COVID-19: An additional contribution to the testing landscape in Canada
Roche's Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test authorized under Health Canada's Interim Order making it available to Canadian laboratories, healthcare professionals and patients.
LAVAL, QC, June 9, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The new Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test now available in Canada is designed to help determine if a patient has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and if the patient has developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
The high specificity of this test is crucial to determine reliably if a patient has developed antibodies related to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
This serology test has a specificity greater than 99.8% and sensitivity of 99.5% (14 days post-PCR confirmation).
The Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test has the largest clinical studies program with 10,453 samples tested.
The fully automated test offers a quick turnaround time and is available on all Roche's high throughput cobas e analyzers which are widely available across Canada.
Roche's extensive global manufacturing capabilities provide tests in the high double-digit millions since last May.
The tests which are manufactured in Germany and shipped directly to Canada will make a significant contribution in the country.
''We have worked closely with the regulatory authorities to accelerate access to the SARS-CoV-2 serology test in Canada. Laboratory tests are critical to support the Canadian healthcare system in the fight against COVID-19.'' said Andrew Plank, President and General Manager, Roche Diagnostics, division of Hoffmann-La Roche Limited. '' I am proud of the high specificity and sensitivity of the new Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, which is critically important and brings a reliable tool to better manage the COVID-19 health crisis.''
Mr. Plank added that with this announcement, Roche invites interested parties to participate in its Seroprevalence Study Program where several opportunities can be offered to those who qualify for the program.
Public Health, hospital and private laboratories will be able to run the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test on Roche's cobas e analyzers, which are already widely available across Canada, and in each province. These fully automated systems can provide Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test results in approximately 18 minutes, with a test throughput of up to 300 tests/hour, depending on the analyzer.
The Roche's Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test covers a wider span of the immune response against this virus from early on with IgM production to later with IgG with a detection design optimized to bind high affinity antibodies. It has a specificity greater than 99.8% and 99.5% sensitivity1 (14 Days post-PCR confirmation), which can help assess patients' immune response to the virus. Also, the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test has the largest clinical studies program with 10,453 samples tested2. As more is understood about immunity to SARS-CoV-2, this test may help to assess who has potentially developed immunity to the virus.
About Roche's contribution to the fight against COVID-19 in Canada We are fully committed to further support Canada's fight against COVID-19 with the launch of this new serology test. This test is a complement to our existing molecular cobas® SARS-CoV-2 test, authorized under Health Canada's Interim Order, which detects the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 with our automated, high-throughput cobas 6800/8800 platforms. We also supply other SARS-CoV-2 test solutions that are made available for lower volume testing on the MagNA Pure and LightCycler systems (Research Use Only) and we continue to work on expanding our portfolio of COVID-19 test solutions.
Patterns of typical abnormalities in routine laboratory testing have been identified in case series of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which have been associated with poor clinical outcomes. Through our broad clinical biochemistry menu, we provide biomarkers such as D-Dimer, glucose, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP). These biomarkers can help clinicians decide when more aggressive critical care support must be considered or on the contrary when stepping down of treatment may be an appropriate course of action.
In addition to testing, creative ideas have emerged with the collaboration of the community and industry partners. With the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge, we called the innovative minds in Canada to bring forward solutions to address the crisis, and with the support of the SCALE AI Supercluster, we are working with IVADO Labs on optimizing the distribution of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 with an AI-powered allocation optimization tool. We also believe that an important way in which we can win this fight is through the sharing of knowledge and healthcare data to better inform patient care and health system decision making. With the Roche Data Science Coalition, we aim to bring actionable COVID-19 intelligence to patients, frontline healthcare providers, institutions, supply chains, and governments.
With a majority of medical decisions being based on lab results, the importance of diagnostics testing within the healthcare system that exists under normal circumstances has been further reinforced during the pandemic.
It has also generated better collaboration between the private and public healthcare stakeholders and a faster adoption of new technologies for the benefit of the patient.
About antibody testing An antibody test, also called a serology test, is used to determine whether a person might have gained immunity against a pathogen or not. The human body makes antibodies in response to many illnesses. In the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, antibody tests need to be able to specifically detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 with no cross-reactivity to other similar coronaviruses, which could generate a false positive result and thus wrongly indicate potential immunity. A false positive result happens when a person receives a positive test result, when they should have received a negative result. False positives are particularly critical when we do not know how many people in a given population have been exposed to the virus. As of 24 April 2020, no study has evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to subsequent infection by this virus in humans3.
About Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test4 Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 is an immunoassay for the in-vitro qualitative detection of antibodies (including IgG) to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in human serum and plasma. Through a blood sample, the test, which is based on an in-solution double-antigen sandwich format, can detect antibodies to the new coronavirus causing COVID-19, which could signal whether a person has already been infected and potentially developed immunity to the virus. Based on the measurement of a total of 10,453 samples, the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay has 99.80% specificity and shows no cross-reactivity to the four human coronaviruses causing common cold. This means it can lower the chance of false positives due to the detection of similar antibodies that may be present in an individual, but are specific for coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2. Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 detected antibodies with 99.5% sensitivity in samples taken 14 days after a PCR-confirmed infection. The importance of specificity and sensitivity of a particular test will be dependent on its purpose and disease prevalence within a given population.
About Roche Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible. Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the eleventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognized as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2019 employed about 98,000 people worldwide. In 2019, Roche invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 61.5 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
References
[1]
Full specifications of Roche's Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test and immunoassay systems, including throughput, can be found on our diagnostics.roche website
[2]
For more information, please refer to Package insert of Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2
For more information, please refer to Package insert of Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2
SOURCE Roche Diagnostics
Smart.Vet joins forces with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin to bring virtual care to Canadian veterinary hospitals
Thanks to a combined partnership between all three companies, a 50% discount off the base subscription price will be offered to all Canadian veterinary hospitals for a period of 60 days.
BURLINGTON, ON, June 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Smart.Vet announced today that they are partnering with Merck Animal Health and ROYAL CANIN®. This relationship will allow Smart.Vet to offer their virtual care platform to veterinary clinics at 50% of the regular cost for 2 months. Both Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin are dedicated to assisting veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, companies from the veterinary industry need to combine their efforts in order to better assist veterinarians, said Marylin Merit, Associate Marketing Director at Merck Animal Health Canada. That's why we have decided to work together with Royal Canin towards a common goal: facilitate clinic and pet owner access to a virtual care platform, thereby maintaining the level of care that pets deserve."
"What's particularly exciting," said David Brooks, Veterinary Marketing Director at Royal Canin Canada, "is that this technology makes it very simple for veterinary team members to stay connected with their patients. And it opens up all kinds of new opportunities such as feline medicine, nutrition or weight-loss consultations and follow-ups."
Together, Merck Animal Health, Royal Canin, and Smart.Vet Offer:
A world-class virtual care solution that allows veterinary clinics to schedule, perform, and accept payment for telehealth consultations.The Smart.Vet platform equips clinics with a fully clinic branded web application that includes online scheduling (directed by clinics and clients), communication (video, phone, and message) between veterinary staff and pet owners, and built-in eCommerce.
50% off Platform Base Subscription Price allows a clinic to join for only $49/month for the first 2 months. There are no implementation or consultation fees. This applies to all existing and new clinics paying the standard rate.
3 Virtual Care Webinars with industry professionals discussing the future of telehealth, it's implications for the industry and the benefits of a formal platform. Each session will conclude with a Q & A with our panelists. To register for a webinar, please see below.
"Our relationships with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin constitute a major milestone in Smart.Vet's evolution as a worldwide virtual care provider for veterinary clinics", said Dr. Sharon Quinn, co-founder of Smart.Vet. "Partnering with Royal Canin and Merck Animal Health brings technology, pharmaceuticals, and pet nutrition into a single collaborative unit. Part of our mission moving forward is to work together on developing new innovative methods of delivering virtual care for pets that include nutrition and pharmaceuticals."
The collaboration between Smart.Vet, Merck AH, and Royal Canin will enable hundreds of clinics to provide virtual care to their clients at a reduced cost. This will allow most clinics to begin to achieve ROI using their Smart.Vet Online Health Centres after performing just one consultation.
The Smart.Vet platform has enabled clinics to perform over 10,000 telehealth consultations since April 1st and has client clinics in Canada, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.
Smart.Vet joins forces with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin to bring virtual care to Canadian veterinary hospitals
Thanks to a combined partnership between all three companies, a 50% discount off the base subscription price will be offered to all Canadian veterinary hospitals for a period of 60 days.
BURLINGTON, ON, June 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Smart.Vet announced today that they are partnering with Merck Animal Health and ROYAL CANIN®. This relationship will allow Smart.Vet to offer their virtual care platform to veterinary clinics at 50% of the regular cost for 2 months. Both Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin are dedicated to assisting veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, companies from the veterinary industry need to combine their efforts in order to better assist veterinarians, said Marylin Merit, Associate Marketing Director at Merck Animal Health Canada. That's why we have decided to work together with Royal Canin towards a common goal: facilitate clinic and pet owner access to a virtual care platform, thereby maintaining the level of care that pets deserve."
"What's particularly exciting," said David Brooks, Veterinary Marketing Director at Royal Canin Canada, "is that this technology makes it very simple for veterinary team members to stay connected with their patients. And it opens up all kinds of new opportunities such as feline medicine, nutrition or weight-loss consultations and follow-ups."
