New research from Earth Rangers, Ipsos & mental health experts shows rising climate concerns among children can be healthy with the right support
TORONTO, June 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
Research led by Earth Rangers shows some levels of “eco-anxiety,” or concern for the environment, can actually be healthy when it leads to eco-action
The children’s conservation organization is calling on parents to be ‘all ears’ with new campaign to talk to kids about their worries and help the whole family act for the planet
Today, Earth Rangers released new research to provide insights and guidance on the risks posed by eco-anxiety and solutions to help turn these worries for the environment into actions. The white paper – Anxious for Action: Channeling Children’s Environmental Concerns Into Empowerment – outlines practical ways parents and caregivers can help children build resilience, create a sense of agency, and have fun at the same time.
“Children are on the front lines of climate change,” said Tovah Barocas, co-author of the paper and the President of Earth Rangers. “Health experts have been calling for a better understanding of how the global climate crisis impacts not only their physical but also mental health. Given our long-term vision of creating a generation of conservationists, it was critical to dig deeper on what this means for kids – and their adults.” While public conversation around eco-anxiety has been on the rise, most academic research has been focused on the negative impacts of eco-anxiety among adults and older youth. This white paper presents a rare study focused on school-age children and effective solutions to address eco-anxiety.
“Eco-anxiety is not an official diagnosable disorder, however, it does affect children in very real ways. This includes feelings of fear, hopelessness, and despair,” explains Katie Hayes, co-author of the white paper and climate change and mental health researcher. “It is important to research and understand the ways in which we can help children find effective strategies to cope with these feelings.”
In partnership with Ipsos Canada, Earth Rangers conducted a survey of 4,000 Canadians in 2020 to capture attitudes and actions regarding environmental issues by children and their parents. Survey participants included Earth Rangers members and their parents, and general population children in the same age cohort and their parents. Dr. Hayes then interpreted the finding within the context of existing global literature on eco-anxiety to generate new insights.
A key research finding is that some level of concern for the environment can actually be useful and healthy when it leads to environmental action. As seen in earlier studies, children who were hopeful and concerned about climate change were more likely to take environmental action. In contrast, children who felt climate despair were less likely to take action. This is further evidenced in the Earth Ranger survey. Approximately 44% of Earth Rangers members (vs. 26% for non-members) expressed worry about climate change. However, 78% of Earth Rangers members felt more empowered to act on environmental issues (vs. 54% for non-members).
To support parents in channeling their children’s eco-anxiety into empowerment and help them discover their agency to act, Earth Rangers is asking caregivers: “Got Your Ears On?” By visiting www.earthrangers.com/earson, families can choose their favourite pair of animal ears that can be attached to a headband. When children put these ears on, it signals to their adults a desire to talk about their worries about the planet. Parents can wear the ears to show they’re listening and ready to help the whole family start a fun new eco-activity.
Additional Findings & the 5 E’s to Drive Eco-Action:
Empowering kids means empowering the whole family. Research shows when children grow concerned about issues like climate change and are spurred to take environmental action, they also prompt their parents to feel more empowered and take action. This is called the “passthrough effect.”
Earth Rangers’ survey revealed that not only are Earth Rangers members significantly more empowered to act on environmental issues, but Earth Rangers parents are as well (60% vs. 43% for parents of non-members).
Empathy: Provide ample space and opportunities to discuss climate change and other environmental concerns, and allow kids to identify and express their feelings about these issues.
Education: Offer opportunities to learn about climate change and suggest actions that kids and families can take to protect the natural environment.
Environmental Stewardship: Find opportunities to spend more time outdoors. This will help foster a deeper connection to nature and spark new, tangible ways that kids can protect the natural environment.
Excitement: Make conservation activities and learning about the natural environment something to look forward to for kids.
Empowerment: Give kids ways to teach their parents and other adults how to protect nature and become leaders in their households.
Additional Quotes:
“The study results are intuitive and speak to the resilience and positivity of children. As adults, we often see ourselves as teachers and guides for children as they grow and develop. Yet this study suggests that children’s engagement in Earth Rangers may influence their parents’ understanding of environmental issues and their willingness to engage in environmental action. Earth Rangers is an example of an environmental organization that fosters environmental stewardship in children and their parents by educating them about the realities of climate change and empowering them to act.” - Dr. Anna Gunz, Paediatrician, Children’s Environmental Health Clinic
“We have proof now of what we might have guessed: the suffering of the natural world is most assuredly not just the province of adults. The damage to all the miraculous and magnificent animals and plants and places – is having a profound toll on our children. Our challenge is big, but the mission is simple. Let’s give kids—and their grownups— the power to act.” - Dr. Lise Van Susteren, Psychiatrist, Climate Psychiatry Alliance
“It can be very challenging to measure the impact of outreach and education programs, and one of the fundamental reasons why we embarked on this research. Our research was consistent in showing Earth Rangers is effective and I hope this work has helped adults see that the job isn't to make children’s concerns go away – it's to help channel them into action.” - Steve Levy, co-author of the white paper and senior leader at Ipsos Canada
RESOURCES
Executive Summary and the full Anxious for Action: Channeling Children’s Environmental Concerns Into Empowerment white paper can be downloaded here.
‘Got Your Ears On?’ materials and parents’ guide can be downloaded here.
‘Got Your Ears On?’ photos, campaign videos and b-roll of kids and families can be downloaded here.
