Computer Workware Inc. Joins Green Shield Canada Group of Companies
TORONTO, May 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Shield Holdings Inc., a part of the Green Shield Canada (GSC) group of companies, announced that it has acquired Computer Workware Inc. (CWI).
"Continually advancing our broader business diversification strategy, specifically in benefits administration and management, is a key priority and we’re excited about what this transaction adds to our portfolio of solutions,” said Rino Rondinone, GSC executive vice president of benefits management and technology services. “CWI’s track record of service excellence, growth and innovation, including its Vital Objects (VO) software and iBenefits platform, provides the basis for a partnership with GSC and its HBM+ division that will allow GSC to enable access to new customers and broaden its capabilities as a benefits administrator.”
Throughout its history, CWI has focused on the creation and provision of innovative employee benefits and insurance administration software solutions to leading Canadian group insurers and third-party administrators. Their flagship software solution, VO, enables clients to administer traditional, flex and hour bank programs for group plan sponsors and members. In addition to the VO solution, their new iBenefits platform leverages core VO functionality to provide a fully digital-first experience for plan sponsors and plan members.
GSC and HBM+ will partner with CWI to leverage their core strengths to provide customers with leading technology solutions for benefits administration services and products. “CWI’s administration software suite will enhance GSC’s ability to provide robust solutions – including flexible benefits and hour bank administration – to clients with such administration needs,” said Brent Allen, GSC executive vice president of group. “This perfectly complements our ability to manage more complex plan designs and serve clients who prefer a social enterprise as their carrier.”
“On behalf of the CWI team, I am very excited for the future,” stated CWI’s President Chris Mascitelli. “The acquisition will allow CWI to further enhance the iBenefits and VO platform and give our clients new opportunities to further grow their business. This is a very exciting time for all of us at CWI.”
CWI’s current leadership team will continue to operate the business under the CWI name with Chris Mascitelli remaining president.
For more information: GSC Media Department 1.800.268.6613 ext. 3409 media@greenshield.ca
About Green Shield Holdings Inc. Part of the Green Shield Canada (GSC) group of companies, Green Shield Holdings Inc. is the primary company used to house subsidiaries.
About Green Shield Canada (GSC) GSC is Canada’s fourth-largest health and dental benefits provider, and is uniquely structured as a social enterprise with the purpose of making it easier for people to live their healthiest lives. From coast-to-coast, GSC’s service delivery includes drug, dental, extended health care, vision, hospital, and travel benefits for groups and individuals, as well as administration and benefits management services. Supported by outcomes-based sustainability strategies, advanced technology, and exceptional customer service, GSC creates innovative programs for nearly four million plan participants nationwide.
About HBM+ HBM+ is more than a pharmacy benefits manager, it is a health benefits manager. With offices in Quebec and Ontario, HBM+ provides customized white-label solutions that support drug, dental and extended health benefits for group benefits carriers, third-party payors, and government organizations across Canada. HBM+ is built on a foundation of proven technology, seamless branding, innovative claim management and administration capabilities, collaborative provider management, and solid industry expertise. They recognize that each client is unique and requires a business solution tailored to their needs.
About Computer Workware Inc. (CWI) CWI is a Canadian software company focusing on the development of insurance administration solutions for employee group benefits since 1986. Our flagship products, iBenefits and Vital Objects, provide solutions for Canada’s largest insurance companies and third-party administrators and associations.
Spectral Medical’s Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Dialco Medical Announces DIMI Usability Trial Posted on the ClinicalTrials.gov Website
TORONTO, May 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spectral Medical Inc. (“Spectral” or the “Company”) (TSX: EDT), today announced that the DIMI usability trial, run by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dialco Medical Inc. (“Dialco''), is registered and posted on the ClinicalTrials.gov website under the identifier of NCT04868643.
DIMI is an innovative renal replacement system based on a fully integrated cassette technology, which simplifies set-up, operation, and management of a dialysis session when compared to other instruments currently available on the market. DIMI was recently cleared by the FDA to treat patients with acute and/or chronic renal failure with or without fluid overload using hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, hemofiltration and/or ultrafiltration in hospital or other in-center settings.