Together, Merck Animal Health, Royal Canin, and Smart.Vet Offer:
A world-class virtual care solution that allows veterinary clinics to schedule, perform, and accept payment for telehealth consultations.The Smart.Vet platform equips clinics with a fully clinic branded web application that includes online scheduling (directed by clinics and clients), communication (video, phone, and message) between veterinary staff and pet owners, and built-in eCommerce.
50% off Platform Base Subscription Price allows a clinic to join for only $49/month for the first 2 months. There are no implementation or consultation fees. This applies to all existing and new clinics paying the standard rate.
3 Virtual Care Webinars with industry professionals discussing the future of telehealth, it's implications for the industry and the benefits of a formal platform. Each session will conclude with a Q & A with our panelists. To register for a webinar, please see below.
"Our relationships with Merck Animal Health and Royal Canin constitute a major milestone in Smart.Vet's evolution as a worldwide virtual care provider for veterinary clinics", said Dr. Sharon Quinn, co-founder of Smart.Vet. "Partnering with Royal Canin and Merck Animal Health brings technology, pharmaceuticals, and pet nutrition into a single collaborative unit. Part of our mission moving forward is to work together on developing new innovative methods of delivering virtual care for pets that include nutrition and pharmaceuticals."
The collaboration between Smart.Vet, Merck AH, and Royal Canin will enable hundreds of clinics to provide virtual care to their clients at a reduced cost. This will allow most clinics to begin to achieve ROI using their Smart.Vet Online Health Centres after performing just one consultation.
The Smart.Vet platform has enabled clinics to perform over 10,000 telehealth consultations since April 1st and has client clinics in Canada, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Australia.
FACIT recognized with 2020 Venture Capital Regional Impact Award by the Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA)
Award acknowledges FACIT's commercialization impact in growing Ontario's life sciences industry
TORONTO, June 9, 2020 /CNW/ - FACIT, a commercialization venture firm, has been nationally recognized with CVCA's 2020 Venture Capital Regional Impact Award for Ontario. The CVCA helps to set the foundation for greater collaboration, innovation, growth and market intelligence for Canadian private capital professionals. The Venture Capital Regional Impact Award celebrates firms whose investments have positioned portfolio companies to make a meaningful mark within both their community as well as the broader niche sector. The award competition considers the most impactful private equity organizations across all sectors including IT, AgTech, Healthcare, and CleanTech.
FACIT's award was specifically related to the 2019 historic US$1B partnership between its portfolio companies, Propellon Therapeutics ("Propellon") and Triphase Accelerator ("Triphase"), and US pharma giant Celgene (acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company). The partnership represents one of the largest oncology licensing transactions for a preclinical asset in Canadian history, and the largest biotech asset transaction worldwide for academia. Moreover, this deal helped to solidify a "made in Ontario" development pathway for commercialization of oncology innovations, as the asset at the heart of the transaction originated from FACIT's strategic partner, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR). FACIT's strategic seed investment of $3M was critical in putting Ontario intellectual property (IP) in a position of strength to negotiate a transaction with maximum regional impact. The collaboration with Triphase anchors R&D jobs, clinical trials and industrial development in Ontario, benefiting both the economy and patients.
Through financial support from Ontario's Ministry of Colleges and Universities, FACIT has a mandate to translate Ontario's most promising cancer innovations and maximize the value of the province's investment in research and healthcare. With a portfolio that has attracted over $850 million in investment to Ontario, FACIT is actively building companies with entrepreneurs to accelerate healthcare innovation and retain IP value, jobs and industrial development in Canada. Its success in locally commercializing medical technology, health IT, imaging, and therapeutics is a direct result of the integration of outstanding science, Ontario First seed capital, and industry experience into a novel commercialization venture model. Not only have FACIT-supported ventures attracted remarkable life science financings, but every dollar invested by FACIT has attracted $20 dollars of private equity to the province.
"We are proud of the team's work to help demonstrate the value of seed-stage investing in the commercialization of Propellon and Triphase, and we thank CVCA for this honour and recognition by our industry peers," said Dr. David O'Neill, President of FACIT. "The rapid growth of our portfolio demonstrates the power of biotechnology to capitalize on Ontario's world-class cancer science, compete in the innovation economy and make a difference in the fight against cancer."
"This is a great achievement and recognition that FACIT is successfully driving significant benefits to the Ontario innovation economy, building on the research strength of OICR," said Dr. Laszlo Radvanyi, President and Scientific Director of OICR.
"Congratulations to FACIT on receiving the CVCA award for their leadership in Ontario's commercialization sector," said the Honourable Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities. "FACIT has made smart and strategic investments in Ontario's rapidly developing biotech sector. The firm is an important partner in ensuring that the province's intellectual property is captured, both for the local economy and patients living with cancer."