Cascades Launches its Fourth Sustainability Action Plan "Driving Positive Change"
KINGSEY FALLS, QC, June 2, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - In the context of the upcoming World Environment Day, and following a year of work and consultations with stakeholders, Cascades, the 17th most sustainable company in the world according to Global 100, is pleased to launch its fourth Sustainability Action Plan, the most ambitious in its history: "Driving Positive Change".
"Sustainable development is part of our DNA. Nearly 60 years ago, long before environmental principles and social impacts were taken into account in business practices, our company became a pioneer in the circular economy by making products from recycled materials. This new sustainability plan, in addition to being aligned with the priorities of our clients and partners, reaffirms our leadership amidst the growing challenges facing our society and our planet," said Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades.
The plan, which includes 15 defined targets for 2025 and 2030, is based on four main pillars: Respectful of the Planet, Solutions Driven, Community Minded, and People Focused. It is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and with the recommendations of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to having already reduced the intensity of its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 1990 and being an industry leader in terms of water and energy consumption, Cascades is launching a plan which contains several targets to further reduce its environmental footprint. Among these are:
Reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions of paper manufacturing plants by 38.7% by 2030 compared with 2019 (kg of CO2 eq./metric tonnes)
Reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2030 compared with 2019 (kg of CO2 eq./metric tonnes)
Sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2030
Reducing paper mill water effluents by 15% by 2025
Drawing on its experience in R&D and innovation, Cascades is committed to providing its customers and consumers with products developed in accordance with recognized eco-design principles such as:
By 2030, 100% of the packaging manufactured and sold by Cascades, regardless of the materials used, will be recyclable, compostable or reusable
By 2025, 100% of the fibres or paper used to manufacture Cascades products will be recycled or certified
From a social and community perspective, Cascades will remain focused on people and their well-being by strengthening its culture of health, safety, equity, diversity and inclusion. Through its sustainability action plan, the company is targeting:
50% reduction in the number of days lost due to work accidents (severity rate)
100% of employees trained on unconscious biases related to equity, diversity and inclusion
"Cascades is proud of its renewed ambition in the area of sustainable development, and we are confident we will achieve the targets we have set out thanks to our updated and ingrained governance practices. By partnering with us or by purchasing our products, Cascades' clients, consumers, investors and other stakeholders will also be able to improve their own social and environmental footprint and we are proud to be able to help facilitate this progress. More than ever, our company is determined to create increasingly eco-friendly, high-performance products and give life to the circular economy," said Hugo D'Amours, Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability.
Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative and value-added packaging, hygiene and recovery solutions. The company employs more than 11,700 women and men across a network of 85 facilities in North America and Europe. Driven by its participative management, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous research and development efforts, Cascades continues to provide innovative products that customers have come to rely on, while contributing to the well-being of people, communities and the entire planet. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.
SOURCE Cascades Inc.
Silk'n Introduces Innovative Breakthrough with ToothWave Toothbrush
ToothWave Reinvents Oral Care with DentalRF® Technology
TORONTO, June 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Silk'n, a global leader in medical aesthetics technology for home-use, is bringing innovative technology to at-home oral hygiene. First unveiled at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, ToothWave is the first and only toothbrush that uses Radio Frequency (RF) energy. ToothWave reduces tartar (calculus), prevents, and reduces gingivitis, reduces stains and improves discolouration.
Silk'n and its parent company, Home Skinovations, have been at the forefront of aesthetic innovations for over 10 years. Silk'n developed the first Intense Pulse Light (IPL) at-home hair removal device that permanently eradicates unwanted hair for both men and women. The company has also developed skin care technology solutions incorporating Infrared Heat, LED Red Light, and Blue Light technologies for home use.
ToothWave utilizes DentalRF® technology, a mild Radiofrequency wave of charged molecules that surrounds the surface of each tooth, providing effective oral hygiene that will not damage the enamel or gums. These charged molecules loosen the bonds between the surface of the tooth and the tartar and stains, allowing for easy removal.
"ToothWave is raising the bar for oral hygiene by reducing tartar," says Michael Bank, President, Home Skinovations, North America. "It is the first toothbrush to utilize DentalRF®, a revolutionary technology."
ToothWave's RF energy streams between two electrodes, bouncing back and forth over a silicon barrier, eliminating the need for vigorous brushing. RF energy has been used in surgical and aesthetic medical applications for several decades. DentalRF® Technology is patent protected in the US, China, Europe, Japan, and Russia and is pending in several other countries including Canada.
ToothWave is the first and only toothbrush clinically proven to reduce existing tartar. "Tartar is inevitable," says Dr. Yair Lenga, a Toronto-based Periodontist. "Plaque mineralizes in nooks and crannies. ToothWave is clinically proven to reach these hard to access areas."
Clinical studies undertaken by Salus Research Inc. in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, compared ToothWave to a regular electric toothbrush, with participants brushing twice daily for two-minutes. After six weeks ToothWave demonstrated the following results:
ABOUT Silk'n Silk'n and its parent company, Home Skinovations Ltd, is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed leader who has been pioneering the at-home beauty business for more than a decade. Silk'n stands for authentic beauty and is a private company with a mission to develop, manufacture and sell high quality consumer devices to help people improve their appearance, defy aging, and reshape their bodies. Over 10 million Silk'n Beautiful Technology devices are currently used worldwide.
SOURCE Silk’n
Top NYC Doc: Let’s Crush COVID — Get Vaccinated!
New York, NY, June 2, 2021 —Do you miss hanging out with your friends? Want to see live sports or concerts? Done with Zoom? Then roll up your sleeves and get vaccinated, encourages top NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Westreich.