DIMI Usability Trial Summary
The prospective multicenter, open label, non-randomized and cross-over study is designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DIMI in the home setting by analyzing delivered dialysis dose and potential adverse events during six weeks of use at home compared to six weeks of use in the hospital setting on the same patients. The trial will include 35 patients in the United States and is expected to enroll the first patient by the end of the third quarter of 2021. Additional details of the study can be found on https://clinicaltrials.gov.
“The design of the DIMI usability trial is very similar to the recent Outset Medical trial and the previous NxStage trial. The key measure of success will be demonstrating that DIMI can deliver the prescribed dialysis needs per session, both in-center and in the home environment, while maintaining safeguards for the mitigation of safety risks,” said Dr. John Kellum, Chief Medical Officer of Dialco Medical Inc. “We are in the final stages of engaging a CRO and onboarding trial sites that are able to enroll suitable patients on an expeditious basis to ensure we are in a position to enroll the first patient by late summer. Prior to patient enrollment, Dialco will work closely with our clinical partners to deliver DIMI device training to their staff. We are committed to providing full support to physicians, nurses, patients and their care partners throughout the trial and beyond, and look forward to the successful completion of the trial.”
Table 1: Anticipated Trial Milestones
Key Usability Trial Milestones:
Anticipated Timing
Engage CRO to run usability trial
May 2021
Contract clinical sites
June 2021
Site activation - including study training and device training
August 2021
First patient enrolment
September 2021
Primary completion
May 2022
Study completion
September 2022
“We look forward to engaging our usability trial partners shortly, and working with the clinical sites to demonstrate the ease-of-use and safety of DIMI to home patients and their care partners,” said Dr. Gualtiero Guadagni, President of Dialco Medical Inc. “We believe this trial will showcase DIMI as a disruptive technology that is at the forefront of addressing the most significant barriers to adoption for home hemodialysis. The use of pre-filled dialysate bags aims to simplify dialysis for home patients and overcome the challenge of water quality, which is a common issue throughout many regions across the U.S. We also believe this trial represents an incredible commercial opportunity to demonstrate positive real world experience and the versatility of DIMI amongst our clinical trial partners, who are also our potential customers. Dialco is committed to bringing this disruptive innovation to empower more patients and their care partners transfer in-center dialysis to their homes.”
About Spectral
Spectral is a Phase III company seeking U.S. FDA approval for its unique product for the treatment of patients with septic shock, Toraymyxin™ (“PMX”). PMX is a therapeutic hemoperfusion device that removes endotoxin, which can cause sepsis, from the bloodstream and is guided by the Company’s Endotoxin Activity Assay (EAA™), the only FDA cleared diagnostic for the risk of developing sepsis.
PMX is approved for therapeutic use in Japan and Europe, and has been used safely and effectively on more than 300,000 patients to date. In March 2009, Spectral obtained the exclusive development and commercial rights in the U.S. for PMX, and in November 2010, signed an exclusive distribution agreement for this product in Canada. Approximately 330,000 patients are diagnosed with severe sepsis and septic shock in North America each year.
Spectral, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Dialco Medical Inc., is also commercializing a new set of proprietary platforms addressing renal replacement therapy (“RRT”) across the dialysis spectrum. “SAMI” is targeting the acute RRT market, while “DIMI” is targeting the chronic RRT market. Dialco is currently pursuing regulatory approval for U.S. in-home use of “DIMI”, which is based on the same RRT platform as “SAMI”, but will be intended for home hemodialysis use. “DIMI” recently received its FDA 510k clearance for use in hospital and clinical settings, and obtained its Health Canada license for use within Canadian hospitals, clinics and in home.
Spectral is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol EDT. For more information, please visit www.spectraldx.com.
The Brick Raises over $1.4 Million for Children’s Miracle Network in 2020
Funds raised from adapted fundraising efforts will support children in communities across Canada
EDMONTON, Alberta, May 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brick, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leon’s Furniture Limited (“LFL” or “Leon’s”) (TSX:LNF), is pleased to share that despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was successful in raising over $1.4 million in support of Children’s Miracle Network in 2020.