About FACIT FACIT is a commercialization venture firm that builds companies with entrepreneurs to accelerate oncology innovation, with a portfolio that has attracted over $850 million in investment to Ontario. Blending industry experience, capital and the unsurpassed clinician-scientist network of its strategic partner the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), FACIT capitalizes on the province's investment in research and healthcare to the benefit of the local economy and patients worldwide. FACIT's commercialization portfolio includes Turnstone Biologics, Fusion Pharmaceuticals, Triphase Accelerator and other biotechnology organizations. Cancer Breakthroughs. Realized. facit.ca.
SOURCE FACIT Inc.
A CARDIAC SURGEON’S LIFE STORY SETS THE STAGE FORAN INSPIRATIONAL GUIDE TO UNLEASHING PEOPLE’S FULL POTENTIALIn HEART TO BEAT
, Dr. Brian Lima Challenges Readers To Strive For Greatness And Never Settle For Second Best College, medical school, and then ten years of grueling surgical training, that’s what it took for Brian Lima to become a leading heart transplant surgeon – literally able to breathe new life into critical ill patients. Not only has Lima never shied away from a challenge, he has spent his life actively seeking them in pursuit of seemingly near-impossible goals. In his insightful new book, HEART TO BEAT: A Cardiac Surgeon’s Inspiring Story of Success and Overcoming Adversity—The Heart Way (Clovercroft Publishing/February 18, 2020), Dr. Lima shares his story, giving everyone – not just aspiring physicians – the tools and encouragement needed to be their best selves.“We all have free will, and we all have a choice,” he writes. “You can choose to live aimlessly, halfheartedly going with the flow and suppressing that inner voice, the one beckoning you to unleash your full potential and to grab the world by storm. Or you can achieve success by committing to hard work and unceasing effort.”In HEART TO BEAT, Dr. Lima candidly shares, often with a wry sense of humor, how this approach enabled him to reach the pinnacle of success in all of his undertakings – whether it was building the strength and skill to become a varsity football player, becoming valedictorian of his high school class, earning a scholarship to Cornell University, or winning coveted residency opportunities as he trained to become a heart surgeon.“You don’t have to be the smartest or most talented person in the room to get ahead, just the one who wants it the most,” he writes. Indeed, Dr. Lima credits his own achievements purely to his intense effort. In his eminently readable, down-to-earth book, he breaks down the keys to advancing beyond your comfort zone and perceived limitations to unleash your full potential. Dr. Lima’s powerful lessons include:Heart Over Matter – “You, and you alone, are responsible for how much or how little you achieve in this life,” he writes. Only when you realize that you are master of your own destiny, and refuse to allow insecurities, past experiences, and fears to limit your potential, will you realize your dreams.Heart Of War – Complacency is your biggest adversary. You must never cease working and bettering yourself – if you do, you will surely slide off the top of your game. “The minute you rest on your laurels and kick your feet up, you’ve settled for defeat,” says Dr. Lima.Kickstart My Heart – Dr. Lima explains that the “propulsive power of ambition” has been one of the most impactful forces of his life. “Your eagerness to move ahead contributes more to your success than natural talent or being born with a silver spoon.” Ambition is what enables people to overcome the primary hurdle to success: self-doubt.Till Death With My Heart – If something is truly your calling – meaningful, bigger than you, and well-intended – it is likely not going to be easy to achieve, says Dr. Lima. For him, the rule must be “it’s all in or no win.” Being “well-rounded” is incompatible with true excellence, he contends.Not For the Faint of Heart – Fear of failure can disrupt the pursuit of any goal, and overcoming this fear is a monumental task that requires you to meet it head-on again and again, until you’re desensitized to its paralyzing influence. Dr. Lima urges readers to see every moment as just that – a moment – whether they’re going for a buzzer beater in basketball or performing heart surgery. This is what gives people the courage to take their shot at every opportunity.The Heart Sell on Entrepreneurship – “One way or another, you have to get the word out about how great your ‘brand’ is – in other words, how great you are,” says Dr. Lima, contending that the sales mantra “always be closing” is critical to success. He points to such key fundamentals as avoiding pigeonholes and being open to opportunities; never second-guessing yourself; continuing to invest in yourself; and using your time wisely.In addition to the author’s compelling personal story, HEART TO BEAT also includes a fascinating look at the current technologies and medical care available to treat heart disease, along with the basics about living a heart-healthy life – straight from the mouth of one of the country’s leading heart transplant surgeons.“There are those who choose to chase victory and to live life on their own terms, and there are those who don’t,” declares Dr. Lima. HEART TO BEAT will help you choose the path to victory, giving you the motivation you need to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.# # #ABOUT THE AUTHORDr. Brian Lima is a cardiac surgeon, associate professor of surgery, and recognized authority in advanced heart failure. He has published nearly 80 articles in peer-reviewed medical journals and presented at numerous national and international medical conferences. As the surgical director of heart transplantation at North Shore University Hospital, Dr. Lima helped launch the first and only heart transplant program on Long Island. Dr. Lima completed his undergraduate studies at Cornell University and was awarded a Dean’s Full Tuition scholarship to attend Duke University School of Medicine. During medical school, Dr. Lima spent a year at Harvard Medical School’s Transplantation Biology Research Center as a Stanley Sarnoff cardiovascular research fellow. He then completed his general surgery residency training at Duke University Medical Center, and subsequent heart surgery training at The Cleveland Clinic, where he was awarded the prestigious Dr. Charles H. Bryan Annual Clinical Excellence Award in Cardiovascular Surgery
Both Feet on the Ground Shares Profoundly Therapeutic Benefits Of Immersion In The Natural World
Denver, CO, June 9, 2020 — You’re stressed out, tired of looking at the same four walls, drained by the negativity on social media, and exhausted from juggling work with homeschooling and entertaining your kids. No matter your age, location, or financial standing, there is a simple, effective therapy that is abundantly available, and it’s right outside your door.
