Health and wellness

For Elain Genser, canine companionship is an important part of her life. Genser holds up paintings she has done of her past pets. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Pet project: animal companionship important for B.C.’s older adults

Adopting, fostering, volunteering or sharing life with a senior pet can bring immense benefits

 

Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Devon Black won the Jack Layton Progress Prize for their work spearheading the AccessBC campaign, which successfully lobbied the provincial government to provide free prescription contraception.

Saanich councillor wins award in Ottawa for B.C.’s free contraception campaign

Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff and Devon Black won the Jack Layton Progress Prize award for AccessBC

  • Apr 16, 2024

 

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is honouring Brian Stanley (bottom right) and his spouse Penny Jones (second from left), seen here with their four children and two grandchildren, at this year’s IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Prince George on Sunday, May 26. Photo courtesy Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Prince George couple shares their dementia journey to help reduce stigma

Key Alzheimer Society of B.C. fundraiser in communities across B.C. on May 26

  • Apr 12, 2024

 

Victoria was 18 and going to university in Lviv when Russia invaded Ukraine. She was able to escape through Poland and make her way to British Columbia, where Foundry has offered many essential supports. Photo courtesy FoundryBC

Foundry charts pathways to a brighter future for youth from all walks of life

Foundry offers free, confidential wellness supports for youth ages 12 to 24 across B.C.

  • Apr 8, 2024
Victoria was 18 and going to university in Lviv when Russia invaded Ukraine. She was able to escape through Poland and make her way to British Columbia, where Foundry has offered many essential supports. Photo courtesy FoundryBC
The federal New Democratic Party is threatening to end a supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberal Party if the government doesn’t support legislation that would build the foundation to a universal pharmacare plan in Canada. (Stock photo)

‘Ball in the Liberals’ court’: federal NDP deal hangs in balance with Pharmacare

New Democrats threaten to end agreement with Liberals over universal pharmacare expectations

The federal New Democratic Party is threatening to end a supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberal Party if the government doesn’t support legislation that would build the foundation to a universal pharmacare plan in Canada. (Stock photo)
Art Harrison, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, is among the British Columbians sharing their stories during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Resilience shines in the face of dementia, inspires hope this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Having spent thirteen years in social services as a successful employment counsellor,…

  • Jan 8, 2024
Art Harrison, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, is among the British Columbians sharing their stories during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
Traditional Chinese medicine treatments often include acupuncture. A B.C. crash victim has won money from a driver to help pay for this. (Pexels photo)

B.C. crash victim sues for $60K to help pay for traditional Chinese medicine

Victim was rear-ended by another driver

Traditional Chinese medicine treatments often include acupuncture. A B.C. crash victim has won money from a driver to help pay for this. (Pexels photo)
Alistair MacGregor, MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, held a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 25 calling on the government to support his Private Members Bill C-277, the National Strategy on Brain Injuries Act. (Citizen file photo)

Survivors call for national strategy for people with brain injuries

B.C. woman who lost her husband speaks to the need as B.C. MP brings case to Ottawa via Bill C-277

Alistair MacGregor, MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, held a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 25 calling on the government to support his Private Members Bill C-277, the National Strategy on Brain Injuries Act. (Citizen file photo)
The AccessBC campaign for free prescription contraceptives started in Saanich in 2017. Six years later the motion passed. (Courtesy of AccessBC)

Grassroots group celebrates campaign that gave B.C. free contraception

A few friends complaining about expensive birth control turned into a provincial motion

The AccessBC campaign for free prescription contraceptives started in Saanich in 2017. Six years later the motion passed. (Courtesy of AccessBC)
Relatives of Maurice “Mo” Miller, Mary Miller-Duffy, his sister, center left, and Sue Duffy, her wife, embrace after seeing his body at NYU Langone Health in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. For a history-making 61 days and despite a brief rejection blip, a pig’s kidney worked normally inside his brain-dead body. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)

Pig kidney works a record 2 months in donated body, raising hope for animal-human transplants

Dozens of doctors and nurses silently lined the hospital hallway in tribute:…

Relatives of Maurice “Mo” Miller, Mary Miller-Duffy, his sister, center left, and Sue Duffy, her wife, embrace after seeing his body at NYU Langone Health in New York on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. For a history-making 61 days and despite a brief rejection blip, a pig’s kidney worked normally inside his brain-dead body. (AP Photo/Shelby Lum)
Suicide in teenagers is on the rise in Canada, and the magnitude of the problem is likely underestimated as some suicide deaths are counted as accidental. (stock photo)

