President Mandy Kwasnica called the meeting to order then identified Dave Morris to help guide the rest of the Rotarians and guests with singing O Canada and the recital of Rotary Grace. She then handed the meeting over to the Sarge. Mike Dudar was not present tonight. Lyle Miller took over the position to be Acting Sarge for the evening. He introduced our guest, Mia Dunn – Arthritis Society.

 

 

President Mandy had a few items to mention:

 

 

Jim Forestell advised that only 38 days remain until the opening of the District 5550 Conference. The organizing committee has been working hard to get all in order for the event. There is a committee meeting at Breezy Bend Tuesday night, March 25^th, 2019 at 7:00pm. We are looking for as many club members to attend the conference as possible. Also looking for anyone that has a contact with a musician that plays the bagpipes. Iain Scott advised that he may have a contact. Iain will advise further.

 

President Mandy stated that she is looking forward to the conference for all that it offers. Please attend the entire conference if you can. If not able, try for a single day. There is great programming planned.

 

M.U.N.A. May 9th – 12th 2019 The link for this event is www.winnipegmuna.ca .   High school students, with their counsellors, take on global citizenship as they model the United Nations Assembly at an event in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

Our lobster dinner is June 1, 2019. Tickets are available now. Please start approaching your regular ticket purchasers, friends, family, business acquaintances.  Nancy Morris advised all to sell, sell, sell lobster tickets. Also, please find auction prizes for the event. Bag auction as well as larger value silent auction items.

 

Glenda Werbowski has a new neighbour that has moved into the same residence as her. He has a long list of carpentry tools that he wishes to sell and donate the funds to Charleswood Rotary. If you are interested in purchasing the tools, please contact Glenda Werbowski. Tool Collection; 3 flat files, 1 keyhole saw, 1 pull scraper, 1 small metal saw, 1 socket set, 2 Robertson screw drivers, 3 blade screw drivers, 1 small needle nose pliers, 1 large needle nose pliers, 1 plumbers pliers, 1 side cutter pliers, 1 putty knife, 1 short Philips screw driver, 1 -30 foot tape measure (1 inch wide), 1 socket set for a drill, 1 set Allen wrenches, 1 set utility knives, 2 adjustable 3 inch clamps, 1 vice grip clamp, 1 block plane (7inch), 1 knife, 1 drill set (not complete), 1 back saw (12 inch), 1 sharp stone (8 inch), 1 speed bare bit, 1 glass cutter, 1 3/8 inch drill, 1 - 24” level, 1 carpenter’s pencil, 1 – 16 oz. claw hammer, assorted items in lid, 1 tool kit box (18 inches).

*** these items would represent many hundreds of dollars if purchased separately. ***

 

President Mandy gave a big ‘thanks’ to Martin and Eira for their work on the fantastic lobster dinner posters. They were unable to attend tonight but wanted to make sure that everyone received their proper poster. If you have an issue, please contact Martin Labossiere. President Mandy has placed the poster on her Facebook page and has been texting it out to people with the goal of selling more tickets.

 

Ed Thompson will be taking the lobster cooker out to Domain, MB for their lobster dinner on April 13, 2019 (Saturday). Usually just one cook around 7:00pm. Ed requires one or two people to assist him. Doug McKenzie has volunteered. Please consider helping by contacting Ed Thompson to volunteer.

 

Lorraine Forestell reported that Greg Fraser’s wife, Linda, has been admitted to Grace Hospital.

 

Alan Roberts advised that the Manitoba Orchid Society will be holding its spring show at Breezy Bend Golf Club on March 29^th, 30^th, 31^st (Friday, Saturday, Sunday).  The show hours are 9:00am until 4:30pm each day. They always put on a great show. Admission is $8 at the door; children under 14 free.

 

Alan Roberts announced the printing of the Assiniboine Forest Study has been completed. Only 7 copies exist.  Putting the final study together as a printable report represents 70 hours of Al’s time as well as 50 hours of Amanda Austin’s time. A copy will be delivered to the Manitoba Government and Charleswood Rotary Club will receive the promised funds of $24,500.00 in approximately 3 weeks. The funds will be paid out of the 2018 fiscal budget of the government. That is why the report was to be submitted prior to the end of March, 2019.

 

 

Nancy Morris introduced our speaker for the evening. Mia Dunn joined the Arthritis Society Prairie Region – Manitoba & Nunavut as the Fund Development manager in September 2017. Mia has made many presentations to raise awareness about arthritis and the Arthritis Society as part of her out reach to the community.

 

The Arthritis Society is a national health charity, fueled by donors and volunteers, with a vision to live in a world where people are free from the devastating effects that arthritis has on lives.

 

Mia initiated her presentation by thanking the club for the invite tonight. Mia advised that she would be providing information about the structure and work of the society including a new initiative, the inaugural Childhood Arthritis Society Summer Camp.

 

Vision:

To live in a world where people are free from the devastating effects that arthritis has on lives.

 

Mission:

To invest in cutting-edge research, proactive advocacy and innovative solutions that will deliver better health outcomes for people affected by arthritis.

 

 Purpose:

To embrace and empower the resilient spirit of people who live with arthritis, as we tirelessly pursue a future without it.

 

Arthritis is Canada’s largest chronic health condition and there is no cure. The disease affects the lives of over 6 million Canadians, that is 1 in 5.  Nearly half of people over 65 have arthritis. Manitoba is 1 in 4. The Arthritis Society began 70 years ago with one very clear goal; to alleviate the suffering of people crippled by arthritis. Founded in 1948, the society has raised and donated $200 million to research. This is the largest single funder of all the organizations involved in funding arthritis research in Canada except for the Federal Government.