The Brick has been a proud partner of Children’s Miracle Network since 2014. In a normal year, The Brick’s robust fundraising campaign would include in-store initiatives and events such as Children’s Miracle Network Charity Day, Teddy Bear Toss events, and The Brick’s Annual Golf Tournament. However, due to the ongoing pandemic many activities were paused, and The Brick had to reimagine its fundraising strategy with COVID-19 health and safety in mind.
“I would like to thank our incredible customers for their continued support of our fundraising initiatives,” said Dave Freeman, President, The Brick. “Despite how hard the past year has been on so many Canadians – their lives, incomes and loved ones – our customers still came forward to help us improve the lives of children by giving to Children’s Miracle Network. We are very grateful and proud to serve them and their communities.”
As part of its 2020 campaign, The Brick held their first-ever virtual event: an online cooking class hosted by renowned chef David Rocco. The “Cooking for the Kids” event, sponsored by KitchenAid, saw participants from across Canada and some from south of the boarder. The event raised $45k through registration fees and individual donations, with 100 per cent of funds being donated to Children’s Miracle Network. In addition, The Brick raised another $422K for Children’s Miracle Network through their annual Buy More, Save More, Give More retail campaign.
The Brick Resolution Run®, in partnership with the Running Room, also adapted. The 2nd-annual event, of which Children’s Miracle Network is the official charity partner, pivoted to a virtual run this year. Racers could complete a 5K or 1K run at their own pace, at their own time, from any location of their choice, keeping with COVID-19 restrictions.
“Since entering this partnership in 2014, The Brick has been instrumental in raising funds for the latest equipment and medical research,” said Mark Hierlihy, President and CEO of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations which runs Children’s Miracle Network in Canada. “2020 was a difficult year for us all, and The Brick associates triumphed against COVID-19 store closures to demonstrate their commitment to improve the lives of children, Brick by Brick.”
The Brick has helped raise over $9.6 million for children’s health and in 2020, was recognized as Children’s Miracle Network’s Corporate Partner of the Year. The Brick will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2021 and has set a fundraising goal of $2.250 million. The company anticipates that it will reach the $10 million mark later this year.
For more information about The Brick’s community relations work, please visit: http://csr.thebrick.com/.
About Children’s Miracle Network
Children’s Miracle Network® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals, 14 of which are in Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and research. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles are, at http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.ca and http://www.facebook.com/CMNHospitals.
About The Brick
Focused on Saving You More, as part of the LFL Group (Leon’s Furniture Limited - TSX: LNF), The Brick is Canada’s largest retailer of furniture, appliances, mattresses and electronics. Serving Canadians since 1971, with 209 locations and more than 5,000 employees across Canada, The Brick is proud to be part of your community. The Brick is online at TheBrick.com. Keep up-to-date, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Leon’s Furniture Limited
Leon’s Furniture Limited is the largest retailer of furniture, appliances and electronics in Canada. Our retail banners include: Leon’s; The Brick; Brick Outlet; and The Brick Mattress Store. Finally, with The Brick’s Midnorthern Appliance banner alongside with Leon’s Appliance Canada banner, this makes the Company the country’s largest commercial retailer of appliances to builders, developers, hotels and property management companies. The Company has 304 retail stores from coast to coast in Canada under various banners. The Company operates three websites: leons.ca, thebrick.com and furniture.ca.
Tips for Safe Traveling in the COVID Age
CurexLab, a provider of approved COVID-19 PPE and lab supplies, provides safe traveling information for those who have been vaccinated
NEW YORK, New York – (May 5, 2021) – One of the things people are eager to get back to in their life is traveling. COVID has put a damper on their traveling, and millions of people are already working on travel plans now that things are opening up and the vaccination rate is so high. The good news is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that people can travel once they have been fully vaccinated. Even so, there are safe traveling precautions that people should take in order to help reduce their risks because vaccines do not provide 100% protection.