He has joined the movement to help spread the truth about the efficacy and safety of the COVD-19 vaccines and to dispel misconceptions swirling on social media.
“If you’ve held off on getting a COVID-19 vaccine because you think it was created too quickly, this is definitely not the case,” Dr. Westreich says. “The vaccines have been more than three decades in the making. They were pulled off the shelf and used and began being developed for SARS-COVID-1 in 2003. This outbreak stopped and there was no need to continue. It was pulled off the shelf again in 2012 for the MERS outbreak; this was a very limited outbreak. Misinformation should not be a reason to not get vaccinated.”
He and his dedicated team have created fun and informative videos featuring familiar tunes with re-tooled lyrics to encourage more Americans to “crush COVID” by getting their vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that 30 percent of the entire U.S. population is fully vaccinated and that more than 43 percent have received at least one dose. But medical experts agree that herd immunity is still a distant dream if more people can’t be persuaded to get the vaccine.
“Based on what we know, getting a COVID-19 vaccine also helps keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19 and will protect those around you,” Dr. Westreich adds. “My staff and I created these videos as a fun way to not only shed light on a serious situation, but also to spread very important awareness about the importance of getting the vaccine and to save lives.”
Dr. Richard Westreich graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Biological Basis of Behavior, Neuroscience concentration in 1995 from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his medical school training at the New York University School of Medicine in 1999 with an M.D. and Honors in Cell Biology Research. Dr. Westreich then did his post-graduate training in Facial Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology at the prestigious Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.
He has been selected multiple times by Castle Connolly and New York magazine as one of the top doctors in facial plastic surgery. He is an assistant professor at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and is on staff at Lenox Hill and Mount Sinai Hospitals. He is a faculty member and teacher at a fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery at Mount Sinai. His private practice is located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where he specializes in rhinoplasty, septoplasty, secondary and reconstructive rhinoplasty, facelifts, eyelid surgery and nonsurgical procedures.
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The Canadian Vaping Association: Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control continues to deny the science on vaping
BEAMSVILLE, Ontario, June 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control issued a release advocating for the implementation of a flavour ban and a nicotine ceiling in Quebec. The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) cautions the Government of Quebec, that while these measures are well intentioned, they will result in increased smoking rates and harm public health.
For decades, governments around the world have relied on quit smoking hotlines, online resources, and low efficacy cessation products to end the tobacco pandemic. Despite limited success with this model, it continues to be the ‘right way’ to quit smoking. Vaping could be the greatest harm reduction product of our lifetime if it weren’t for unfounded fears and the misinformation surrounding vaping.
“Quitting smoking is very difficult and there is no right way to quit. Smokers who manage to quit, should be commended on their achievement, regardless of the method used. The CVA supports the use of all quit aids. However, the current tobacco control strategy ignores the reality of quitting smoking. On average, smokers make 30 attempts to quit and only 7% are successful. Public Health England recently declared vaping to be more effective than all leading nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products and has reaffirmed that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking. If Canada is to meet its goal of 5% smoking prevalence by 2035, the current tobacco control strategy needs an overhaul,” said John Xydous, Regional Chair of the CVA.
More than 90,000 Canadians have emailed their Member of Parliament, stating the importance of flavours for quitting smoking. The testimony of vapers is further validated by Yale researchers, who found that adults who quit using a flavoured product were 2.5 times more likely to be successful quitting smoking. The study concludes, “While proposed flavour bans are well-intentioned, they have disastrous outcomes. Legislation on vaping flavours must take the facts of smoking cessation and harm reduction into account, and we urge legislators against the widespread implementation of such bans.”
Additionally, there is little evidence to suggest that banning flavours would reduce youth experimentation. The idea that flavours are a primary influence for youth vaping is a common misconception that has been discredited by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC report, “Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and Highschool Students”, 77.7% of young people indicated that they vape for reasons other than “because e-cigarettes are available in flavours, such as mint, candy, fruit or chocolate.” The most common reason for use among youth was, “I was curious about them.”
Recently, The Youth and Young Adult Vaping Project survey results were published. Flavours were not listed as a primary influence for youth and young adults in Canada. Respondents indicated that peers, followed by the desire to quit smoking and social media exposure were the primary motivators. Flavours continue to be scapegoated long after the data has found they are not driving youth use.
The QCTC’s recommendations are not routed in science. The arguments to support their recommendations have all been debunked. Vaping is proven to be both effective for quitting smoking and 95% less harmful. Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control claims that vaping acts as a gateway to smoking, but the data suggests vaping is a gateway out of smoking. If vaping truly increased youth’s likelihood of smoking, we would have seen an increase in smoking prevalence among the young adults who were teenagers at the peak of vaping prevalence among youth. Yet, smoking rates continue to decline among all age demographics.
In QCTC’s release, Madame Doucas states, “One should not have to choose between prevention for young people and cessation for adult smokers.” The CVA agrees that it doesn’t have to be one or the other, we can balance youth protection with adult harm reduction. Canada has already implemented strong regulation to protect youth, but it has lacked consistent enforcement. Banning flavours will do little to protect youth and instead will push thousands of vapers back to smoking. Restricting flavours and high nicotine vape products to age restricted specialty stores eliminates legal access points for youth. Effective regulation should seek to restrict access and increased enforcement, while maintaining reasonable access for adult harm reduction.
Free COVID-19 ScreeningTool Available as Organizations Continue to Reopen
Employee self-screening enabled essential organizations to remain open during the pandemic and is now helping others to reopen safely.
