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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 24, 2007 - 21 Tuberculosis is a global concern Today, Saturday, March 24, is World TB Day. Halton Region is proud to once again support the Stop TB Partnership, which includes over 500 stakeholders including the World Health Organization, governments, industry, health care agencies, and humanitarians who are working together to help reduce the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and increase awareness that TB is preventable, treatable, and curable. "Tuberculosis continues to be a global public health concern, with almost nine million new cases of TB occurring yearly and nearly two million deaths each year," said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Region's Medical Officer of Health. "The incidence of TB in Ontario and Halton is much less, but still significant and requires comprehensive tuberculosis control programming. There are over "There are over 600 TB cases each year in Ontario, of which between six to ten cases occur annually in Halton." Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Medical Officer of Health 600 TB cases each year in Ontario, of which between six to ten cases occur annually in Halton". One key component of the Stop TB Partnership requires making DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Strategy) the worldwide standard of care for TB. This strategy is practiced in Halton and requires an individual who is trained in DOTS to watch the person receiving treatment take their medications. Individuals receiving treatment benefit from the support and encouragement to take their medication properly and completely. Since 1995, more than 22 million TB patients around the world have been treated under DOTS. Tuberculosis can affect almost any part of the body, however, TB disease of the lung is the most worrisome as the TB bacteria can be exhaled into the air during singing, coughing, sneezing, and breathing. People nearby can then breathe the bacteria into their lungs where the bacteria can either begin to grow (TB disease) or become dormant (TB infection). Symptoms of TB disease may include cough lasting three weeks or longer, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue and weakness. Individuals with these symptoms should see their healthcare provider. Anyone who has had close, frequent contact with someone who has TB disease is at high risk of TB infection. Individuals also at greater risk for TB infection include: those who have a medical condition that reduces the body's ability to fight infections such as HIV/AIDS, those who live in close and crowded conditions, in institutions or are homeless, the elderly, and those who come from countries with high rates of TB due to increased exposure to TB bacteria. Medications to treat or prevent TB are provided free of charge at local public health departments. For more information about TB and the Stop TB Partnership, contact Halton Region at 905825-6000, Toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), TTY 905827-90833 or visit www.halton.ca. You can make a difference in your community ! Join our Board of Directors and work with us to achieve OPCC's vision: to support, nurture and empower families, children and caregivers. The Oakville Parent-Child Centre is presently seeking new members for our Board of Directors. This skilled and creative leadership team recognizes that support and learning opportunities in the early years are critical to the development of healthy and productive young people. The OPCC is doing their part to ensure healthy outcomes for families and their children by offering a wide variety of programs and services. A key role of the Board of Directors is to determine the benefits that the organization will provide in the community, keeping a long term, strategic perspective. If you are looking for an opportunity to give back to the community, learn new skills and support a valued organization, joining our Board of Directors may be the opportunity for you. The term of office for new members of the Board will commence in June 2007. Applications from residents of the Halton community will be accepted until April 30,2007. For further information and an application form, please contact the Chair of our Nominating Committee guyhubert@cogeco.ca or our Executive Director at jsnidal@op-cc.ca The Centre is a registered charitable organization, that has provided programs and services for families since 1980. Our services are designed to support all families in their parenting role. We also offer early learning opportunities for children 0-6 years. Halton Family Services helping men get it right A new course is soon to start for helping men in relationships get it right. Whether men are married or single, they are all in some kind of relationship ­ be it as a son, a brother, a friend, a father or a husband. From time to time, these relationships can present unforeseen challenges, making it difficult to know how to overcome the problems. Men are somehow supposed to know how to do this well ­ only it often doesn't work out--especially with partners. While few men have ever taken any courses about how to improve their relationships with people near and dear, many can and do benefit from such `coaching'. This 10-week group is for men who are interested in improving their relationships or developing new healthy relationships. The group format is used to facilitate a confidential and secure environment where men can both be challenged and supported by peers to explore new ways of living in relationships. Topics covered will range from intimacy and conflict to trust and communication. If you have ever wondered how you could get some new ideas and strategies, this could help. This program is designed to help "Get It Right." The program dates are Thursday April 5, for 10 consecutive weeks, ending June 7. The time is 7:15-8:45 p.m. The fee is $250, payable upon start of program. Program location is Halton Family Services, 235 Lakeshore Rd., E. in Oakville. To register call 905-845-3811. Kidney disease seminar A free public seminar on Chronic Kidney Disease: Prevention and Management will be Wednesday, March 28. The seminar will take place in the Auditorium of OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital, 327 Reynolds St. Featured speaker is Dr. Daniel Sapir. Displays and refreshments at 6:30 p.m., speaker at 7 p.m. Reserve by calling 905-3384379. For more information about the topic call the Kidney Foundation of Canada at 4160373, ext. 241 or visit www.kidney.on.ca. OVERWEIGHT? A new investigational medication for weight loss is now availabl in clinical research studies. If you'd like to volunteer or simply for more information, please call an LMC Endocrinolog Centre near you to see if you ar eligible to partcipate. LMC OAKVILLE 905-337-0040 LMC TORONTO 416-789-9188 1-866-701-ENDO www.lmc.ca Ovarian cancer seminar: listen to the whispers A free public seminar on Ovarian Cancer: What You Should Know, Listen to the Whispers will be held Wednesday, April 4. It is one in a series of Living Healthy free public education seminars hosted by Halton Healthcare Services (HHS). The seminar will take place in the Auditorium of Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), 327 Reynolds St. Displays and refreshments at 6:30 p.m. Speaker at 7 p.m. Reserve a seat by calling 905-338-4379 or e-mail elittle@haltonhealthcare.c on.ca. For more information about the topic of ovarian cancer, call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca or call the National Ovarian Cancer Association at 1-877-4137970 or visit www.ovariancanada.org. CALL THESE PROFESSIONALS GALL & ASSOCIATES OPTOMETRISTS Our goal is clear comfortable vision. Comprehensive Eye Exams Laser Vision Care Contact Lenses & Glasses New Patients Welcome 247 North Service Rd. W. Suite 203 905-338-2020 Dr. Ronald Gall www.visionsource-drgall.com AT DORVAL DRIVE For more information on programs, parenting and services offered by the Centre please contact us at 905-849-6366 or visit our website at www.op-cc.ca