“We all want to get back to our normal lives, which includes visiting people and traveling,” explains Shan S. Haider, chief executive officer of CurexLab, one of the largest suppliers of COVID-19 PPE and lab supplies. “But it’s still a good idea to take a few precautions to help reduce your risks of virus exposure. You will never regret having taken those little safe traveling steps.”
Once people are fully vaccinated, they can begin to cautiously travel. According to the CDC, people are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received their final vaccine. For those who have received the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, that would mean two weeks after their second dose. For those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, that would be two weeks after their one shot.
Here are some tips for safe traveling in the COVID age:
Choose a destination that won’t have big crowds. Now is not the time to plan to visit a big city where there will be crowds of people. If possible, opt for places where there are fewer people, such as national parks or other places in nature.
Stick to wearing a mask when you travel. While airplanes require them, it’s a good idea to continue to wear them everywhere. They are a good line of defense when it comes to the germs and viruses you are exposed to.
Take supplies with you that you can use on the airplane, in the rental car, and in the hotel. A container of sanitizing wipes gives you a quick way to clean your tray table, wipe down your rental car, and clean the television remote and doorknobs in the hotel room.
Wash your hands regularly and carry hand santizer with you for when it’s not possible. Avoid touching your face after you have been touching things and haven’t been able to wash your hands.
Try to socially distance where possible. If you see a crowd gathered, go the other way. You can still be social and get involved in things, but try to limit your exposure to a lot of people, especially indoors and where it’s poorly ventilated.
Eat healthy, exercise and get plenty of sleep so that your body stays healthier and your immune system stays stronger. This will help your body combat germs and viruses that do make their way into your body.
“There are different variants of the COVID virus, and we don’t know everything about them at this point,” added Haider. “Taking precautions is going to help keep you safe yet allow you to get back to enjoying doing things. Have fun, but protect yourself, too.”
Beginning June 2021, CurexLab will be offering a travel kit, which has been designed for travelers who are exposed to crowds and would like to clean and sanitize their immediate area. The travel kit includes two disposable 3-ply masks, two pair of gloves, 10 wet wipe sachets, and 10 sanitizer gel sachets. CurexLab Inc’s goal is to get the travel kits into convenient places around the US and Canada, such as CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, and kiosk stores at the airports, train stations, and bus stops.
CurexLab Inc., pioneers in clinical diagnostic kits, offers a range of COVID-19 PPE supplies and lab supplies at affordable costs. Its product line includes antibody rapid testing kits, RNA COVID-19 extraction kits, inferred thermometers, ventilators, face shields, hand sanitizer, nitrile gloves, KN95 masks, three and four-ply masks, isolation and surgical gowns, and coveralls. To get more information or see the line of COVID-19 PPE and lab supplies, visit the site at: https://www.curexlab.com.
About CurexLab Inc.
Based in New York City and Toronto, CurexLab Inc. offers a range of COVID-19 lab and PPE supplies. It is one of the largest suppliers of COVID-19 medical supplies, including nitrile gloves and four-ply masks. CurexLab masks were designed in compliance with FDA and CDC guidelines. It is a vendor at the state and federal government level. Its products are manufactured in labs in the U.S., Canada, Turkey, Estonia, Vietnam, and China. All vendors are carefully selected to meet CureXLab’s high standards. To get more information or see the line of COVID-19 PPE and lab supplies, visit the site at: https://www.curexlab.com.
Butterfly Approach offers hope for future in Long-Term Care in Ontario
Meaningful Care Matters welcomes the publication of Ontario’s Long-Term Care Covid-19 Commission Final Report in its honest and powerful reflections of the impact of the last year on people living and working in long-term care.
It was particularly heartening that the report did not just highlight what went wrong, but also offered tangible recommendations based on ‘best practices and promising ideas’ highlighted during the Commission’s hearings.
One of the approaches mentioned was The Butterfly Approach, currently being implemented and supported by Meaningful Care Matters in a number of facilities across Ontario, and also in Alberta. The Butterfly Approach is both a philosophy of care and a clear roadmap on how to achieve this in practice. While there are other models of care which might include some similar features, The Butterfly Approach is one of the most comprehensive culture change models to be implemented thus far in Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and the USA.
