. At separate times during their hour-long virtual conversation, they each articulated similar reasons for wanting to donate. Article content Article content 'If you could save somebody else's life, why wouldn't you?' Article content Goldberg did not set out to donate part of her liver to a stranger. Article content In late 2022, with both sons away at university, the Thornhill, Ont., resident felt she wanted to do something to make a difference in the world. When she received a request in the mail to consider donating a kidney, she was intrigued. Article content 'My kids at the time were both studying at Laurier, and I thought, 'Well, I'm an empty nester. I'm pretty healthy. Why not? What am I doing now?' ' Article content She did the initial testing and received a call six weeks later saying she was a match with a person in need of a kidney. Article content Goldberg became more excited as the potential surgery neared, but during the final stage of screening, a CT scan revealed a small irregularity in her kidney, which disqualified her from becoming a donor. Article content 'I was really devastated. It took me a long time to get over it because I knew I was being tested for one person. I was devastated for this person, even though I never met them.' Article content Article content Months later, Goldberg picked up a copy of the National Post and read a story about Gosling's groundbreaking anonymous liver donation and how the ripple effects of that act continue to be felt in Canada. (The story, 'The Gosling effect: How one man and his liver forever changed Canadian health care,' was originally published in the Ottawa Citizen). Article content She was fascinated by what she read. Article content 'I knew liver donation was a lot more invasive, but it sounded so attainable. (I thought) 'I could do this. Why can't I do this?' ' Article content She showed the article to her husband and then went on the website linked to the story and filled out a health and medical questionnaire. She received an automated reply that the information would be kept on file for a year. Article content A few weeks later, she received a phone call from a nurse in the program called her just weeks later to talk further. Article content 'Is this something you want to do? Do you want to continue with it?' she was asked. Article content When Goldberg said yes, a meeting with members of the hospital's transplant team was arranged where they gave her 'nitty gritty' details of the surgery and what to expect. Article content 'They didn't leave any details out. They pretty much were trying to scare me. Why would you want to do this? What are your intentions? This is the workup. This is what you have to do. This is the surgery,' she said. Article content When the surgeons asked whether she was still certain, she replied that she was 120 per cent in. 'I want to do this.' Article content After more tests and meetings with a social worker and psychologist, among others, Goldberg was told that she had matched with a baby in need of a new liver and that her surgery was scheduled for mid-January. Article content Article content When her mother asked her if she fully understood what the surgery involved, Goldberg said yes. Article content Article content Goldberg said she was more prepared for the surgery than she had been for childbirth. She knew what to expect day-by-day and was given frequent updates. Article content Her recovery was relatively routine, although it took time to heal and rest. She learned that the baby who had received part of her liver recovered well and was eventually able to return home. Article content And although she hadn't told many people about what she was going to do, her husband posted about her on social media, calling her an inspiration and soon members of her community, including her rabbi, were visiting, offering support and bringing food. Article content Article content Goldberg said she is proud of what she was able to do with the support of her husband and kids, and she wants more people to think about doing something to help others — not only donating a liver or kidney but blood or plasma donations, or even making sure their organ donation card is signed. Article content 'I want awareness. I want people to know that this can be done,' she said. Article content 'I don't know if this will be my mission for life, but if I can inspire people like Kevin inspired people, that would just be amazing.'
