A Grade 7 Victoria student has won an award at the 2016 Vancouver Island Regional Science Fair for coming up with what could be an effective disinfectant for a dangerous hospital superbug.
Zofka Svec, a 12-year-old who attends Maria Montessori Academy, earned WorkSafe B.C.’s Al Appleton Award for discovering what might be the answer to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), a hospital superbug. Her interest in stopping the spread of the disease was triggered after her mother contracted and survived infection with the bug.
“I wanted to help others like my mom because I found out this was a really big problem in hospitals,” said Zofka.
It took the youngster eight months to study the effectiveness of seven different disinfectants, including varying strengths of ethanol, diluted hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium salt, a thyme-oil derivative and bleach.
“I thought bleach would work best because it’s what’s currently used in hospitals,” said Zofka. “I learned that 30 per cent diluted hydrogen peroxide was 98 per cent effective on Bacillus subtilis, a similar, but safer, bacteria to handle than C. difficile.”
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, C. difficile is one of the most common infections found in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
“Zofka’s project was the winner because she showed a level of understanding that this could have a big potential impact on health care,” said Ray Merriman, WorkSafe B.C. occupational hygiene officer and award judge.
Created in memory of Al Appleton, a long-serving WorkSafeBC prevention manager and occupational hygiene officer, provincial awards are given annually to B.C. students in Grades 7 to 12 whose projects best demonstrate the principles of occupational hygiene: identifying, assessing and controlling health hazards in the workplace.
For more information, go to worksafebc.com.
Credit union members aid Fort McMurray
Members of Coastal Community Credit Union, clients, employees and the public have raised almost $17,000 in a matter of weeks for Red Cross relief efforts in Fort McMurray.
The Island-based credit union established a Red Cross donation account soon after news broke of the devastating wildfires, knowing that Islanders would want a secure and reputable place to make their donations.
The credit union, with 51 branches on Vancouver Island, has offered similar donation accounts for disaster relief in the past.
The funds were collected in time for government matching, bringing the final donation total close to $34,000.
For more information, go to cccu.ca.
Hundreds of bikes bound for Africa
Thanks to the generosity of Times Colonist readers, Bicycles for Humanity Victoria was able collect 456 good used bicycles and spare parts for some of the world’s poorest people.
The volunteer-run organization sends unwanted bikes to developing countries. The old bikes get a new life, supporting grassroots projects that improve access to health care, education, water, food and employment.
The local group also collected cash donations to defray shipping costs. A special mention goes to Erin and Henry Sherry. Through fundraising initiatives at Sir James Douglas School and its Me to We club, Henry was instrumental in raising more than $4,000.
Last week, a small team of dedicated volunteers loaded the bikes into their eighth shipping container. By now, the container has begun a long sea journey that will see it delivered into the skilled hands of Africycle in Zomba, Malawi.
“We at Bicycles for Humanity very much appreciate your kindness,” said Chris Wille, the founder of the social initiative.
For more information, go to b4hvictoria.blogspot.ca.
Adventure racers support prostate centre
Victorians taking part in the sixth annual UrbaCity Challenge, reached new heights of fun — and raised more than $50,000 for the Island Prostate Centre in the process.
UrbaCity is an urban adventure race with a twist. Teams of two and four competitors shot padded arrows in Beacon Hill Park, noshed dangling Beaver Tails (a pastry), looked for obscure vinyl albums or drove remote-control cars at Challenge Stations set up in downtown businesses and hot spots.
The money raised will help Island Prostate Centre’s work with local men and their families.
For more information, go to islandprostatecentre.com or urbacity.ca.
Cashing in with cans
The third annual Canstruction Victoria event raised almost $100,000 in cash and donations of food for the Mustard Seed.
Nine teams competed in the fundraiser, hosted by the Dahlia Society. At the event, which ran May 6 to 16, the teams created structures made from 37,300 donated cans of non-perishable food items — the equivalent of almost 18,000 kilograms of food.
The donation will see the Mustard Seed through its busy summer season, when food needs are high and donations are generally low.
“Canstruction is such an important fundraiser for the Mustard Seed,” said Allan Lingwood, acting executive director. “We are very grateful to the Dahlia Society and all Canstruction teams, sponsors and supporters for all of their efforts to give back to our community.”
The nine teams involved in the 2016 event included St. Michael’s University School, Knappet Projects, Megson Fitzpatrick Insurance with Stellar Architectural Consulting, Seafirst Insurance with Finlayson Bonet Architecture, two Fairway Markets teams with Low Hammond Rowe Architecture, Sysco Victoria with Read Jones Christoferson, Low Hammond Rowe Architects and Christine Lintott Architecture.