In the Commission Report, The Butterfly Approach was commended in particular for its small family-feel household living, which was positive both in terms of quality of life and close relationships between people, but also in terms of infection control during Covid-19. Other key elements include a lessening of ‘them and us’ institutional features and less focus on tasks to be done and more on interaction and occupation. This has been particularly welcoming for people during the pandemic where loneliness and boredom became the norm in many long-term-care homes.
All the contributors who talked about the Butterfly Approach stressed the need for motivated and passionate leaders to drive the change needed. Peter Bewert, CEO of Meaningful Care Matters agrees; “It has never been more important to nurture and re-energise inspirational leaders in long-term-care. Many are exhausted after a devastating year of loss and trying to support a depleted and demoralised workforce. However, the Butterfly Family of partners implementing the Approach in Ontario have been supporting each other, and will continue to do so. Meaningful Care Matters has a strong team ready to help existing Butterfly Homes, as well as support services who want to find out more about this transformative approach.”
Meaningful Care Matters specialise in helping care homes to access a variety of services facilitating the effective and sustainable implementation of person-centred care models, for the health, social/aged, and disability care settings.
The care and culture consultancy group has recently launched Meaningful Connections Community, a comprehensive online platform offering individuals and care providers an opportunity to share, collaborate and debate issues impacting person-centred care cultures.
16 People, Impacted by Depression, Contribute Their Unforgettable Journeys to Encourage Dialogue
Bayview, Idaho, May 5, 2021 — The voice on the other end of the phone was familiar but shaky. It was Sarah’s friend Carolyn, and she was grappling with suicidal ideation.
“Something had her in its grip and would not let go,” Sarah Zabel explains. “I kept wondering, what’s doing this? How does a normal, happy person come to feel life is so bad that she must kill herself?”
Sarah shares Carolyn’s unforgettable story, along with the emotional journeys of 15 others, in Fighting Chance: How Unexpected Observations and Unintended Outcomes Shape the Science and Treatment of Depression.Included are interviews with more than 20 experts in the fields of neuroscience and psychiatry, plus current research, to give readers a 360-degree look inside the world of mental illness.
Described by Sarah as a “science book for non-scientists,” Fighting Chancetackles key questions that have guided scientific research for decades and delves into the discoveries that have formed the medical world’s understanding of the disorder. Peppered throughout are more than 20 illustrations that help explain the science involved — making it widely accessible.
Sarah adeptly explores topics ranging from the neurobiology of depression to antidepressant medications; stress and inflammation; genetics; suicide; traditional and alternative therapies and treatments; and even gives a nod to Big Data’s efforts to clarify depression’s causes and cures.
Ultimately, Fighting Chance is a tale of human endeavor and ingenuity, of downright weird experiments and serendipitous discoveries, and of people who valiantly battle for answers for themselves and for people they will never know.
Author Sarah Zabel graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a degree in computer science in 1987 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. She retired from the Air Force in 2018 as a major general and decided to turn her focus to her life-long love of learning and become a science writer. She set herself the task of first coming to understand, and then to explain for other lay-persons, the science behind some of life’s most complex but important human experiences. Inspired, intrigued and frustrated by an enduring friend’s battle with depression, she set that topic as her first task. Sarah does occasional consulting and other activities associated with her time as one of the military’s leaders in cyberspace operations and security, in the provision of communications and other services to a community, and leadership of a diverse workforce.
Hello Trees. Hello Allergies. The Sneezing Season Is Here
How to stop allergies & allergic reactions naturally with wild spices
An interview with Dr. Cass Ingram, author of The Miracle of Wild Oregano
If it feels like the annual allergy season is getting longer and worse, it’s because it is.
Climate researchers say rising temperatures and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are prolonging the pollen production seasons and increasing the amount of pollen that plants produce.
For the more than 26 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever," that means a longer span of irritated eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, and congestion. Healthcare professionals also believe that the combination of longer growing seasons and an increase in pollen, production is linked to a spike in patients developing allergy symptoms, an American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAI) survey found.