“Get out and stay out—as often and for as long as you can,” champions Marshall Ulrich in his latest release, Both Feet on the Ground: Reflections from the Outside.
Ulrich, an ultrarunner who has also scaled the Seven Summits and competed in multi-day adventure races,shares stories of his expeditions in such far-flung places as Borneo, Tibet, and South Africa, as well as his lifelong commitment to farming his land in Colorado. Ulrich has climbed Mount Everest, run through the searing heat of the Gobi Desert, and ridden the huge waves off Morocco. But there’s no need to be an extreme athlete to reap the benefits of forming physical connections with the natural world.
Ulrich urges readers to simply unplug, plant their feet firmly in the earth, fill their lungs with clean air, and dream of bold and personally compelling outdoor adventures.
“Your adventures in natural places—even if, for now, it’s just sitting outside or walking around your neighborhood—can put you back in touch with who you are; how resilient, resourceful and hardy you can be,” Ulrich says.
Throughout Both Feet on the Ground, Ulrich shares valuable insights from his endeavors, along with useful findings and recommendations from other experts, all organized around themes of earth, air, fire and water. His hope is that you’ll be inspired to find new ways of engaging with these natural elements yourself to experience the healing powers of the outside world.
Author Marshall Ulrich is an extreme endurance athlete—ultrarunning icon, Seven Summits mountaineer, and adventure racer—who loves sharing his exploits to entertain and help motivate others to reach their goals. He’s raced, led expeditions, or climbed mountains in nearly 30 countries, and visited 30 more, so his stories are about more than just physical accomplishments. Cutting his teeth running across Death Valley, he’s also climbed Mount Everest, run in the jungles of Fiji, and completed a record-setting run across America. Dubbed the Endurance King, he defies the ideas of “too far,” “too old” and “not possible.” Revered among athletes, Marshall is also the author of Running on Empty. An acclaimed speaker, he’s lectured on various elite cruise lines, and given talks at businesses, schools, race expos, and professional conferences, including the Royal Geographic Society, Morgan Stanley, and Wilderness Medicine.
Working Toward a Race? How to Ease Into Starting a Running Schedule
Completing a running race, whether it is a 5k or a full marathon, is an accomplishment that should always be celebrated. Running is very rewarding, both physically and mentally. However, it also requires a great deal of patience and determination. If you have been injured and went to an ankle & foot clinic to get healed, or if you just have not regularly gone on runs in recent months, fear not. There is no rush in getting back into the groove of being in shape so that you can compete in a road race in the coming months.
Picking a Race and Date to Work Towards
The length of the race you want to run in is dependent on how long your training schedule should be. It is recommended that you start with a shorter race, such as a 5k or 10k, before jumping into anything longer. Once you have your date sought out, keep it marked, so that you can motivate yourself to work towards your goals each day as you approach race day.
Weekly Mileage and Pace
In terms of weekly mileage, start out small and progress as you increase your endurance each week. If you have not consistently run for the past few months, you should only strive for about 10-12 miles in three separate runs per week for the first couple weeks. Remember, your joints have not been used to running in a while, so it is important to ease into your return to prevent injury. Your pace can also go from conversational to slightly faster each week as your mileage slowly increases.
Impact of Cross-Training and Tracking Your Runs
Cross-training is also suggested to sustain an injury-free body and to build strength on the days in which you are not running. Keeping track of your distances and times for each run is also important and proves to be a motivating factor in improving your pace. Make it a habit that you run a few times each week, so that you can stick to your schedule and remain engaged in easing back into running as you set personal goals.