To date, Canstruction Victoria events have collected more than 97,000 cans of food, which, in addition to monetary donations, equals more than $260,000 worth of products and funds to the Mustard Seed.
For more information, go to thedahliasociety.com/canstruction/ canstruction-victoria.
Childhood friend spurred cancer campaign
The thought of a childhood friend with cancer, undergoing treatment, has inspired a young man to raise more than $2,000 for cancer research.
When Sean Lider was very young, he had a friend who had cancer. The memory of his friend undergoing treatment stayed with him for years.
He had always had the desire to do something to help with children’s cancer, and recently co-ordinated a community event that raised more than $2,000, which was donated to the B.C. Cancer Foundation. To donate, go to bccancerfoundation.com.
Peanut butter welcomed at Mustard Seed
Most people love peanut butter — and it is a nutritious, healthy food. So when an agency that supports more than 1,000 families each month with food and programming gets more than 1,150 jars donated on the eve of one of its highest-need months, there are smiles all around.
“Once schools are closed for the summer, children are no longer benefiting from school lunch programs,” said Allan Lingwood, director of development, at the Mustard Seed. “Food donations drop off while families are away, so we are particularly grateful for this additional peanut butter.”
The donation was thanks to Project Peanut Butter, a program by Merry Maids. For the past six weeks, the cleaning company collected peanut butter from customers throughout Victoria.
But charity didn’t stop there — project partner Island Nut Roastery matched the jars donated.
“Our clients and staff support this important cause wholeheartedly,” said Matt Tanner of Merry Maids.
“Project Peanut Butter does good in the community and supports local families who need the help the most.’
Many of the Mustard Seed’s clients are the working poor, meaning they have employment but are not able to meet the monthly financial demands of food, shelter and clothing. It is funded by donations from individuals, families, businesses, groups, churches and not-for-profit agencies.
For more information, go to merrymaidsvictoria.com or mustardseed.ca.
Grants go to kids for sports
KidSport Victoria has been busy lately with the big and rewarding task of distributing $200,000 in grants to 735 deserving kids.
The funds are a direct consequence of the Frontrunners Oak Bay Half Marathon and Kids Run, the Larry Orr Memorial Golf Tournament, the September 2016 Golf for Kids event, the Thrifty Foods Kids Run and several others.
Every $400 raised means a season of sport for another child in need. For more information, go to kidsportvictoria.ca.
RCMP members honoured for community service
The Victoria Division of the RCMP Veterans’ Association recently held an awards presentation and luncheon to recognize three RCMP employees for their outstanding service to the community.
The association teamed up with the six local RCMP detachments: West Shore, Sidney/North Saanich, Salt Spring, Outer Gulf Islands, Sooke and the Island District Headquarters in Victoria to seek nominations for the Service Appreciation Award.
Sgt. Wayne Conley of Sidney/North Saanich Detachment, Const. Cynthia Gillis of Salt Spring Detachment, and Auxiliary Const. Don Devenney of West Shore Detachment were all were presented with appreciation scrolls and small gifts.
Veterans, serving RCMP members, civilians, volunteers, civic leaders, special guests and community sponsors gathered to honour the recipients. For more information, go to rcmpva.org.
Awards celebrate women in community
Members of the local community gathered recently to celebrate women for how they make their lives, not their livings.
They were presented with Unlimited Woman Awards, hosted by yoUnlimited, a women’s community-building organization.
The categories and winners include:
Adventure: Amy Cooper (West Shore)
Awesome Mom: Rebecca Kirstein (Oak Bay)
Community: Debra Barrlett (Sidney)
Creativity: Janet Walmsley (Vancouver)
Health and Wellness: Taryn Strong (James Bay)
Love and Friendship: Colleen Spier (Colwood)
Mentorship and Leadership: Lucy Price (Saanich)
New Beginnings: Dena Carroll (Saanich East)
Potential: Lily Cote and Ella Stanger (both Victoria)
Style: Teresa Lindsay (Saanich)
Wisdom: Flo-Elle Watsonn (Oak Bay)
Grace: Grace Thomas
Vision disorders linked to learning disabilities
Learn at an event tonight about a hidden epidemic of adults and children not diagnosed, or inaccurately diagnosed, with learning disabilities.
Experts on repairable binocular-vision disorders will speak on how inadequate vision screening is leading to an epidemic of children with learning problems.
The evening includes local singers, songwriters, poets and stand-up comedians who have donated their time and talent to support this cause.
The event is hosted by the Visual Process Society, a charity organization. Any donations will go toward a $7,000 local eye treatment for both nine-year old Tait Sharkey Jr. and Junie Swadron.
The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Church of Truth, 111 Superior St.
For more information, go to thevisualprocess.com.