Millions of Americans experience year-round allergy symptoms, regardless of when pollen season starts, due to the presence of indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold, says Dr. Cass Ingram, an expert on wild medicinal spices and author of the book The Miracle of Wild Oregano.
In fact, most nasal and sinus problems attributed to pollen are actually caused by entrenched colonies of fungi living year-round in the nasal cavity.
For natural health enthusiasts, Dr. Ingram reveals how to quiet allergy symptoms not with over-the-counter medications and their accompanying side-effects, but rather by using the medicinal power of wild oregano and other germ-fighting aromatic spices.
Here are Dr. Ingram's tips for beating allergy symptoms naturally:
Clean your home with natural antiseptics to eliminate indoor allergens, including dust mites and mold. Non-toxic medicinal spice OregaSpray will kill mold spores and other harmful microbes. Can be sprayed on air conditioner filters to decrease mold and viral transmission. The blended spray includes oregano, cumin, and other essential oils.
Saline-based nasal wash containing essential oils of sage, bay leaf, clove, and oregano will inactivate spores, microbes, and pathogens growing in the nasal and sinus passageways. All-natural SinuOrega can be used daily.
Eliminate dairy, including milk and packaged products with dairy ingredients.
Your respiratory system is already under attack from allergens -- don't overtax your immune system by creating excess mucus that needs to be eliminated.
For Runny Nose and Sneezing
Studies show that molds are the cause of a wide range of sinus symptoms, including runny nose, postnasal drip, acute sinus infections, and stuffy sinuses, as well as chronic sinusitis itself, says Dr. Ingram. Treatment protocol: Inhale the wild oregano oil frequently, place a drop or two of oil on the skin next to the nose; consume it under the tongue, five or more drops twice daily.
For Congestion:
Oil of wild oregano is a type of natural sinus medicine. It helps to open clogged sinus passages while thinning mucus as well as halting excessive mucus secretion. Wild oregano has been used historically to relieve constricted breathing, including asthma attacks. As mentioned previously it possesses significant powers for reversing a wide range of lung- and bronchial-related symptoms, including congestion, cough, thick mucus, and wheezing, says Dr. Ingram. Treatment protocol: Inhale the oil frequently to help open clogged passages. Place a drop or two of oil of wild oregano on the skin next to the nose for a more direct effect.
For Coughing:
The oil is currently being evaluated in a clinical setting in the treatment of coughing. Of the twenty individuals so far tested, all noted significant relief from coughing after taking either oregano oil or the crushed oregano herb. Many have reported an outright cure, says Dr. Ingram. Treatment protocol: Inhale the oil of wild oregano directly from the bottle as often as possible. Take a few drops of the oil under the tongue twice daily or gargle with a few drops in saltwater.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR DR. CASS INGRAM (cassingram.com/ northamericanherbandspice.com) Dr. Cass Ingram is a nutritional physician who received a B.S. in biology and chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa (1979) and a D.O. from The University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA (1984). Dr. Ingram has since written over 20 books on natural healing. He has given answers and hope to millions through lectures on thousands of radio/TV shows. His research and writing have led to countless cures and discoveries. Dr. Cass Ingram presents 100's of health tips and insights in his many books on health, nutrition, and disease prevention. Dr. Ingram is one of North America's leading experts on the health benefits and disease-fighting properties of wild medicinal spice extracts. A popular media personality, he has appeared on over 5,000 radio and TV shows. He now travels the world promoting perfect health in the natural way.
Did you Purchase Glucosamine Sulfate Products Between May 6, 2004 and June 1, 2021?
If so, you might be affected by a class action settlement.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 5, 2021 /CNW/ -
The Class Action
A national class action was commenced in British Columbia, on behalf of residents of Canada, alleging that numerous manufacturers and retailers sold products labelled as containing "glucosamine sulfate", "glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride", "glucosamine sulfate KCL", or "glucosamine sulfate • KCL" ("Glucosamine Sulfate Products"), when they contained no glucosamine sulfate.
The class action alleges that the defendants were unjustly enriched, engaged in negligent misrepresentation, contravened the Competition Act prohibiting false and misleading representations, and contravened provincial consumer protection legislation.