TORONTO, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North America’s vaccination rollout is in full swing with both the US and Canada making substantial strides towards returning to normality. Many organizations are either reopening, and welcoming people back to the workplace, or planning to in the near future. While this is exciting, organizations still need to comply to safety standards and do their part to keep their employees and the wider community safe.
The good news for these organizations is that there are numerous resources available to help them develop and maintain safety standards. A comprehensive reopening roadmap is key in establishing safe working environment and free resources exist to support reopening efforts.
COVID-19 workplace screening has proven particularly valuable in helping to keep organizations open over the past year. These tools give an organization the ability to screen anyone entering their premises on a given day, through an online questionnaire.
One such solution, available for free, is Couch & Associates’ Workplace Screening tool, which lets an organization brand and customize their own screening site. Options include adding multiple workplace locations and a custom message to respondents. The questionnaire consists of standard screening questions to confirm that respondents are a low risk of recent exposure to COVID-19.
Janet Candido, Founder of Candido Consulting Group says, “Candido Consulting Group encourages our clients to use this screening tool when reopening their workplaces. We wanted a solution that met government regulations, was easy to use and had a good reporting system. This tool does all of that and does it for free.”
What stands out about the Workplace Screening tool, other than being free, is its integrated reporting system. A simple Google Sheets integration will generate a report listing everyone who went through the screening process, the time of the screening, answers to each question and weather they passed or failed.
Organizations don’t have to pay hefty sums to keep employees and visitors safe at this stage of the pandemic, make the most of freely available resources to implement a safe and effective reopening plan.
GURU Good Crew Arrives at the Water’s Edge to Clean Up Montréal’s Riverbanks
After mountain biking trails, GURU tackles riverbanks and urban skateparks
MONTRÉAL, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spring has sprung in Québec, bringing with it new life. But all too often the receding snow reveals litter disfiguring our trails, riverbanks and parks. So why not go outside to play and donate your energy to a community clean-up operation? The time is now!
GURU Organic Energy Corp. (TSX: GURU), Canada’s leading organic energy drink brand, has launched a community clean-up operation in preparation for the summer season. The GURU Good Crew, created for the occasion, has set itself the challenge of cleaning up different environments – mountains, riverbanks and skateparks – and is launching an appeal to outdoor enthusiasts to help it achieve this mission.
First up: mountain biking trails For the “Clean up your trails” project, the GURU Good Crew held several activities in Québec’s mountains during pre-opening weekends at a number of stations.
On May 8, mountain bike enthusiasts took the GURU Good Crew and Mont Sutton up on their invitation to clean up and drain its trail system. On May 22 and 29, respectively, it was Empire 47 and Mont Adstock’s turn to welcome outdoor enthusiasts to get these playgrounds ready for the summer. With the help of over 200 participants for all three events, over 95 km of trails have been tidied up and are ready to welcome you for new adventures!
Next up: the banks of the St. Lawrence Whether you’re sailing or relaxing on the riverbank, water is one of summer’s great pleasures. The GURU Good Crew will be on the case this summer, helping to clean up the banks of the St. Lawrence River in various parts of Québec in partnership with The Blue Organization.
On June 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., an event will be held to kick off Oceans Week, with an impressive route running from Old Montréal all the way to Lachine, with five sites being simultaneously cleaned up. Oceans Week, which combines popular science, art and creativity to raise awareness of environmental conservation, is a national event with its second Québec edition coordinated by The Blue Organization.
“We’re proud of this partnership with GURU, it allows us to discover our local marine and maritime environment and to raise awareness of rivers and oceans,” said Anne-Marie Asselin, Co-founder and President of The Blue Organization. “Québec, with the St. Lawrence and numerous other rivers and lakes, has a significant impact on the health of the oceans, so it’s essential that we take care of them. Let’s protect what we love!” she added.
Other activities will be offered along the St. Lawrence elsewhere in Québec. In the water and on the banks, free divers, stand-up paddle boarders, pedestrians and cyclists are all invited to take part.
“Nature plays a big role in our lives, allowing us to re-energize so that we can become a better version of ourselves — which has become even more important over the last year. We felt it was vital to channel the energy of the past few months by mobilizing outdoor enthusiasts to take care of our environment. Let’s clean-up our favourite outdoor terrains so that we can enjoy them together all summer long and while ensuring everyone’s health and safety,” said Carl Goyette, President and Chief Executive Officer of GURU.
Also up: skateparks Are you staying in town this summer? There are many opportunities for fun, especially in skateparks – even if too often debris tends to accumulate there. But the GURU Good Crew is on it and appealing to skateboarders to help make the season go smoothly. Various clean-up activities will take place this summer in Montréal skateparks so stay tuned!
Share your pictures on social media with the hashtags #escouadeguru and #cleanupguru
These activities are being organized in accordance with the various public health measures in effect in the different regions of Québec.
About GURU GURU Organic Energy Corp. (TSX: GURU) is a dynamic, fast-growing beverage company launched in 1999, when it pioneered the world’s first natural, plant-based energy drink. The Company markets organic energy drinks in Canada and the United States through a distribution network of more than 21,000 points of sale, and through guruenergy.com and Amazon. GURU has built an inspiring brand with a clean list of organic plant-based ingredients. Its drinks offer consumers good energy that never comes at the expense of their health. The Company is committed to achieving its mission of cleaning the energy drink industry in Canada and the United States. For more information, go to www.guruenergy.com or follow us @guruenergydrink on Instagram and @guruenergy on Facebook.
