Foundation TB Vets Letter

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The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of a Community Grant in the amount of $10,046.15 to South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation for the Penticton Regional Hospital.

“Investing in community health makes it possible for Regional Health Authorities to enhance care and treatment for our Veterans, local residents and those from the surrounding area,” commented Foundation Board Member and Command President, Gerry Vowles. “The Royal Canadian Legion has 20 Branches in the Okanagan and through our combined support; it is an honour for us to support the excellent medical programs of the Penticton Regional Hospital.”

The Legion Foundation Executive Director, Maria Thomsen welcomed the opportunity to be involved with the South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation. “It is increasingly difficult to raise funds for community medicine. With this contribution the Penticton Hospital will be able to acquire an IV triple infusion pump.”

The Royal Canadian Legion has 156 Branches, 108 Ladies Auxiliaries and approximately 80,000 Members in British Columbia and Yukon. The Membership supports a vast expanse of community programs in the areas of: Veterans’ Services; Canadian Armed Forces Transitional Services; Community and Seniors’ Services; Medical Education, Training and Research; Youth Development and Leadership and Poppy and Remembrance. Over $2 million is contributed annually for these services and programs.

Penticton RCL Branch 40 1st Vice President, Lloyd Witkowski and Ken Jaggard, Board President along with Janice Perrino, Executive Director of the Penticton Regional Hospital accepted the Community Grant at an official ceremony held at The Legion Branch in Penticton.

Contact: Sharel Fraser, Director, Community and Media Relations
sharelfraser@shaw.ca 604 899-1585

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Val Noyes President Branch #37 presented Dave Sinclair, President Legion Manor a cheque for $2000 from the Legion Foundation.

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- To learn about the Legion Foundation Spinoza Program, Click Here

- For the Request Form - Legion Spinoza progrm, Click here

Foundation Brochure outside, Click here

Foundation Brochure inside, Click here

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Spinoza Bear's New Friends

Spinoza presentation by the Chapter of British Columbia and Yukon, Order of the Eastern Star and The Royal Canadian Legion; (l to r) Kim BAll, Worthy Grand Matron, O.E.S.; Jaydon, recipient; Dave Boot, Worthy Grand Patron, O.E.S.; Sharon Hards, Branch 102, Fort St. John, The Royal Canadian Legion; Gail Fraser, Director of Cancer, O.E.S.

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Kamloops Branch 52

Friendship between Aurora and her new friend Spinoza Bear blossoms. Born with 9 holes in her heart, Aurora a delightful little girl, has had to endure a lot in her life. While some of the holes have healed on there own, she still has three operations to go. This Spinoza Bear that was presented by Kamloops Branch 52, President Walter Giesbrecht along with a representative of The Ladies Auxiliary, Cathy Henderson will surely help comfort her through the challenges she will face.

Kamloops Branch 52 also donate another $900.00 so other children can be presented with a special friend, of their own, Spinoza Bear. To find out how you too can help, please contact The Legion Foundation.

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Click here for Write up

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Kidney Suites receive much-appreciated support from
Royal Canadian Legion Foundation

For Clare McDowell, turning 30 was more than the usual milestone most young women experience. It was the birthday of a lifetime. Among the gifts she received (cards, a balloongram and computer gadgets,) she was given The Gift of Life. On December 8, 2005, three weeks before her 30th birthday, Clare got the call from The BC Transplant Society. They had a kidney for her. Happy Birthday!

The Victoria resident had been in university studying to become a teacher when she was diagnosed with kidney disease. A short six months later, the lively 23 year-old started hemodialysis and became one of the regular evening dialyzers at Victoria’s Community Dialysis Unit. Continuing her studies as she sat for five hours hooked up to the life-saving machine three nights a week, Clare finished her degree but was only able to teach part-time because of the fatigue that accompanies kidney disease.

Clare’s successful transplant surgery took place at Vancouver General Hospital in early December. Her next hurdle was the need for a place to stay in Vancouver for the follow up visits that post-transplant patients require with their medical team: a month of twice weekly checkups; a second month of weekly appointments, followed by a diminishing number of visits, (every two weeks, once a month, etc.) Living out of town is an expensive proposition for a part-time school teacher. But help was at hand.

In January 2000 The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch, had opened its first Kidney Suite to provide accommodation to kidney patients with financial need who live outside the lower mainland and must travel to Vancouver for treatment. Thanks to the support of many organizations, including New Chelsea Society, Vancouver Poppy Fund and Royal Canadian Legion #83 South Burnaby, there are now three apartments centrally located at Chelsea Towers and a total of 67 kidney patients have experienced the home-away-from-home atmosphere during their lengthy stays in Vancouver.

“It’s really comfortable here,” said Clare of the one-bedroom apartment she’s been sharing with her mom during this time of recovery. “The kitchen is really well equipped, and I love the décor. Thanks for making it possible for us.”

On January 19, 2006, Maria Thomsen, Executive Director of The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation presented a cheque for $2,000. to The Kidney Foundation, BC Branch, to help support the ongoing maintenance of the Kidney Suites.

“Without the financial support we receive from generous organizations like the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation we would not be able to maintain this much-needed service to BC’s kidney patients,” says Sharon Farrish, Director of Programs, The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch.

Thanks to The Kidney Foundation, BC Branch, and donors like The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation, Clare McDowell is well on her way to enjoying life as a “thirty something” career woman.

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TB Vets/Legion Foundation Keytag Program

Click here for Key Tag mail Out Letter

for larger version, click here

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2nd Vice President Dave Sinclair presents $10,000 cheque onbehalf of Legion Foundation to Linda Jones, President Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation. The money will go towards helping Veterans and Seniors in their care.