The Settlement
A settlement of the action has been reached on a national level with Vita Health Products Inc. ("Vita") and Sisu, Inc. ("Sisu") under which these settling defendants have agreed to, among other things, make a product labelling change and pay CDN $450,000 for the benefit of the proposed class. In exchange, Vita and Sisu, as well as certain related parties, will receive, among other things, a full and final nation-wide release of all claims and potential claims that class members may have against them for any sort of alleged or perceived damages relating to the Glucosamine Sulfate Products.
The settlement is subject to court approval in British Columbia. The settlement is a resolution of contested claims, none of which have been proven, and is not an admission of liability, fault or wrongdoing of any kind by Vita or Sisu, nor is it an admission of any of the allegations made in the class action, which Vita and Sisu expressly deny.
Certification as Class Proceedings for Settlement Purposes
The court in British Columbia will be asked to certify the action against Vita and Sisu as a class proceeding for settlement purposes only.
Settlement Class Members
You may be a member of the proposed settlement class if you purchased Glucosamine Sulfate Products between May 6, 2004 and June 1, 2021, for purposes that were primarily personal, family, or household.
"Glucosamine Sulfate Products" means product labelled as containing "glucosamine sulfate", "glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride", "glucosamine sulfate KCL", or "glucosamine sulfate • KCL".
Settlement Approval Hearing
A hearing to consider certification and approval of the settlement will be heard by the British Columbia court in the City of Vancouver on June 1, 2021 at 9:00am by videoconference.
You may express your views on the proposed settlement to the court. If you wish to do so you must provide a written submission to class counsel by May 25, 2021 for consideration by the court. For more information see bdplaw.com, bennettmounteer.com, or cfmlawyers.ca.
Money Paid Under the Settlement
The settlement funds paid by the settling defendants will be held in an interest-bearing trust account. At a later date, the court will decide how the settlement funds will be distributed. The settlement funds may be distributed to class members, distributed to charitable organizations, used to pay for case expenses, or any combination of the above. If there is a distribution to the class members, the court will decide how you can apply to receive money from this settlement.
You are represented by:
Bennett Mounteer LLP
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
Camp Fiorante Matthews Mogerman LLP
SOURCE CFM Lawyers LLP
How to Prevent (and Treat) Tick Bites This Summer Naturally
There's a tiny, would-be assassin hiding in America's fields and woodlands that goes by the name of ioxides scapularis, but is more commonly known as the black-legged deer tick.
A single bite from this creature can destroy your life - and if untreated, may even kill you.
"The disease caused by this tiny biting insect is called, Lyme disease, and it's one of the most dreaded and destructive diseases known," said medicinal spice expert and health researcher Dr. Cass Ingram, author of "The Lyme Disease Cure."
With a minimum of some 400,000 Americans diagnosed with this disease every year, and with lockdowns being lifted in many parts of the country, those with Lyme disease need to understand why they are at a heightened level of risk and how to avoid being adversely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, says Dr. Cass Ingram, a Lyme disease survivor who developed his own successful plant-based treatment protocol which he details in his book, The Lyme Disease Cure.
Patients who have Lyme disease typically have a hyperactive immune system that is in a state of perpetual inflammation. This factor makes these individuals more at risk for developing severe illness.
As tick season ramps up this year, we have to be very vigilant, more so than any other year, so that we prevent Lyme disease from developing.
PREVENTING EXPOSURE TO LYME DISEASE AND TICK PATHOGENS:
Wear the lightest-colored clothes possible, preferably white or off-white. White is the best, since the tiny tick nymphs, which are black, can be seen more readily. Larger ticks can be easily seen against such a background.
Socks are pulled over the pant legs. The socks should be white.
Spray shoes, socks, and legs with a natural, potent tick repellent.
Check clothes often for evidence of crawling, climbing ticks.
Wear a hat to prevent ticks from falling from tall grass or trees onto the head.
Be sensitive, and be aware. Have a high awareness of entities crawling on the body or in the hair. If any such sensations occur, check the body immediately.