B.C. pilot to use ketamine treatment for children facing suicidal thoughts

Dr. Quynh Doan is the senior executive director of B.C. Children’s Hospital Research Institute

Suicide in teenagers is on the rise in Canada, and the magnitude of the problem is likely underestimated as some suicide deaths are counted as accidental. (stock photo)
Principal Scientist Denise Cecil retrieves supplies while working at UW Medicine's Cancer Vaccine Institute Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Seattle. Vaccines under development at UW Medicine are designed to work for many patients, not just a single patient. Tests are underway in early and advanced breast cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer. Some results may come as soon as next year. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The next big advance in cancer treatment could be a vaccine

The next big advance in cancer treatment could be a vaccine. After…

Principal Scientist Denise Cecil retrieves supplies while working at UW Medicine's Cancer Vaccine Institute Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Seattle. Vaccines under development at UW Medicine are designed to work for many patients, not just a single patient. Tests are underway in early and advanced breast cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer. Some results may come as soon as next year. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
FILE - This Tuesday, April 3, 2018 file photo shows a closeup of a beam scale in New York. High-dose oral versions of the medication in the weight-loss drug Wegovy may work as well as injections at paring pounds and improving health, including hard-to-treat people with diabetes, according to research released Sunday, June 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)

No more needles? A daily pill may work as well as Wegovy shots to treat obesity

What if treating obesity could be as easy as popping an effective…

FILE - This Tuesday, April 3, 2018 file photo shows a closeup of a beam scale in New York. High-dose oral versions of the medication in the weight-loss drug Wegovy may work as well as injections at paring pounds and improving health, including hard-to-treat people with diabetes, according to research released Sunday, June 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File)
Photos of Mona Wang after a January 2020 wellness check and a still from surveillance footage of Const. Lacy Browning pushing her head into the ground with a boot. (Submitted)

Kelowna Mountie to be sentenced for assault stemming from UBCO wellness check

Lacy Browning was charged with assault after a 2020 arrest on UBC Okanagan campus

Photos of Mona Wang after a January 2020 wellness check and a still from surveillance footage of Const. Lacy Browning pushing her head into the ground with a boot. (Submitted)
Brandt Fralick portrait by Lia Crowe photography

Prime Time

Brandt Fralick’s rocky road to success

  • Jun 9, 2023
Brandt Fralick portrait by Lia Crowe photography
“Treatment strategies that can help lower post-meal glucose swings and rapid changes in glucose are crucial to managing this condition,” said researcher Dr. Barbara Oliveira (Omi Sido/Pixabay.com)

Low-carb breakfasts could be beneficial for managing Type-2 diabetes: B.C. study

Having a higher protein and fat breakfast can help manage blood sugar, the study says

“Treatment strategies that can help lower post-meal glucose swings and rapid changes in glucose are crucial to managing this condition,” said researcher Dr. Barbara Oliveira (Omi Sido/Pixabay.com)
Lorraine Jarvis cares for her husband John, who lives with Lewy Body dementia, and seeks practical advice from a support group for people caring for someone with the lesser-known form of dementia. Lorraine is being honoured at the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Delta.

Delta couple shares their story to help other British Columbians affected by dementia

Key Alzheimer Society of B.C. fundraiser in communities across the Lower Mainland on Sunday, May 28

  • May 1, 2023
Lorraine Jarvis cares for her husband John, who lives with Lewy Body dementia, and seeks practical advice from a support group for people caring for someone with the lesser-known form of dementia. Lorraine is being honoured at the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Delta.
This image provided by Mattel, Inc., Tuesday, April 25, 2023, shows its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome," the company said. (Mattel, Inc. via AP)

Mattel introduces first Barbie with Down syndrome

Toy company Mattel revealed its first Barbie doll representing a person with…

This image provided by Mattel, Inc., Tuesday, April 25, 2023, shows its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome," the company said. (Mattel, Inc. via AP)
The puppy yoga fundraiser takes place Thursday, May 18. (Karma Healing at Whonnock Lake/Special to The News)

Puppies to power Lower Mainland yoga fundraiser

Money raised to go to non-profit Power To Be

The puppy yoga fundraiser takes place Thursday, May 18. (Karma Healing at Whonnock Lake/Special to The News)
Kelly Gillies at her Sona Wellness. Photograph by Darren Hull

Secrets and Lives with Kelly Gillies

Loving working in a wellness space

  • Apr 10, 2023
Kelly Gillies at her Sona Wellness. Photograph by Darren Hull