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canada's extreme heat can be extremely dangerous for seniors. Here's what to know, plus how to stay cool
Our favourite summer activities are put on hold when the temperatures creep dangerously high. On Monday, Environment Canada issued an dangerous heat and humidity warning for parts of Ontario; temperatures in certain areas of the province are expected to reach as high as 46 degrees Celsius. While extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, seniors in particular, are vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke is something all ages should consider during warmer months. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. A version of this story was originally published in 2024. With the help of Dr. Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, a geriatrician at Toronto's Sinai Health and the University Health Network, here's how seniors can keep cool and healthy all summer long. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature. As a geriatrician and general internist working at a busy downtown hospital, Reppas-Rindlisbacher says she sees an increase in heat-related illnesses in older adults during summer. She also tells Yahoo Canada the risk of falls in seniors rises in the summer months due to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Here are some helpful tips to keep cool and hydrated: Stay cool indoors: Make sure your air conditioning is in good working order, and get it serviced annually. During particularly hot days, minimize outdoor time, especially between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. when the sun is strongest. Hydrate regularly: Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink fluids. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip on cool water or non-sugary sports drinks throughout the day. Dress for the weather: Opt for loose-fitting, lightweight clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton, and wear footwear that will protect feet from hot surfaces. This is especially beneficial for older adults with neuropathy in their feet. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include cramps, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, thirst and fatigue. If you do experience any of these, here's how you can cool down your body to avoid getting heat stroke: Find shade or go inside an air-conditioned building Sit in front of a fan after spraying yourself with cool water Remove extra layers of clothing Apply an ice pack or cold cloth to your neck, armpits and groin Drink water or sports drinks and avoid alcohol or caffeine Take a cool bath or shower Exposure to harsh sun rays should be a concern for all ages, but it's particularly important that seniors protect themselves since they have fewer melanocytes. These are cells that produce melanin, which protects skin from sunburns. This reduction in melanin production makes seniors more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer. Seniors can protect their skin by: Applying sunscreen daily: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, even on cloudy days. Look for formulas with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to nourish your skin. Choosing whatever you will use: There is a lot of debate about mineral vs. chemical sunscreens, but they both protect against UV radiation. According to Reppas-Rindlisbacher, "The best sunscreen is the one that people are most likely to use daily." Wearing sun protection gear: When outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield your face and eyes from UV rays. Certain medical conditions and medications can increase a senior's risk of heat-related illness. Dr. Reppas-Rindlisbacher highlights some to watch out for: Medical conditions: Diabetes, heart disease and dementia can make seniors more vulnerable to heat stroke. Heavy alcohol use, obesity and frailty are also risk factors. Medications: Diuretics, certain pain relievers (NSAIDs) and some medications for bladder control, depression and allergies can affect hydration or heat regulation. If you take any of these medications, it's important to discuss summer safety strategies with your health-care provider. During hot spells, it's crucial for seniors to have a support system in place. Caregivers and family members can help by: Giving daily check-ins: Regularly check on older loved ones, especially during heat waves. Offer hydration reminders: Help seniors stay hydrated by reminding them to drink fluids throughout the day. Limiting outdoor activity: Discourage outings during peak sun hours and encourage staying cool indoors. Helping prevent falls: Consider buying a medical alert system that includes detection for added peace of mind.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Canada's extreme heat can be extremely dangerous for seniors. Here's what to know, plus how to stay cool
Our favourite summer activities are put on hold when the temperatures creep dangerously high. On Monday, Environment Canada issued an dangerous heat and humidity warning for parts of Ontario; temperatures in certain areas of the province are expected to reach as high as 46 degrees Celsius. While extreme heat can be dangerous for everyone, seniors in particular, are vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke is something all ages should consider during warmer months. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. A version of this story was originally published in 2024. With the help of Dr. Christina Reppas-Rindlisbacher, a geriatrician at Toronto's Sinai Health and the University Health Network, here's how seniors can keep cool and healthy all summer long. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at regulating temperature. As a geriatrician and general internist working at a busy downtown hospital, Reppas-Rindlisbacher says she sees an increase in heat-related illnesses in older adults during summer. She also tells Yahoo Canada the risk of falls in seniors rises in the summer months due to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Here are some helpful tips to keep cool and hydrated: Stay cool indoors: Make sure your air conditioning is in good working order, and get it serviced annually. During particularly hot days, minimize outdoor time, especially between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. when the sun is strongest. Hydrate regularly: Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink fluids. Carry a reusable water bottle and sip on cool water or non-sugary sports drinks throughout the day. Dress for the weather: Opt for loose-fitting, lightweight clothing made from breathable fabrics like cotton, and wear footwear that will protect feet from hot surfaces. This is especially beneficial for older adults with neuropathy in their feet. