Community News Update - October 2018

Dear Community,

The battle with endometriosis has gone on long enough, it’s time for a path forward.

Yesterday, I stood alongside Leader Marit Stiles and Ontario endowarriors, speaking to the NEED for a comprehensive, public care strategy for ALL those suffering from endometriosis. Those who’ve missed work, life events, and are out thousands of dollars just to get the healthcare they, as human beings, DESERVE.

Please read the following quote from healthcare advocate, Bev Herscovitch:

“I strongly believe in public healthcare. We need to stop underfunding our healthcare system and direct resources more wisely. And to specifically fund treatment for endometriosis patients so we don’t have to wait years for consultations and surgeries. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. The entire government should work together to create a healthcare system that recognizes endometriosis as an urgent crisis. No one should have to fend for themselves because our elected representatives have failed us.”

THANK YOU Endometriosis Events, Bev, Michelle, and Kirsty for your leadership and advocacy. For you and the 1 in 10 people who menstruate who are needlessly suffering from this debilitating condition, too often in silence.

Read more in our press release!

Today is World Menopause Day! Please join me in recognizing the experiences, challenges and STRENGTH of individuals navigating menopause. Let us also recognize that for many women from marginalized communities, non-binary, and trans folks menopause is not experienced equally. People who experience menopause deserve EQUITABLE care and accommodations and this government must do MORE to catch up.

The wonderful volunteers at the Menopause Foundation of Canada published a new report titled Menopause and Work in Canada highlighting the challenges and barriers people who experience menopause face in the workplace. You can read the full report HERE.

Yesterday was Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day!

This day recognizes the vital work done by so many childcare workers and educators in our province. I want to take this opportunity to recognize their incomparable contributions to the lives of our children. Child care is life-changing for many families, but we need to make that possible for ALL. We need to recognize that contribution by expanding access and by building new programs. We also must do more to retain, re-attract, and recruit ECEs and childcare workers with decent work and fulfilling careers to lead these indispensable programs.

The AMAZING folks at Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard are running a VERY exciting virtual apple-tasting session. See below for event details from their team:

Mark your calendars! Our highly anticipated *4th Annual Virtual Apple Tasting Fundraiser* is just around the corner and this year, we're taking it to a whole new level!

🌟 This year we've curated a selection of apples, each with a distinct flavor profile, to help you hone your ability to taste and identify unique apple flavors.

📅 Event Date & Details:

Apple Collection: Saturday, November 4, 2023, between 9am and 11am at Wychwood Barns Market.
Live Zoom Apple Tasting: Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 7pm to 8.30pm.

🌟 If you want to participate you'll need to book your ticket now as we have a limited number of tickets available and this event sells out every year.

For just $20 (plus a small Eventbrite fee), you'll experience:

A unique chance to taste yet-to-be-released apple selections, courtesy of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. These apples are not available anywhere else!
Learn from Dr. Amy Bowen, the director of the Consumer, Sensory & Market Insights group at Vineland, as she guides us on how to expertly evaluate apples.
Gain insights from Rachael LeBlanc, apple breeder and research scientist at Vineland, on the intriguing process of developing new apple varieties.
The discussion will be moderated by Susan Poizner of OrchardPeople.com, and the coordinator of The Ben Nobleman Park Community Orchard.

🍏 Get Your Apples & Access:
With your ticket, you'll receive:

A bag with six exclusive apples. Remember to pick them up at the specified date and time!
An invitation to our live Zoom apple tasting session.

Reserve your spot today and dive into a world of apple flavors like never before:

🍎 CLICK TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE 🍎

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Drag Queen Gila Munster is hosting her 5th annual fundraiser and variety show: The 8 Gays of Channukah.

The event is raising funds for Machane Lev, a 2SLGBTQ+ Jewish summer camp and is an opportunity to showcase queer Jewish JOY at a time when both are challenged.

The event is taking place Sunday, December 17 from 7-9 PM.

Click here for tickets!

Over a span of four days in our city, there were seven preventable overdose deaths. Please let this be the sign you need to carry a Naloxone kit.

Each year across Ontario, thousands of lives are lost to overdoses. We need every level of government to prioritize implementing harm reduction strategies to combat these senseless deaths, and you can help.

As many of you know, Naloxone is a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, and these kits are FREE with training at participating pharmacies across the city. Together, we can prevent unnecessary deaths and work toward a more compassionate society that is safe safe for everyone.

Find a pharmacy with Naloxone kits near you, and make sure you can recognize the signs of an overdose.

In solidarity,

Dr. Jill Andrew