Upon arriving home or when in a secure place, strip down immediately; place all clothing in a plastic bag. Inspect the body fully for ticks.
The head and neck should be carefully inspected. The hair should
be thoroughly brushed and/or combed all the way down to the scalp. After any wilderness adventure take a shower and scrub the skin
RESPONSE TO BEING BITTEN:
Any tick bite, if discovered, should be treated topically. The tick itself, along with the bite area, should be saturated with the oil of wild oregano to attain constant contact, which is ideal to destroy any residual tick-related germs and the consequential local inflammation. That constant contact can also be achieved by saturating a bandage or a piece of cotton and once the tick is removed taping it against the region. This can then be changed every 12 or 24 hours and continued until all infection and inflammation is eradicated.
BASIC PROTOCOL TREATING LYME DISEASE WITH WILD SPICES
Wild spices in the form of oil of oregano will literally burn away the protective exterior membranes (biofilm) of viruses and pathogens transmitted by an infected tick. Many types of germ-killing spices are reviewed in the book, and readers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the healing properties and uses of each. Some of the spices used by Dr. Ingram to cure his own Lyme infection included:
Oil of wild oregano (P73)
Multiple spices - dried essential oil complex consisting of oils of wild oregano and sage, cumin, and cinnamon
Juice of wild oregano
ABOUT DR. CASS INGRAM (cassingram.com/ northamericanherbandspice.com) Dr. Cass Ingram is the foremost expert in medicinal herbs and spices. He received a B.S. in biology and chemistry from the University of Northern Iowa (1979) and a D.O. from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA (1984). He has written 24 books on natural healing and has been an invited guest on hundreds of radio and television programs across North America and the UK
LifeLabs announces collaboration with TELUS Health to support better access to healthcare services for customers in Ontario
Providing MyCareCompass users with access to allied health services such as counselling and dietitians
Toronto, ON, May 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, LifeLabs is proud to announce that it has partnered with Telus Health to offer MyCareCompass customers in Ontario improved access to allied health services such as virtual counselling through the Babylon by TELUS Health virtual care service.
A recent study by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) found that 40% of Canadians say their mental health has deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. What's more, Canadians are continuing to rely on virtual care during the pandemic to support their health care needs.
LifeLabs' MyCareCompass portal goes beyond appointment booking and providing customers with their test results online. The portal includes several new features, including an online marketplace that features health, wellness, lifestyle products and services where the new featured virtual counselling service will be offered.
"Over 3 million users in Ontario rely on LifeLabs' portal to deliver convenient digital tools to help them manage their healthcare journey," says Charles Brown, President and CEO, LifeLabs. "Our goal with this partnership is to provide our customers with enhanced access to online services that empowers them to support better health outcomes for their lives."
The collaboration with TELUS Health will allow MyCareCompass users in Ontario to book 50-minute virtual mental health counselling appointments through the Babylon by TELUS Health mobile app on a smartphone. Sessions are provided by experienced, master's level registered counsellors who provide care that responds to the unique needs and goals of each individual; customers also have the ability to read counsellor bios in advance to select a care provider that they feel best meets their needs.
"We are seeing the mental health crisis in Canada escalate amidst a global pandemic causing considerable emotional, physical, and financial stress; and we know that Canadians need multidimensional support," said Juggy Sihota, Vice President, Consumer Health, TELUS. "Access to mental health support as well as a family doctor are equally important and that's why TELUS Health is committed to ensuring that Ontarians have improved access to that care, in addition to allied healthcare professionals, where and when they need it most, through our Babylon by TELUS Health service."
LifeLabs is Canada's leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling patients and health care practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor, and prevent disease. We support 20 million patient visits annually and conduct over 100 million laboratory tests through leading edge technologies and our 5,700 talented and dedicated employees. We are a committed innovator in supporting Canadians to live healthier lives, operating Canada's first commercial genetics lab and the country's largest online patient portal, with more than 5 million Canadians receiving their results online. LifeLabs is 100% Canadian owned by OMERS Infrastructure, the infrastructure investment manager of one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans. Learn more at lifelabs.com.
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