A Victoria nurse, Sharon Horton, will soon be embarking an a two-month stint volunteering her services on the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy.
The University of Victoria alumnus currently works as an outpatient burn-and-wound nurse.
She will spend her time working onboard the vessel, currently docked in Douala, Cameroon, as an outpatient nurse.
“I thought off and on about serving with Mercy Ships. About one and a half years ago, I decided to start the application process,” said Horton. “Two months seemed like a good length of time for me.”
The medical charity provides free, life-changing surgery for thousands of people without access to healthcare.
She will be one of more than 400 volunteers from 40 nations on board the 152-metre-long ship. It boasts five operating theatres and a 78-bed patient ward, specializing in maxillofacial, reconstructive, plastics, orthopedic, ophthalmic, dental and obstetric fistula surgeries.
The ship spends 10 months in each host nation’s port.
This is Mercy Ships’ first field service in Cameroon, where an estimated 40 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line.
With a severe shortage of medical professionals — there are fewer than two doctors for every 10,000 people — the Cameroonian health system struggles to offer a high level of care.
“I am excited to be able to work alongside a multinational staff, to serve the people of Cameroon and learn from the various cultural/work experiences,” said Horton.
For more information, go to mercyships.ca.
Volunteer fair Tuesday at Camosun College
Looking for a meaningful opportunity to serve others or the community? Attend a Volunteer Fair hosted by Volunteer Victoria, in partnership with Camosun College, Tuesday at the Interurban Campus of Camosun College.
Representatives from 16 community serving agencies — including Pacifica Housing, the Mustard Seed, Baptist Housing, Royal B.C. Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and others will be in attendance.
The fair is an opportunity for people to talk to individuals who are working for community-based organizations
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Helmet Hubert Annex (next to the cafeteria) of Camosun College, Interurban Campus, 4461 Interurban Rd. For more information, go to camosun.ca.
East Coast party with a West Coast heart
A small volunteer committee in Victoria is organizing Life is a Celebration, Despite ALS, described as an East Coast party with a West Coast heart, a fundraiser inspired by a local man who is living with ALS, April 14 at the Saanich Fairgrounds.
The event is focused on the idea that life is to be lived, embraced, and celebrated — even when faced with a devastating disease like ALS. This is the way their friend, Bill Erving, lives his life.
The event features a community dance featuring Knackers Yard, a local Celtic band.
“Bill has to be one of the most positive and fun-loving people I have ever met,” said Sandi Ayer, one of the event organizers. “I wanted to do something, but I knew that my small donation wouldn’t be much of a contribution. I know that a group of folks working together can have the power to make a significant difference.”
The committee’s goal is to increase awareness and raise funds to benefit the ALS Society of B.C. Sixty per cent of the proceeds will fund the Society’s Patient Services Program, and 40 per cent will go to ALS research.
Tickets are $25. The event runs from 7:30 to 11 p.m. April 14, in the Main Hall at Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stellys Cross Rd., Saanichton.
For tickets, or to donate, go to alsbc.ca/events/third-party-events/583-life-celebration-despite-als.
Help Matthew’s House help B.C. families
St. Joseph’s Elementary will host a Coffee Morning for Matthew’s House on April 27 as part of their Civvies Day.
This is the second year of the fundraising event, where students put on some coffee, provide goodies and invite people to bring a donation.
Proceeds go toward Matthew’s House, which supports families from across B.C. by providing quality care for children living with complex care needs so that parents can get the rest they deserve.
“It’s such a worthy cause,” said Michelle Cavin, special education assistant at the school. She added that since Matthew’s House is operated by Communitas Supportive Care Society, a faith-based organization, it was a good fit for their school.
This year, the fundraiser will get a boost from a school tradition.
“We have what we call a Civvies Day where the students get to come to school in their casual clothes instead of their uniforms,” said Cavin. “They each bring a toonie (or more) to donate. Starbucks serves coffee in the staff room for all the parents and staff and we provide information about Matthew’s House.”
Last year, the event raised more than $700, but this year she hopes to get the students more involved by adding a prize for the classroom that raises the most money.
The secondary school, St. Andrew’s, is also planning to participate on a date to be determined.
To sign up your school to host an event, visit mattshouse.ca/ coffeemorning. Sign up before March 26 and request free Starbucks coffee.
Paddling fundraiser aids cancer victims
Hit the water with the Monster and Sea 24-hour Paddle for Cancer, a fundraiser for cancer victims and their families.