 

Of the 6 million people with arthritis in Canada, 5 million have osteoarthritis and 1 million have inflammatory arthritis. There are ~100 different types of arthritis in these two main categories. Osteoarthritis involves joints and is progressive while Inflammatory Arthritis is based in immunology and affects the whole body. Pain is the commonality between the two main types.  There is a definite physical and mental side to arthritis. The Arthritis Society is here to help people manage this condition. It is estimated that by 2040 there will be 9 million people affected by arthritis in Canada. Most are female and any age can be involved. Most start having symptoms during their working age years. So there is a definite impact socially and financially. A report by the Arthritis Alliance of Canada estimated that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis costs the Canadian economy $33 billion last year in direct health-care costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity.

 

The Arthritis Society supports research. There is no cure, but research goes on to help find the best treatments and innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.  The society also acts as advocates for those living with arthritis. They act as a voice to ensure that the any future national pharma care program will keep coverage for arthritis patients.

 

Solutions are sought to help make the best possible quality of life available for arthritis patients. A backpack program for children aged 10 and under diagnosed with arthritis. The backpack is specially chosen to ease joint strain, and it contains arthritis-friendly resources designed to help children and their families, including a plush bear with a removable warming and cooling pack. There is also an online resource called MediKidz Online. This is a colourful resource comic book giving kids (and parents) access to medical information they can easily understand.

 

One solution is the Childhood Arthritis Camp that works to allow children with arthritis experience a normal life at a summer camp.

 

In Canada, there are 24,000 children under the age of 18 years old that live with arthritis. In Manitoba that number is 900 children. This is the inflammatory type that is extremely debilitating. A lot of the children spend a far amount of time in hospitals due to flares of the disease. This leads to classes missed at school. They need infusions, injections and parents just are not willing to let their children go to regular summer camps because of the care needed over time. It would also be economically difficult for these families to send a child to camp. The parents need to be comfortable with the staff running a summer camp, that they will be trained to look after the needs of their children while at the camp. This is why Camp Limitless will open in Manitoba this summer. There are 5 other similar camps across Canada already. Any child with a diagnosis of arthritis can go to this camp. The older children will be leaders at the camp to assist the younger children.

 

Upcoming events:

In-person includes networking with health professionals and service providers through a Resource Fair at the host and satellite sites, followed by lunch and local speakers. Seating for in-person events is limited so register early! https://arthritis.ca/get-involved/participate/find-an-event-near-you/events/educational-events/arthritis-talks/arthritis-talks-nourish-and-flourish .

 

Q/A

 

1.-Bob Antymniuk asked a question…..ABBA??

A. Yes???

 

2.- Is there a genetic component to inflammatory and osteoarthritis?

A.- Inflammatory arthritis, Yes there is a genetic component.

 

3.-Glenda Werbowski has arthritis, her grandfather had arthritis and her daughter has arthritis. What drug would you advise to use?

A.- Mia would not be able to give advice regarding treatment. Ask for a referral to a rheumatologist from your primary physician, if they are not able to take care of your pain issues. Primary care physicians do not get enough training in this area during med school.

 

4.- Jeff Kulilowsky asked if arthritis is an autoimmune disease?

A.- Inflammatory types are autoimmune diseases.

 

5.-Nancy Morris asked what type the children tend to get?

A.- Most common is inflammatory, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

 

6.- Iain Scott advised that there is a shortage of rheumatologists in the province. Is the Arthritis Society trying to correct this?

A.- Grants are given out to encourage study in rheumatology. Individual must be within 5 years of their first academic appointment and within 10 years of their most recent graduate or health professional degree (or equivalent, in a field such as medicine, dentistry, rehabilitation sciences, nursing, pharmaceutical studies, veterinary medicine, etc.) at the time of the application deadline. The grant will cover 3 years of study with the University signing on to provide coverage for the additional 3 years of study. 6 years of studies.  STARS https://arthritis.ca/researchers/research-programs-awards/current-funding-opportunities/stars-career-development-award .

Iain Scott advised that Dr. Shelly Turner, Gimli MB. will consult regarding CBD Oil and pain management.

 

7.- Roh Goenka asked, #1: how much research is the Arthritis Society supporting?

A.- In 2018-19, the Arthritis Society has committed over $4.5 million to arthritis research and the development of researchers and clinicians.

There are 76 programs across Canada.

 

Roh question #2:  What are childhood indicators of arthritis development?

A.- Mobility issues, redness and swelling of joints, Doctor tests such as blood work for inflammatory arthritis, X-rays for osteoarthritis.

 

8.- Ed Thompson wondered if past physical injury would make an individual more prone to the development of arthritis?

A.- Yes, it can precipitate the onset of osteoarthritis.

 

9.- Chuck Crocker asked if there was a viral component to the development of arthritis.

A.- Not sure of this, only research will tell over time.

Please remember, arthritis is not an old person’s disease. Most people develop symptoms during their working years. Thank you.

 

Lyle Miller was our Acting Sarge for the night. As usual, he had an eye and ear open for any non-conforming activities during the meeting. Acting Sarge Lyle asked for any H.B’s.

 

 

 

 

Acting Sarge Lyle asked our guest speaker, Mia, to pull the potential winning ticket. She pulled # 668 that matched the other half held by Lorraine Forestell. Lorraine had good odds for the win tonight. Showing no hesitation, she reached into the bag and produced the blue marble- a Win!