Health and wellness

Duncan’s Kyle Mockford has struggled for the past 10 years with a serious brain injury after he was assaulted in Victoria. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

‘I want to shine a light’: Brain-injured B.C. man advocating to change lives

Duncan’s Kyle Mockford finally bouncing back after assault 10 years ago, lobbying for change

Duncan’s Kyle Mockford has struggled for the past 10 years with a serious brain injury after he was assaulted in Victoria. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Dr. Mehul Sharma (L) and Dr. Stuart Turvey (R) helped discover the variant in the STAT6 gene which causes severe allergies, including food and drug allergies, ezcema and more.

B.C. researchers lead global discovery of gene variant behind severe, life-altering allergies

A variant in the STAT6 gene causes allergies, including food and drug allergies, eczema and more

Dr. Mehul Sharma (L) and Dr. Stuart Turvey (R) helped discover the variant in the STAT6 gene which causes severe allergies, including food and drug allergies, ezcema and more.
FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Pfizer buys Seagen for $43B, boosts access to cancer drugs

Pfizer is spending about $43 billion to reach deeper into new cancer…

FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Mexico vows not to budge on US corn dispute

Mexico’s president vowed Tuesday not to back down in a dispute with…

(Black Press Media Creative)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS - At a WW GOOD wellness festival powered by Weight Watchers "WW" on the Santa Monica Pier on August 11, 2018, Los Angeles residents engage in a movement and meditation series ("LIFTED") led by Celebrity Fitness Instructor Holly Rilinger. WW International, better known as WeightWatchers, is buying telehealth platform Sequence, giving its members access to a program that offers prescriptions to obesity medications. Shares of WW International Inc. jumped nearly 12% before the market open on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. (Matt Sayles/AP Images for Weight Watchers)

WeightWatchers gets into prescription weight loss business

WeightWatchers soared Tuesday after the company said it was getting into the…

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS - At a WW GOOD wellness festival powered by Weight Watchers "WW" on the Santa Monica Pier on August 11, 2018, Los Angeles residents engage in a movement and meditation series ("LIFTED") led by Celebrity Fitness Instructor Holly Rilinger. WW International, better known as WeightWatchers, is buying telehealth platform Sequence, giving its members access to a program that offers prescriptions to obesity medications. Shares of WW International Inc. jumped nearly 12% before the market open on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. (Matt Sayles/AP Images for Weight Watchers)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Former Theranos exec seeks to avoid lengthy prison sentence

Former Theranos executive Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani returned to federal court Friday in…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Milk and Cookies for Canuck Place fundraising campaign lasts until March 31. (Canuck Place Children’s Hospice/Special to The News)

Buy a baked good, help a sick child at this year’s Canuck Place Children’s Hospice fundraiser

Several Lower Mainland bakeries involved in fundraising campaign, which lasts until March 31

Milk and Cookies for Canuck Place fundraising campaign lasts until March 31. (Canuck Place Children’s Hospice/Special to The News)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Celebs tout ice baths, but science on benefits is lukewarm

The coolest thing on social media these days may be celebrities and…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Dr. Derek Exner, a cardiologist and heart rhythm specialist with Alberta Health Services, holds an example of the miniaturized pacemaker against a model where it would be installed in a human heart at the University of Calgary medical centre in Calgary. Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

New miniaturized pacemaker a ‘game-changer’ amid testing in Calgary

‘It sits in the base of my heart and I don’t know that it’s there’

Dr. Derek Exner, a cardiologist and heart rhythm specialist with Alberta Health Services, holds an example of the miniaturized pacemaker against a model where it would be installed in a human heart at the University of Calgary medical centre in Calgary. Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News.

COLUMN: Unplugging before bed actually works? What a horrible discovery

No TV before bedtime? Thanks, I hate it.