Run with a Smile
The most important factor to consider while you train and ease yourself into a running schedule to prepare for a race is maintaining a positive attitude. Running is frustrating, and it cannot be perfected overnight. Trust your process, and just know that each run you complete benefits you, no matter how long or how fast. Before you know it, you will have worked yourself into great shape in perfect time for race day.
Johnson & Johnson partnership to support frontline health workers in Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East in fight against COVID-19
In response to COVID-19 pandemic Johnson & Johnson have formed a new partnership with The World Continuing Education Alliance, The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery East Africa and the International Council of Nurses to support frontline health workers.
The result of this collaboration is the development of a focused training program that will be delivered via mobile app and aims to reach 600,000 nurses and midwives in Sub Saharan Africa and the Middle East.
The Aga Khan University (AKU) has established a certifiable COVID-19 Curriculum with 6 modules adapted from WHO training
The International Council of Nurses has supported through their collaboration with Nurses Associations, Nursing Councils and Ministries of Health
The World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA) is bringing this knowledge to scale thanks to its virtual platform and mobile based training capacity.
Johnson and Johnson is funding the roll out across 10 priority countries in Sub-Saharan Africa namely: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal. A roll out to Egypt, Jordan and other countries in the Middle East is yet to be confirmed
“One critical part of our response to COVID-19 is strengthening health systems by supporting and championing the people on the front lines who are at the heart of delivering care. Never has this ambition been more important than it is now as we face the biggest healthcare crisis in our lifetime” said Luis Diaz-Rubio, Managing Director, Janssen Emerging Markets, and a Board Member of the Johnson & Johnson Foundation (Scotland). ‘The partnership announced today will allow us to share more knowledge quickly and efficiently to many more frontline health workers which in turn will not only lead to better outcomes in the long run, but will help us beat this disease together’
The content developed for the app is open source and is currently available in English, Arabic and French. As well as enabling the program to reach a huge number of front-line workers the app will also encourage information sharing, creating effective and quick feedback channels which will in turn provide greater insight into the training needs and experience of those on the frontline in these countries.
“In response to COVID-19, with the aid of the Johnson & Johnson Foundation and our valuable training partners, The Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery East Africa, we are able to supply training resources to many more nurses, midwives and medical workers to assist in defeating the pandemic.” commented Craig Fitzpatrick, EMEA Director at the WCEA.
“Preparedness of nurses and midwives who are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19 is critical to successfully dealing with the pandemic,” said Dr. Eunice Ndirangu, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), Aga Khan University. Through the use of online and a mobile app, SONAM in partnership with Johnson and Johnson and WCEA is able to ensure access to nurses and midwives, even those in rural and hard to reach areas.”
“Ensuring nurses have the most up to date information, training and guidance on COVID-19 is a priority for ICN. We have a number of free resources, including the WCEA platform, available on our COVID-19 portal. This mobile app will be a helpful addition for nurses to ensure they are better prepared as the fight this pandemic.” Howard Catton, CEO, International Council of Nurses.
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About Johnson and Johnson: The Johnson & Johnson Center for Health Worker Innovation was founded to catalyze efforts to respond to the human resource crisis in global health and build a thriving health workforce. Leveraging a people-first model, the Center focuses on equipping nurses, midwives and community health workers across the globe with the skills, resources and support they need to improve quality of care and strengthen primary and community-based health systems.
About The World Continuing Education Alliance (WCEA): The WCEA works in partnership with the World Medical Association, the International Council of Nurses and other key collaboration partners focusing on supporting healthcare organizations to provide their frontline health workers access to education through online systems and mobile technology. In doing so, we work with respected educators to make their content available around the world.
About AKU: The Aga Khan University empowers the people of the developing world with the knowledge and skills to realize their highest goals. We provide a transformative education that prepares our graduates for local and global leadership. We generate solutions to problems that affect millions of people through pioneering research. We strive to achieve world-class excellence, inspiring individuals and institutions to meet the highest standards. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, we serve the disadvantaged and work where the need is greatest. Together with our partners, AKU builds bridges across borders and boundaries of all kinds, recognizing that humanity’s diversity is one of its greatest assets.
About the International Council of Nurses (ICN): The ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nurses’ associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.
At June 20th Poor People’s Campaign digital mass assembly, people from more than 40 states suffering from poverty, COVID-19 & police brutality to tell their stories & demand moral agenda
streaming/broadcasting available in all formats
Poor and low-income people of every race, creed, color and sexuality from more than 40 states will demand change as they share stories of struggling through poverty and protests for racial justice at a historic digital assembly and march sponsored by The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Hundreds of mobilizing partners — including 14 national unions, 16 national religious denominations and dozens civil rights organizations — will join the campaign for the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington.