A Texas Dad Gives Daughter One of His Kidneys: Father’s Day Will Be Extra Special This Year
June 1, 2021-- June is a month full of family and fun, especially on the third weekend of the month when families gather to celebrate dads. Father’s Day has always been a special holiday for the Bogner family of Aledo, Texas. But this year it has even greater significance as the family of five will celebrate Father’s Day and the two-year anniversary of Cassidy receiving a life-saving kidney transplant from her dad.
From infancy, Nick and Renae Bogner knew a transplant was inevitable for their oldest daughter, Cassidy. At birth in December 2001 Cassidy was diagnosed with CHARGE Syndrome, which is a rare genetic syndrome that affected her heart, kidneys, hearing, vision, airways and overall stamina. Cassidy has undergone heart surgeries at three months, three years old and at 13 years old, and has made 30 other trips to the operating room for procedures including feeding tube installation, airway repairs and bladder problems -- just to name a few. Cassidy’s kidneys have always been closely watched by her medical team, and her parents have delicately protected them through diet and medication. According to her parents, “You would never know from her joyous, positive attitude the amount of work she has had to put in daily to manage her condition and protect her kidneys.” Cassidy is also deaf, which means that sign language is her primary form of communication.
Nick and Renae have always focused on managing Cassidy’s health so she could have the best life possible. In 2014, they prepared for a transplant because her kidney condition was declining. However, things ended up stabilizing and they were able to postpone the transplant for five more years. No matter what Cassidy is facing, enduring or waiting for … she always has an amazing spirit about her.
During 2018 the time had finally come to start the process for Cassidy to receive a new kidney. Her kidneys were getting weaker, which was affecting her energy level and overall health. The family started working through the transplant evaluation process at the Children’s Medical Center Dallas, which is about one hour away from the family’s home in Aledo. In November 2018 all of the test results had come back and the determination was made -- Cassidy was approved for a kidney transplant. During the transplant evaluation, a transplant social worker suggested Nick and Renae reach out to the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) to learn more about how they might be able to help.
“Cassidy has had several major issues her entire life and they have been extremely costly, and sometimes debilitating, to our family,” Nick said. “We had gone through all previous major medical procedures without financial support. So we knew firsthand how that felt and how it impacted our family.”
Nick reached out to COTA on November 19th to learn more COTA as an organization and as a potential avenue of support for his family. He and Renae spent time reviewing COTA’s online and printed materials and discussed how their family might be able to move forward with the national, nonprofit organization. Nick and Renae completed and submitted the necessary paperwork, and in early February 2019, the Bogner family officially became part of the COTA Family.
“The very first conversation I had with COTA’s leadership brought a huge dose of hope to our situation,” Nick said. “I hung up from that conversation feeling optimistic about being able to have a successful fundraising campaign for transplant-related expenses and what that would mean long-term for our family.”
The Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA) uniquely understands that parents who care for a child or young adult before, during and after a life-saving transplant have enough to deal with, so COTA’s model shifts the responsibility for fundraising to a team of trained volunteers. COTA is a 501(c)3 charity so all contributions to COTA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and COTA funds are available for a lifetime of transplant-related expenses.
On March 15, 2019, a COTA fundraising specialist trained the family’s group of volunteers in Aledo, Texas. The COTA staff member talked to their neighbors and family members about COTA’s fundraising process and shared information about fundraising templates, fundraising guidance and the no-cost website they would be provided. The team got to work planning fundraisers for COTA in honor of Team Cassidy to help with mounting transplant-related expenses.
“Leading up to Cassidy’s transplant, COTA taught us that raising funds is actually OK to do. We had apprehensions regarding fundraising for transplant-related expenses at the beginning when COTA was first introduced to us,” Nick said. “COTA always showed support for our general wellbeing. They made us feel cared for beyond fundraising. I had a lot of confidence in the guidance, and the tools, we received from COTA.”
One of the COTA-provided tools Nick and Renae utilized to share their family’s transplant journey was the COTA for Team Cassidy website. Nick, Renae and volunteers shared the task of posting blog updates and their messages were powerful and inspirational.
April 23, 2019 – A Message from Mom: Today is a big day for our family and for this whole process. This is the moment we have been building up to for four years now. Today all the doctors who have been evaluating Nick will decide if they will allow him to donate a kidney to Cassidy. As I sit here writing this I am filled with anticipation, nervousness, and emotions. I also have all the worries that I carry with me. If they say yes, then we are starting this transplant journey which is overwhelming on all fronts. If they say no, then we have to start the donor work up all over again with me. I have no worries about going down that road myself, but the weight I carry is for Cassidy’s health. I am not sure Cassidy has time to wait for another donor to go through this process. If we must start this process again, then Cassidy will most likely need to start dialysis. All these years we have hoped we could go straight to transplant and avoid dialysis for her. So today I wait and attempt to leave all of my worries and anxiousness in God’s hands, trusting in His plans for each of us, but at the same time hoping Nick is approved so we can move on with this process and get my girl feeling good.
April 24, 2019 – The Best News Yet: For years I have had a deep desire to donate a kidney to Cassidy. I am fortunate to be a match. Tests have shown I have strong kidney function, and I have been healthy throughout my life. Years ago, around age 12, when we told Cassidy that her dad may be the one to give her a kidney, she reacted negatively. She did not want a boy’s kidney and thought it would be too big and had general anxiety about the whole thing. One day she came home from school really happy and said to Renae/Mom, “I was going to the bathroom and God said, let your dad give you a kidney.” Cassidy went on to tell her mom how she felt good about it and that she wanted dad’s kidney “because Dad is strong and she needs a strong kidney.” We have just received word that I have been cleared to be her kidney donor. We are so excited. And while this will be difficult for our family to endure, we are ready for Cassidy to have stable health and to get the energy boost she needs. Great things are coming.