Jessica Peters is a reporter at the Abbotsford News.
A B.C. woman who had to have her heart replaced is sharing her story to draw attention to the impact heart disease has on women in Canada. In this file photo a surgery is performed in the operating room in Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children on November 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

B.C. woman whose heart stopped at 19 looks to spread awareness to others

Heart disease and strokes are the leading cause of premature death for women, but few know it

A B.C. woman who had to have her heart replaced is sharing her story to draw attention to the impact heart disease has on women in Canada. In this file photo a surgery is performed in the operating room in Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children on November 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
A new UBC speaker series aims to answer questions around what people can do to live long, happy lives. (Credit: Pixabay/Pasja1000)

UBC promises to go beyond eating well and exercising in healthy aging speaker series

First lecture kicks off Jan. 23, with a discussion around daily stressors

A new UBC speaker series aims to answer questions around what people can do to live long, happy lives. (Credit: Pixabay/Pasja1000)
As we embark on 2023, it's important to make time for you. Self care is an important part of your overall health and provides you with time to relax, recharge and reflect. AdobeStock

Make 2023 the year for YOU!

From physical fitness to self-care for your mental wellness, here how to welcome a new year for you

  • Jan 11, 2023
As we embark on 2023, it's important to make time for you. Self care is an important part of your overall health and provides you with time to relax, recharge and reflect. AdobeStock
Stuart Westie has been tracking his fitness and environmental impact each year since 2011, and his efforts add up. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C. senior tracks his shrinking environmental impact for over a decade

Stuart Westie started monitoring physical activity for health, then pivoted to environmental reasons

Stuart Westie has been tracking his fitness and environmental impact each year since 2011, and his efforts add up. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Charlotte lives with chronic lung disease. Her wish was to go to her favourite theme park – a dream made true by Make-A-Wish Canada and generous donors when she was three-years-old.

‘Magic truly does exist:’ Creating lasting memories for children facing serious illness

Thanks to generous donors, Make-A-Wish Canada granted nearly 1,000 life-changing wishes last year

  • Dec 5, 2022
Charlotte lives with chronic lung disease. Her wish was to go to her favourite theme park – a dream made true by Make-A-Wish Canada and generous donors when she was three-years-old.
cə̓q̓cq̓am (Thunder) Ryan Oliverius of Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and Shayla Raine, a nehiyaw iskwew from Louis Bull Tribe, have created a docu-series together called Decolonizing Wellness. (Submitted photo)

B.C. documentary series explores couple’s journey to decolonize wellness

Couple experiments with cutting out phones and TV, meditating in nature and making hand drums

  • Dec 1, 2022
cə̓q̓cq̓am (Thunder) Ryan Oliverius of Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and Shayla Raine, a nehiyaw iskwew from Louis Bull Tribe, have created a docu-series together called Decolonizing Wellness. (Submitted photo)
Festival of Trees, a beloved holiday tradition that gathers support for BC Children’s Hospital, returns to The Bay Centre in Victoria from Nov. 17 to Jan. 3.

Visit your local Festival of Trees + brighten the holidays for BC kids

Create beautiful family memories at BC Children’s Hospital’s annual holiday fundraiser

  • Nov 18, 2022
Festival of Trees, a beloved holiday tradition that gathers support for BC Children’s Hospital, returns to The Bay Centre in Victoria from Nov. 17 to Jan. 3.
Festival of Trees, a beloved holiday tradition that gathers support for BC Children’s Hospital, is back for another year. Celebrating its 31st year, the festival is being held at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1.

Visit your local Festival of Trees + brighten the holidays for BC kids

Create beautiful family memories at BC Children’s Hospital’s annual holiday fundraiser

  • Nov 18, 2022
Festival of Trees, a beloved holiday tradition that gathers support for BC Children’s Hospital, is back for another year. Celebrating its 31st year, the festival is being held at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1.
Maureen Kennah-Hafstein

Tenacious B.C. advocate for people with Parkinson’s leaves message of gratitude

Shuswap resident Maureen Kennah-Hafstein died on Nov. 2, 2022

Maureen Kennah-Hafstein
(Black Press Media Creative)

Dementia affects, 1 in 10 over 65, new study finds

The study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University. It was published…

(Black Press Media Creative)