The assembly and march will be aired at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, June 20, and at 6 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, June 21. It can be viewed at june2020.org, and MSNBC will livestream the entire event, as will other local and national media.
“When we began organizing the poor people’s assembly and march two years ago, we knew 140 million people -- 43% of the nation were poor or low-income and that 700 people died each day -- or 250,000 a year -- from poverty,” said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, president of Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign.
“We knew racist voter suppression was blocking voters from casting their ballot and blocking progressive policy decisions. We knew over 80 million people were uninsured or underinsured and millions were homeless and without clean water. And we knew that we had a war economy with a gross and unnecessary budget. We knew all of these realities are morally indefensible, constitutionally inconsistent and economically insane, undermining our national health. And then a pandemic hit and exposed the wounds of racism and poverty, and a lynching by police of a black man on camera poured salt in the wound, which makes our call for a moral fusion coalition of all people to address five interlocking injustices even the more relevant,” said Rev. Barber, a bishop and pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Former Vice President Al Gore and other young climate activists will introduce those testifying about the effect of ecological devastation on their lives.
Actors and activists such as Erika Alexander, Danny Glover, David Oyelowo, Jane Fonda, Wanda Sykes and Debra Messing will introduce testifiers and invite Americans and people around the world to tune in.
“The numbers of people suffering in this the richest nation in the world is already increasing and deepening as the effects of the pandemic, recession and racist and anti-poor policies continue to hurt poor and low-income people the hardest,” said Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign. “On June 20th, poor and impacted people will come together to tell the nation what it means to not have enough food to eat, to wonder how to keep a roof over your family’s head, and to have to choose between risking your life by going to work or staying at home and not getting paid. We will share the bold and visionary demands people are putting forth that can solve these grave injustices and the powerful and creative resistance of people organizing across the country. History shows that when those most impacted by injustice come together in a powerful movement, that this country can indeed change for the better. Those whose backs are against the wall are pushing this whole nation towards justice today."
The campaign notes that the day’s focus will be on poor and low-income people who demand that their voices be heard. These people from 43 states -- white farmers and coal miners standing with black women Latino meat packers, First Nation Apaches and Asian people -- will tell the pain of their stories and demand a specific policy, moral budget and political agenda.
That agenda includes a demand that the nation address the five interlocking injustices of systemic racism, systemic poverty, ecological devastation, the war economy and militarism and a distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
Among the impacted people who will speak are service workers from the Midwest who have worked through the pandemic without PP; families hurt by police brutality; a coal miner from Appalachia; mothers who have lost children due to lack of health care, residents of Cancer Alley in Louisiana, and an Apache elder who is petitioning the federal government to stop a corporation from destroying a sacred site in Arizona.
The assembly and march are being held in the wake of protests spurred by the death of George Floyd, who died on Memorial Day as a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.
His cry of “I can't breathe” echoed that of Eric Garner, who died in 2014 when a New York City police officer put him in a chokehold. It followed those of Breonna Taylor, who was shot eight times by officers who invaded her apartment in Kentucky with a battering ram, and Ahmaud Arbery, who was killed by two white joggers who weren’t charged until a video emerged.
The campaign’s leaders decided at the end of March to hold a digital assembly and march because of the pandemic rather than gathering in person in Washington, D.C. Amidst protests that are happening in every state, this digital mass assembly presents an opportunity for all Americans to join together in a united call for justice from wherever they are.
A virtual press room will be set up for reporter’s questions on June 20th. Media can register for it here.
The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, is building a generationally transformative digital gathering called the Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington, on June 20, 2020. At that assembly, we will demand that both major political parties address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism by implementing our Moral Agenda
Petition to decriminalize plant medicines launched with the goal of providing alternative mental health, addiction solutions Vancouver, B.C. (June 10, 2020):Decriminalize Nature Canada, a multidisciplinary coalition of scientists, mental health workers, healers and advocates has launched a national initiative to decriminalize plant medicines. Their goal is to garner the signatures of 500,000 Canadians by August 16, 2020.At least half of Canadians will struggle with their mental health before the age of 40. In any given year, one in five will experience a mental health issue. Resources for those suffering are currently incredibly strained, and alternative solutions are drastically needed.
A growing body of research shows that plant medicines could be a safe alternative to conventional medicine for those suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction. Plant medicines are non-addictive and have been shown to help those suffering from addiction to abstain from drugs like opioids without experiencing the effects of withdrawal.
In the midst of Canada’s overdose and mental health crises, decriminalizing plant medicines would create greater access to much-needed treatment modalities informed by ancient and Indigenous knowledge, while reducing stigma and allowing practitioners who work with these medicines to come out of the shadows.
