NEWS photo Pau! McGrath Beach access PETER Termansen (foreground) tries out a wheeichair adapted for beach use that will be available at no charge next summer at Ambleside Park. The beach wheel- chairs were provided by West Vancouver Parks arid Community Services. Patty Clark, recreation access coordinator, tries a wheelchair on the plastic pathway. Visitors to France get blood alert HEALTH Canada recently issued a directive requiring anyone who has spent a cumulative total of six months or more in France between the years 1980 and 1996 be deferred from donating blood and plasma in Canada. This new requirement follows the same prin- ciples as the policy directive issued in August 1999 stipulating that blood donors be deferred if they had spent a cumulative total of six months or more in the United Kingdom during the same period. This measure is being taken to reduce the the- oretical risk of transmission through the blood supply of the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vC}D), the human equivalent of what is com- monly known as “mad cow disease.” Canadian Blood Services, Hema-Quebee, and CanGene, a Winnipeg-based manufacturer of plasma derivatives, have three months to imple- ment the directive. This action is being taken to ensure the best balance between the theoretical risk of transmis- sion of VCJD through blood and plasma and the real risk of creating a shortage in Canada’ s blood supply, according to Health Canada. The original United Kingdom-related direc- tive is still in place. This is an additional directive deferring donors who have spent extended peri- ods of ime in France. The ovo directives, though related, are separate. Health Canada is not requir- ing the deferral of individuals who have spent a combined cumulative total of six months in France and the United Kingdom during the peri- od in question. In other words, the regulator is not asking the blood agencies to defer someone who may have spent, fur instance, a cumulative total of three months in France and three months in the United Kingdom during the period 1980 to 1996. Health Canada officials state the policy diree- tive is based on the best international scientific evidence currently available and is in keeping with the established Health Canada policy of taking precautionary measures when any risk, even a theoretical one, presents itself to the health of Canadians. As of Aug. 4, Health Canada reports that it appears that there are three cases of vCJD in France and at least 79 in the United Kingdom. These cases have been linked to the consumption of beef from cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Health Canada states that there has never been a reported case of transmission of vCJD through a blood wansfusion or the use of plasma derivatives, And there has never been a confirmed ease of vC]D anywhere in Canada. — Health Canada This study will tese whether femHRT*, a hormone replacement therapy can prevent skin changes (wrinkles) associated with aging and menopause. FemHRT is an investigational medication that will be compared to a placebo. REQUIREMENTS: + Healthy women 45 to 60 years of age who have been postmenopausal for at least 6 months. + Able to attend 7 office visits over a 7 month period. * Willing to have a mammogram, pelvic exam, pap smear and transvaginal ultrasound. - Volunteers must not have had or used any prohibited therapies or medical cosmetic enhancements. 875-5555 Ext. #63712 HONORARIUM WILL BE PAID ie Organic and Natural Food Store Effective Dates Sept 1i - - Sept 17, 2600 STORE HOURS -MON TO FRE SAM TO SPM SAT & SUN SAM TO TPE TELS Organic * Produce ° Beef ° Rae "E gs ° Dairy Chicken > Milk * Breads it Spring Lamb 3030 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver rax: 937-6155 3&8 @ 6644