May 6, 2019 – It’s a Date!: We are excited to announce surgery has been scheduled for May 20th. Cassidy’s surgery will be at Dallas Children’s and Nick’s surgery will be at UT Southwestern Hospital, which are near each other. Nick will be hospitalized a couple of days before he is able to be reunited with Cassidy. Cassidy’s hospital stay length is hard to predict because of the immunosuppressant medications, so anywhere between 1-3 weeks. Thanks to so many of you for all the support; we really feel it.
May 20, 2019 – Transplant Day!: We are so relieved and happy to report that Daddy looks good and everything went smoothly on his end. We are anxiously waiting for Cassidy to be finished too! (A few hours later) Cassidy is out of surgery and getting settled in the ICU. Everything went as well as can be expected. She is a brave little girl and I am proud beyond words.
May 21, 2019 – The Next Day: We have had a huge successful day! Nick was discharged from the hospital and reunited with Cassidy. Cassidy’s new kidney is performing awesomely. Her blood tests are showing numbers we have never seen before. Cassidy is getting stronger by the hour. She was moved out of the ICU this afternoon. We have a lot of work to do this week as she heals.
May 28, 2019 – Coming Home and Some Other Things from Dad: Today, just one week and one day after surgery, she is out of the hospital. She made steady progress all week and has shown us once again what it means to Fight Like a Girl! One week in the hospital is about as fast as it gets for a transplant. We are so proud of the courage and moxie she demonstrated all the way through this. We are also immensely grateful for the prayers and support by so many of you. We really felt all of it and know that y’all will be there for the next season of our journey.
One of the benefits of a living donor transplant is that a recipient can sometimes bypass the step of dialysis and go straight to transplant. We had always targeted to avoid dialysis but we almost missed it. Cassidy’s kidneys had been deteriorating at a fast rate and we knew we were close to their end. Had we not transplanted a few weeks ago, she would have had to start dialysis.
Going in for my kidney removal surgery on Monday morning was an awesome feeling for me. It was my own personal victory walk on this long journey. Even crawling onto the operating table in a big sterile room surrounded by robots in space suits brought me great fulfillment. Waking up was equally thrilled knowing my kidney was all but installed into Cassidy. The doctors later commented, ‘it was a good looking kidney’ which brought a proud smirk to my face.
June 15, 2019 – Father’s Day Tribute from Mom: It is often said in our family that nobody knows what to do if Mom is not around. But as I watch our kids grow, and as I have watched Nick through this process, it is extremely evident that he is a solid foundation for each of us. Our kids know their dad is always available and willing to do anything for them … including giving a kidney! I see him sacrifice, without question or burden, for the greater needs of our family.
As I sat in the waiting room on transplant day, the emptiness was thick. But when the nurse called to tell me his kidney had arrived and they were ready to put it into Cassidy, the emotions welled up. Here we were … the moment we had planned on for so long and the moment Nick had fervently worked toward for years. I had a feeling of pride that swelled within me as Nick’s act of love and sacrifice was saving our girl’s life. So this Father’s Day is extra special for our family. Thank you, Nick, for being my person and for loving your babies well.
Nick reports that he and Cassidy indeed made it through the transplant, but that some things continue to be challenging. “COTA continues to be super responsive to my questions and has solid command of the details regarding the financial side of a transplant. COTA has cared for and supported us broadly and consistently and we have seen firsthand the true character of this organization,” he said.
“One week before transplant, we received a call from the hospital requesting a several thousand dollar down payment for the estimated out-of-pocket expenses. Having COTA by our side meant we were able to solely focus on Nick’s kidney donation to Cassidy. COTA turned stress into peace of mind and gave us hope. COTA’s level of expertise, professionalism and stewardship allowed us to rest easy and continues to do so today. We are confident in the organization’s ability to navigate this journey with us … whatever that brings … for a lifetime.”
Nick and Renae wholeheartedly agree they experienced an unintended plus of working with COTA -- the powerful support from many loved ones, and strangers, who contributed, left messages, replied to blogs and followed the Caring for Cassidy Facebook page. Each of these actions was another statement of love and support that was felt and cherished by the Bogner family. “We felt the many people out there who were rooting for us and willing to fight with us,” they said.
Today, Cassidy’s fight continues. And currently it is a battle she is clearly winning. On Cassidy’s 18thbirthday, Renae posted this message, “The other day at an appointment her pediatrician asked Cassidy, ‘How is your new kidney and how is your dad doing?’ Cassidy looked at me and signed, “I am over this story, and ready to move on.” My response to her was, “Baby girl, your story is never done and we will never stop talking about it. It is beautiful, full of miracles and perseverance. Happy Birthday sweet girl … your story is just beginning.”
According to Nick and Renae, “COTA has been such a blessing for our family in many ways and we are so very thankful for all they do. Even with the uncertainty in our world, it is good to know our family can count on COTA through it all.”
Enjoy Father’s Day, Bogner Family!
For more information about the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA),
or to find a COTA family in your area, please email kim@cota.org.