“In BC more people have died from overdoses since mid-March than from COVID-19,” said Paul Manly, the Member of Parliament who sponsored the petition. “We need new thinking around the treatment of addictions and mental health. These plants and medicines are rooted in thousands of years of indigenous teachings and cultural practices. Criminalization was part of colonization. It’s time to acknowledge that, and give these treatments the respect they deserve.”
“I have worked with hundreds of individuals who have been able to successfully free themselves from addiction and other mental health issues with the use of plant medicines,” said Trevor Millar, a Decriminalize Nature Canada team member and board chair of MAPS Canada. “Our goal is to galvanize support for decriminalizing these medicines, so that more Canadians can heal from the traumas that lead to depression, PTSD, and addiction.”
"Increasing scientific evidence and burgeoning clinical experience show that, in the proper context, the use of plant medicines can be a positive adjunct to healing, with lasting positive impacts on mental well-being,” said Dr. Gabor Maté, addictions expert in response to the petition. “In advocating for people's right to access these potentially beneficial traditional modalities, this petition is a step in the right direction.”To sign the federal petition to decriminalize plant medicines, visit www.decriminalizenature.ca. -###-
About Decriminalize Nature: Decriminalize Nature Canada (DCM) is a multidisciplinary coalition of scientists, mental health workers, healers and advocates committed to decriminalizing plant medicine and fungi at the national level. The group is eager to open the doorway to the alternative healing modalities associated with sacramental plant medicines so that Canadians suffering from mental health issues and addiction can access them safely and without fear or stigma. DCM has gained the support of organizations such as MAPS Canada and the recently launched Canadian Psychedelic Association, comprised of scientists, doctors, researchers, and practitioners. For more information visit: www.decriminalizenature.ca
TORONTO, ON (June 10, 2020) – HelloMD, the leading virtual healthcare platform for medical cannabis in Canada, is offering a new Senior Care service that gives 65+ patient community across Canada simpler access to medical cannabis support to help keep them informed and cared for during COVID-19.
HelloMD is the exclusive telehealth partner of Medical Cannabis by Shoppers, Shoppers Drug Mart’s online platform for the sale of medical cannabis. Through the partnership HelloMD provides patients in Canada with convenient access to practitioner-led advice about medical cannabis.
HelloMD’s new Senior Care service offers low-tech, high-touch access to educational content and licensed practitioners, all from the safety and comfort of their homes. The service offers seniors a simple 3-step process that connects them with an experienced practitioner and, if authorized, with a Medical Cannabis by Shoppers virtual pharmacists to assist with product prescriptions and fulfillment.
According to Statscan National Cannabis Survey seniors are the fastest growing age group utilizing cannabis. With more than a quarter of 65+ cannabis users new to cannabis, the need for education and services that cater specifically to them is clear.
"It’s no surprise that we see so many more seniors curious about using medical cannabis,” said Wendy Wiley, RN, MN, NP. "From my experience, this is a group more likely to present with symptoms resistant to first and second line treatment options, or to be experiencing intolerable side effects from other treatments. But cannabis is not a silver bullet; seniors need access to sound advice on how to use medical cannabis safely, in the context of their conditions and other currently prescribed medications," added Wiley.
The new Senior Care service also includes regularly updated educational content tailored around the needs of those seniors using or seeking advice on the use of medical cannabis.
“Since the start of 2020, we have seen more than 250% growth in demand from 65+ patients seeking practitioner advice on medical cannabis,” said Larry Lisser Senior Vice President of HelloMD. With the ongoing associated risks of COVID-19, seniors need access to safe and trusted sources for their health care needs; yet virtual health is new and sometimes can feel cumbersome for this community. That’s why we have re-engineered our processes and platform so that seniors can enjoy the safety and convenience of virtual health services, but without the frustration that technology can sometimes present,” Lisser added.
“We want seniors to have trusted access to the widest variety of medical cannabis products available in Canada today, “ said Ken Weisbrod, Vice President of Business Development, Shoppers Drug Mart. “Be it by way of simpler access to licensed practitioners, or our pricing programs designed to help seniors better afford their medical cannabis, we want to ensure that seniors have the support they need to streamline this aspect of their healthcare journey.”.
Medical Cannabis by Shoppers breaks down existing barriers for patients by providing convenient access to a broader range of options through a single source, alongside expert advice and counsel from trusted healthcare professionals.
HelloMD is a leading digital platform for alternative healthcare, and has facilitated more than 100,000 virtual consults between patients and licensed practitioners. With its mature tech platform, exceptional patient support and flexible business models, the company’s B2B solutions help pharmacies, clinics and producers onboard to deliver world-class, virtual care to existing and new medical cannabis patients. For more information please visit: https://seniorcare.hellomd.com/
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