Members of the paddling community are encouraged to take part in any type of vessel, or lend a hand at the event.
The event features a relay team of six paddlers, out on the water for 24 hours, surrounded by their community cheering them on.
Unlike traditional charities, which usually means starting a foundation or official charity, organizers collect donations, put them into envelopes of $1,000 and quietly slip them into the hands of families struggling with cancer.
“It’s a chance for local paddlers to come together and raise funds for families at a time when this disease has caused so much chaos in their lives,” said Pam Martin, organizer of the Victoria teams. “The quiet and unconditional way donations are given out makes this effort particularly meaningful to those of us who feel fortunate to be able to help.”
Paddlers from as far as Nanoose Bay and French Creek are expected.
Pacifica Paddle Sports in Brentwood Bay has generously donated their facilities as a home base for the Victoria team. Team members will take turns on standup paddleboards for more than 24 hours.
The event starts at 8 a.m. April 14 and concludes 8 a.m. April 15 at Pacifica Paddle Sports, 789 Saunders Lane in Brentwood Bay. For more information, go to monsterandsea.com.
Program will help you quit smoking, get fitter
Kick your smoking habit and get fit at the same time as the Walk or Run to Quit program returns to Victoria for a second year at both area Running Room locations.
The program helps participants replace smoking with a healthier activity — learning to walk or run five kilometres.
Research has found that becoming physically active increases a person’s chances of quitting since exercise helps curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
The 10-week program combines the know-how of the Canadian Cancer Society with the clinical walking/ running expertise of the Running Room and the support of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“The program is set up to help participants reduce and or quit smoking, while building a more active lifestyle,” said Bill Taylor, clinic instructor and the area manager for Running Room Vancouver Island. “Sometimes smokers are intimidated by the idea of becoming more physically active and what that entails, but this is designed for everyone, no matter what their current level of physical fitness; we base this on their level of comfort.”
It takes the average smoker multiple attempts before finally quitting. In 2017, more than half of the participants interviewed reported being non-smokers six months after completing the program. Participants continue to run, on average, three times a week.
Along with a 10-week walk or run plan, participants are provided with evidence-based quit-smoking resources, including a smokers’ guidebook. They are also encouraged to call the national quit-smoking line at 1-866-366-3667.
Victoria is the first B.C. location to host the spring in-store training program. It starts at 6 p.m. Monday at the downtown Running Room, 1234 Government St. and at the same time on Tuesday at the Broadmead Village Shopping Centre location.
For more information, or to register, go to runtoquit.com.
Environmental awards seek nominations
Nominations are now open for the 19th annual Recycling Council of British Columbia MOBI Environmental Awards. The awards celebrate the achievements of British Columbians who are making a difference working toward creating a world without waste.
The awards, also known as the MOBIs, are named after the Möbius Loop recycling symbol.
“The MOBI awards are an opportunity to recognize zero-waste efforts from boardrooms to classrooms, from council groups to grassroots — every group has a part to play,” said Brock Macdonald, CEO Recycling Council of British Columbia. “For almost two decades, we have recognized leaders, innovators, and change-makers across all sectors in British Columbia.”
Nominations are open for seven different sectors: educators, youth, public sector, private sector, innovation, media/ journalism and non-profit.
Established in 1974, the council is a multi-sectoral, non-profit, registered charity that promotes the development of a circular economy and facilitates the exchange of ideas and knowledge to eliminate waste in B.C.
Deadline for submission is Earth Day, April 22.
Those making sustainability a priority in their communities can apply online at rcbcconference.ca/ rcbc-awards-2018.html. For more information, go to rcbc.ca.
Event to highlight animal welfare
Citizens who support animal welfare in the Cowichan Valley and neighbouring communities are invited to a Cowichan Cares event today at the Duncan Community Lodge.
Hosted by United for a Paws, the advocacy event is meant to bring awareness to the cause of animal welfare and to rally supporters behind the most effective approach to make needed changes.
Speakers include MP Alistair MacGregor, MLA Doug Routley, a representative from the B.C. SPCA and Dr. John Katzman of Prevost Veterinary Clinic.
United for a Paws is a newly formed animal welfare organization based in the Cowichan Valley.
Doors open at 12:30, and the event runs from 1 to 3 p.m. today at the Duncan Community Lodge, 2244 Moose Rd., Duncan.
For more information, go to Facebook.