COTA Teen Cassidy Bogner Kidney Transplant Recipient
Young woman’s wish granted by generous donors
The MUHC Foundation helps a terminally ill woman get home to India
MONTREAL, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirandeep Kaur came to Montreal to study business in 2019. This strong and determined 25 year-old woman wanted to become a financial analyst. She and her husband Baljeet Singh Sidhu left their family in India to begin a life together in Canada.
In December 2020, Kaur was diagnosed with an aggressive form of appendiceal cancer that had spread. Despite the chemotherapy, she was admitted to the MUHC multiple times with complications caused by the cancer. It was surgical oncologist Dr. Sinziana Dumitra who treated her, and who realized there was nothing more anyone could do to save her.
“It wasn’t just like the disease came back a little bit,” says Dumitra. “It came back with a vengeance.” -Dr. Sinziana Dumitra, surgical oncologist, MUHC
Desperate to return home to India, Kaur’s medical team was unsure whether she would survive the 14-hour flight to Delhi, and another 8 hours by train to Punjab. Deeply affected by Kirandeep’s situation, the MUHC surgical oncology team looked at every option to send her home.
“There was a lot of distress from the nursing team and medical team about Kirandeep’s safety and wellbeing. She was so strong and brave to make the voyage to be with her family despite how sick she was.” -Celia Lombardo, Assistant Nurse Manager, MUHC
It was Friday night when MUHC Foundation President and CEO Julie Quenneville received a call from Dr. Dumitra.
“When I heard Kirandeep’s story, I knew we had to help. To lose someone so young and to be unable to grant her final wish is a tragedy. I was sure we could find donors as moved by the story as I was.” -Julie Quenneville, President & CEO, MUHC Foundation
Quenneville then called Mark Smith, France Chrétien and André Desmarais, all loyal donors to the MUHC Foundation. When they heard Kirandeep’s heartbreaking story, they quickly took action, not only donating the funds for Kirandeep to return home, but organized the entire journey. Kaur was flown to Toronto on a private jet, where she would board a flight to Delhi. A rush visa was secured for the nurse who would accompany her. 4 days after Quenneville received the call from Dr. Dumitra, Kaur was home in India.
“If the Foundation wasn’t there, we probably would not have been able to do any of this. They made her illness something that is bearable.” -Dr. Sinziana Dumitra, surgical oncologist, MUHC
“It was a miracle, I thank the people who helped us from the bottom of my heart.” -Baljeet Singh Sidhu, Kirandeep’s husband
Available for interviews:
Dr. Sinziana Dumitra, Surgical Oncologist, MUHC Sara Yassa, Assistant Nurse Manager Julie Quenneville, President & CEO, MUHC Foundation
About the McGill University Health Centre Foundation:
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care, research and teaching at the McGill University Health Centre, one of the top university hospitals in Canada. Our Dream Big Campaign to change the course of lives and medicine is raising millions of dollars to solve humanity’s deadliest puzzles: infectious diseases; end cancer as a life-threatening illness; fix broken hearts through innovative cardiac care; detect the silent killers—ovarian and endometrial cancers—early; create the best skilled health care teams in Canada; and much more. We are rallying our entire community to solve the world’s most complex health care challenges.
Pathway Health Corp. Announces TSXV Conditional Approval and Filing Statement for its Qualifying Transaction with Colson Capital and Closing of Qualifying Transaction
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
TORONTO, June 1, 2021 /CNW/ - Pathway Health Corp. (TSXV: PHC) (formerly Colson Capital Corp.) ("Pathway" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from the Exchange for the closing of, and has completed its previously announced "Qualifying Transaction" (as defined in Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") involving a share exchange transaction (the "Transaction") pursuant to which the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Pathway Health Services Corp. (formerly Pathway Health Corp.) ("Old Pathway") in exchange for common shares in the capital of the Company. As a result of the Transaction, Old Pathway became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the exchange of the subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") issued by Old Pathway in connection with the previously announced private placement offering of Subscription Receipts undertaken in connection with the Transaction as detailed in the Company's news release dated March 16, 2021. The Subscription Receipt offering was made through a syndicate of agents, led by Canaccord Genuity Corp., and included iA Private Wealth Inc. and Leede Jones Gable Inc., for aggregate gross proceeds of $13,800,000. In accordance with the terms of the agreement governing the Subscription Receipts, the net proceeds of approximately $12.6 million were released to the Company upon completion of the Transaction.
A Filing Statement in respect of the Transaction has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Exchange and has been filed under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Prior to the Transaction, the Company consolidated its issued and outstanding common shares on a 2.941 to 1 basis (each post-consolidation common share, a "Common Share") and changed its name from "Colson Capital Corp." to "Pathway Health Corp." The Company's new CUSIP number for the Common Shares is 70324L105 and the new ISIN for the Common Shares is CA70324L1058. Shareholders of the Company are not required to take any action with respect to the name change or consolidation, and are not required to exchange any existing certificates bearing the Company's old name. The Company's transfer agent, AST Trust Company (Canada), will send registered shareholders a new Direct Registration System advice ("DRS") representing the number of Common Shares held by such shareholders.
The Transaction was completed pursuant to the terms of the Share Exchange Agreement dated January 29, 2021, as amended, pursuant to which 90,252,819 Common Shares were issued to former shareholders of Old Pathway (including 27,600,000 Common Shares to former holders of Subscription Receipts), at a deemed price of $0.50 per Common Share.
Final acceptance of the Transaction will occur upon the issuance of the Final Exchange Bulletin by the Exchange. Subject to final acceptance by the Exchange, the Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the Exchange under the symbol "PHC" on or about June 10, 2021, and the Company will be classified as a Tier 2 issuer pursuant to Exchange policies.