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include cramps, headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, thirst and fatigue. If you do experience any of these, here's how you can cool down your body to avoid getting heat stroke: Find shade or go inside an air-conditioned building Sit in front of a fan after spraying yourself with cool water Remove extra layers of clothing Apply an ice pack or cold cloth to your neck, armpits and groin Drink water or sports drinks and avoid alcohol or caffeine Take a cool bath or shower Exposure to harsh sun rays should be a concern for all ages, but it's particularly important that seniors protect themselves since they have fewer melanocytes. These are cells that produce melanin, which protects skin from sunburns. This reduction in melanin production makes seniors more susceptible to sun damage and skin cancer. Seniors can protect their skin by: Applying sunscreen daily: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, even on cloudy days. Look for formulas with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid to nourish your skin. Choosing whatever you will use: There is a lot of debate about mineral vs. chemical sunscreens, but they both protect against UV radiation. According to Reppas-Rindlisbacher, "The best sunscreen is the one that people are most likely to use daily." Wearing sun protection gear: When outdoors, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shield your face and eyes from UV rays. Certain medical conditions and medications can increase a senior's risk of heat-related illness. Dr. Reppas-Rindlisbacher highlights some to watch out for: Medical conditions: Diabetes, heart disease and dementia can make seniors more vulnerable to heat stroke. Heavy alcohol use, obesity and frailty are also risk factors. Medications: Diuretics, certain pain relievers (NSAIDs) and some medications for bladder control, depression and allergies can affect hydration or heat regulation. If you take any of these medications, it's important to discuss summer safety strategies with your health-care provider. During hot spells, it's crucial for seniors to have a support system in place. Caregivers and family members can help by: Giving daily check-ins: Regularly check on older loved ones, especially during heat waves. Offer hydration reminders: Help seniors stay hydrated by reminding them to drink fluids throughout the day. Limiting outdoor activity: Discourage outings during peak sun hours and encourage staying cool indoors. Helping prevent falls: Consider buying a medical alert system that includes detection for added peace of mind.
CBC
23-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
8 ways to help your body cope in hot weather
Social Sharing As people across Ontario, Quebec and major cities in the U.S. swelter under a June heat wave, medical experts urge people to take precautions in the potentially deadly weather. Much of eastern Canada is dealing with extreme heat and humidity, say meteorologists who point to how Environment Canada's heat record for June was broken on Sunday in Toronto. The temperature on Monday was expected to climb to 36 C at Pearson International Airport, with Environment Canada saying hot and humid conditions will likely continue until Wednesday. In summer 2021 in British Columbia, 619 deaths were attributed to a heat event, according to a B.C. coroner's report. Many of the people who died had chronic health conditions, especially schizophrenia, depression, substance use disorders, diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease. Dr. Edward Xie, an emergency physician at Toronto's University Health Network, said public health units, doctors and nurses focus on 26 C, because the B.C. event showed the highest risk of death was related to indoor temperatures above that temperature throughout the heat event. Here's what Xie and other experts say happens to the body in the heat and what they recommend to stay safe. Heat-related symptoms to watch for "We have warm skin, we might look flushed, we may feel that our heart is pounding faster and we're breathing more to get that blood moving," Xie said, listing symptoms of heat exhaustion. Our bodies are very effective at normal human body temperature of around 37 C. But when the weather is hot, blood vessels expand to carry more blood to try to get rid of the extra heat faster through the skin, Xie said. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can also include dizziness, headaches, fast breathing and thirst, which can affect anyone. When that happens, the person needs to cool down within 30 minutes. WATCH | What working out in the heat does to the body: A 20-minute run in 40 C. What happens to the body in extreme heat 2 years ago Duration 3:10 When temperatures hit historic highs, it can affect every organ in the body as well as mental cognition. But what does that feel like? CBC's Lauren Pelley visited a lab where it's being studied to experience what happens when the body overheats. "The most important thing is to get somewhere cool as quickly as possible," said Greg Wells, a senior scientist at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and an exercise physiologist. Tips to prevent overheating To try to stay coo l, Wells and Health Canada also suggest: Get out of the sun and head indoors, preferably where there is air conditioning. Wear light-coloured clothing. Put on a hat. Keep the sun off your body. Consider getting exercise in the morning or in the evening. If you're already overheating, they recommend: If there's no A/C, Wells said to use what's available, such as towels with cool water on them to help suck some of the heat from your body. Stay hydrated to ensure you have enough fluids to sweat and keep the heat coming off the body. Take cool showers or baths until you feel refreshed. What impairs sweat While it may smell unpleasant, sweating is your body's friend. That's because sweating aims to get heat to dissipate into the environment. And the higher the temperature gets, the more sweating becomes the main way the body cools, Xie said. Wells said when it is really humid, that makes it even harder because the sweat doesn't evaporate off your skin as quickly to pull the heat from your body. Babies, pregnant people and those aged 65 or older aren't able to produce sweat as effectively. Xie said some medical conditions also impair the body's ability to sweat and some medications may make it easier to dehydrate. "There are many heart medications that allow people to get rid of water in their body," Xie said. "Well, you can imagine that during a heat wave, they need that extra water to not get dehydrated." Those medications include, but are not limited to, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, heart medications, thyroid medications, ADHD medications and antidepressants. In heat stroke, the body's core temperature goes above 40.6 C — a medical emergency that can lead to long-term organ damage and death. Symptoms include rapid breathing, confusion or seizures, and nausea.