In connection with the Transaction, the Company's incumbent board of directors has been reconstituted and is now comprised of the following individuals: Michael Steele, Kenneth Howling, Alison Wright and Ken Yoon. Additionally, the board has appointed Ken Yoon as Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary, Aura Balboa as Chief Financial Officer, Wayne Cockburn as President, Kim Wei as Chief Commercial Officer, Renee John as Vice President – Clinic Operations, and Pram Sandhu as Vice President – Pharmacy Programs and Regulatory Affairs.
Capital Structure Upon completion of the Transaction, including the conversion of the Subscription Receipts, the issued and outstanding share capital of the Company consists of 93,108,990 Common Shares, including the 27,600,000 Common Shares issued upon conversion of the Subscription Receipts.
A total of 53,043,334 Common Shares will be subject to escrow agreements, including 816,048 Common Shares originally issued to the Company's principals upon listing the Company as a "capital pool company" (the "CPC Escrow Shares"), and 52,227,286 Common Shares issued to principals in connection with the Transaction (the "Value Escrow Shares"). All CPC Escrow Shares will be released from escrow as to 25% upon the date of the Final Exchange Bulletin, with an additional 25% every six months thereafter. The Value Escrow Shares are subject to a Tier 2 value security escrow agreement and will be released from escrow over 36 months from the date of the Final Exchange Bulletin, with 10% released upon listing.
A total of 52,227,286 Common Shares (the "Lock-up Shares") are subject to voluntary lock-up agreements (the "Lock-up Agreements") entered into in connection with the Subscription Receipt financing. Under the terms of the Lock-up Agreements, the Lock-up Shares are restricted from transfer and will be released in accordance with the following schedule: (i) 50% of the Lock-up Shares will be released on the date that is six months from the completion of the Transaction; and (ii) 50% of the Lock-up Shares will be released on the date that is one year from the date of the Transaction.
The Company also has 16,188,228 Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to exercise or conversion of:
(a)
13,800,000 Common Share purchase warrants;
(b)
2,096,228 broker warrants;
(c)
292,000 Common Shares that may be issued as contingent consideration payable pursuant to the terms of: (i) a convertible grid promissory note dated January 18, 2021 issued by Old Pathway in the name of NACM Management Ltd.; and (ii) an assumption and amending agreement dated January 18, 2021 between Old Pathway and National Access Canada Corporation.
For additional information concerning the Transaction and the foregoing matters, please refer to the Company's filing statement dated May 31, 2021, or the Company's press releases dated March 16, 2021, February 2, 2021, and November 30, 2020.
Investor Relations Contract The Company also announces that it has engaged The Howard Group Inc. ("TGHI") for the provision investor relations consulting services to the Company, consisting of marketing communications and advisory services, in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the Exchange. THGI will focus on expanding the Company's investor audience and online media management. Under the terms of the agreement, THGI will receive fees in the amount of $8,000 per month, for a one-year term expiring in February 2022.
TGHI is a Calgary, Alberta based company, providing investor and financial relations, business development solutions and in-depth strategic planning to public companies since 1988. The agreement with TGHI will be filed and available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Certain Escrow Amendments
The Company also announces certain amendments to the escrow provisions undertaken by Colson Capital Corp. ("Colson") prior to and in connection with the Transaction, as summarized below.
Removal of the Consequences of Failing to Complete a Qualifying Transaction within 25 Months of the Listing Date
Prior to changes to the Exchange's Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies on January 1, 2021 (the "New CPC Policy"), there were certain consequences if a Qualifying Transaction was not completed within 24 months of the listing date of the capital pool company. These consequences included the potential for shares to be delisted or suspended, or, subject to the approval of the majority of the Company's shareholders, transferring shares to list on NEX and cancelling certain seed shares. The New CPC Policy has removed these consequences assuming disinterested shareholder approval is obtained. Disinterested shareholders of Colson voted in favour of the resolution to remove such consequences at its shareholder meeting held on March 31, 2021.
Amendments to the Escrow Agreement Prior to changes to the New CPC Policy, "Seed Shares" of a capital pool company were subject to a 36-month escrow in the event the Resulting Issuer (as defined in the New CPC Policy) was a Tier 2 issuer. The New CPC Policy permits such escrow period to be 18 months in duration assuming disinterested shareholder approval is obtained. At the March 31, 2021 meeting, disinterested shareholders of Colson voted in favour of the resolution to make certain amendments to the CPC escrow agreement, including allowing the Company's escrowed securities to be subject to an 18-month escrow release schedule as detailed in the New CPC Policy, rather than the 36 month escrow release schedule in the former CPC Policy. The amendments only apply to the escrowed securities issued prior to the completion of the Transaction, and the escrow agreement was amended and restated on May 28, 2021.
About Pathway Health Corp.
Pathway Health is one of the largest providers of out-of-hospital pain management services in Canada. The Company owns and operates 9 community-based clinics across 4 provinces where its team of health professionals work together to help patients through a variety of evidence-based approaches. Pathway Health's patient care programs utilize an interdisciplinary approach that is guided by trained pain specialists, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Pathway Health has also developed an expertise in harm reduction where medicinal cannabis is being used as an alternative to traditional opioids.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, which may include by are not limited to statements with respect to obtaining the final bulletin from the Exchange. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the results of operations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Colson and Pathway disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press Release. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
SOURCE Pathway Health Corp.
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