France 24
18-06-2025
- Health
- France 24
Canada needs 'bold ambition' to poach top US researchers
But to succeed, Canada will need to summon something it has at times lacked, namely "bold ambition," the head of the country's largest hospital chain told AFP. Trump's funding cuts for scientific research are freeing up talent and "creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to recruit, said Kevin Smith, the chief executive of Toronto's University Health Network (UHN). To seize that opportunity, Canada has to ditch its traditional "incrementalist" approach, Smith added. "Let's not say good enough is good enough. Let's say excellent is where we need to go." Experts say Trump's policies could trigger a tectonic shift in the global competition for the world's brightest minds. For decades, deep-pocketed US universities backed by federal support have scooped up talent, including in biomedical research. But Trump's administration has already slashed billions of dollars in research grants affecting various institutions, including most notably Harvard University. Programs affected by the National Institutes of Health's cuts include studies on gender, the health effects of global warming, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. France and the European Union are already trying to woo disgruntled US researchers. European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said last month that the EU would launch a new incentives package worth 500 million euros ($577 million) to make the 27-nation bloc "a magnet for researchers". 'Peanut butter spread' Smith and UHN's vice president for science and research, Brad Wouters, argued that Canada -- and particularly its largest city, Toronto -- are well placed to compete for US talent. English-speaking, culturally familiar, and geographically close to major US research centers in New England and New York, Toronto boasts a hospital network and research ecosystem regularly ranked among the world's best. The city has already poached three high-profile academics from Yale University, although all work in the arts. The group -- who study fascism -- announced last month in a stirring New York Times video that they were leaving the United States to take up positions in Toronto. "I'm leaving to the University of Toronto because I want to do my work without the fear that I will be punished," one of the professors, Jason Stanley, said in the video. Wouters told AFP that since Trump's election, UHN "started to see a talent pool that was a notch higher than what we normally see" for vacant positions, with leading US-based scientists initiating inquiries about opportunities in Toronto. UHN has launched a plan to create 100 medical research positions through its own fundraising but wants institutions across Canada to attract 1,000 new scientists. Reaching that target will require government support, and confronting an ingrained Canadian mindset that prioritizes sharing healthcare resources equally across the vast country. The plan will face "a bit of a collision between the peanut butter spread of equality versus elitism," Smith said. "That isn't always easy for governments or for elected we're pretty hopeful," he added. 'Supporting role' Matthew Lebo, a political scientist at Ontario's Western University, agreed Trump's policies have created an unprecedented opportunity for brain gain in Canada. But he voiced concern the country wouldn't mobilize. "Canada has a history of being comfortable playing a supporting role," he told AFP. "There is just an inherent lack of ambition." Lebo noted that while some US-based researchers may be concerned about crackdowns on their work, others might eye Canada for personal reasons, including the desire to live in a country where reproductive and LGBTQ rights are more firmly safeguarded. While he hasn't yet seen signs of broad national action, he said "it wouldn't take deep thought to catch up." "It takes some big number (of dollars) and a plan."
