F

UBC’S Palliative Care
will hold a forum on
March 3 and 4 to
inform the public and
dispel myths about
palliative care.

Palliative care is aimed at
relieving or alleviating illness
without curing. People with
terminal illnesses receive pal-
liative care.

The forum, called Making
Death a Part of Life, offers a

Heiping

THE B.C. Cancer
Agency has produced
an activity workbook
to help kids cope with
cancer diagnosis in the
family. -

The booklet is currently
being used in the children’s
support group classes held at
the Vancouver and Fraser
Vailey Cancer Centres and by
cancer centre counsellors.

The workbook can be
purchased for $10, plus ship-
ping costs through the
Vancouver cancer centre at
877-6098 local 2194.

The booklet, called Time
for Me, was produced by the
staff of the B.C. Cancer
Agency. It is aimed at help-
ing kids, with a family mem-

_ ber living with cancer, under-
stand the diagnosis of cancer
and cope creatively with the
cancer experience.

———— HEALTH —

way for people to have their
questions about death and
dying answered. Family
members, caregivers and
those facing chronic or termi-
nal illness are invited to hear
experts speak about issues
ranging from grief coun-
selling to pain management
to wills to funeral practices.
There will also be 26
exhibitors including the
North Shore’s Abreast in a
Boat which is a breast cancer
support group. = Other

exhibitors include the B.C.
Bereavement Foundation,
Canuck Place, Music Therapy
Association of B.C. and B.C.
Cancer Agency.

Last year, the forum
attracted hundreds of people
ranging from couples facing
the realities of aging parents
to healthcare professionals.

Dr. Romayne Gallagher,
acting head of Palliative Care

at the UBC Department of

Family Practice, said aware-
ness and knowledge are

rum aims to demysiify death and pal

essential to help people let go
of their fear of death.

Just like the besr births,
which happen when a woman
knows what to expect and
trusts those around her, the
same goes for the best experi-
ences for people in dying,
said Gallagher.

Palliative care provides
whole person support (physi-
cal, spiritual, emotional)
through a team of specialists.

Survey information gath-
ered at last year’s conference

Sunday, February 27, 2000 — North Shore News - 21

indicates the public hoids
many misconceptions about
palliative care issues. For
example, some attendees
believed those dying had lit-
de control over their caoice
of treatment. Next weekend’s
event will highlight choices
people have regarding health
care and treatment.

Kim Soo, exhibit coordi-
nator for Making Death a
Part of Life, discovered pal-
liative care support while car-
ing for her terminally ill

kids cope with cancer in the family

It can be difficult enough
for an adult to understand a
diagnosis of cancer, let alone
a child.

The activity workbook,
for children ages six to 12,
focuses on the special bond
between children and their
family; provides answers to
questions children common-
ly ask about cancer; looks at
changes that may have
occurred in family life and
provides tips for children on
coping with the illness.

One of the writers of the
workbook, art therapist June
Slakov said many parents and
children find it difficult to
talk about cancer, or even to
know where to begin. -

She said the diagnosis of
cancer affects everyone in a
family, even the youngest
members. This activity book
can Provide a starting point
for discussion, she said.

The workbook contains
art, music, writing and other
activities.

Nurse Karen Janes, who
provided the informational
component of the workbook,
said cancer is a very powerful
word, even for children.

She said it was a reality
that many young children, or
their friends, have had some-
one in their family diagnosed
with cancer, whether that is 2
parent, sibling, grandparent
or an aunt or uncle.

Janes said children should
be provided with accurate
information about cancer.

Children may imagine the
worst when they don’t have
the information they need.

Janes said some children
feel it’s their fault their mom
or dad got sick because in a
moment of anger they may
have said something cruel.

Or they may have over-

heard a parent saying: stress
contributed to their cancer,
and because the child may
have be fighting with a sib-
ling, they blame themselves
for causing the stress.
Included in the workbook
are strategies for children
when they are feeling low.
Janes said it is important
for kids to realize they will

experience a range of emo-
tions during their parent's
illness.

It’s important for kids to
play even when times are dif-
ficult.

They should have fun and
not feel guilty about that.
They can watch a funny
video or make cookies or
sleep over at a friend’s house.

DR. DEBRA ROVINELLI
DR. BART McROBERTS
DR. CORINNE KNIGHT
DR. NANCY HARDIN

WEST VANCOUVER OPTOMETRY CLINIC

925-2525

1069 24th Street
(24th & Haywood)

Saturday and evening appointments available.

liative care

mother. Soo said it was a
relief to know that people
who specialized in this type
of care could help make her
mother comforcable. The ill
woman's remaining days and
energy were thus centered on
enjoying the company of
those she loved, said Soo.

The forum takes place at
Robson Square Conference
Centre, 800 Pudson St. (at
Howe). Entrancs is by dona-
tions. For more information
call 822-1603.

Good NEWS

Treatment:

e Pains
e Weight
Loss

Testimonials:
° When my treatment started at the
Clinic. The pain is much less, f'm able
to move more easily. The years of
muscle, elbow and joint pain—nw
diagnosed as Fibromyolgia—has
pecisted in various ways for about
forty (40) years, No other qeatment
have given me its much relief as the
acupuncture. My decision Ww wy
acupuncture was 2 gond ane,
Joan S{N. Var)
* The care given at the Wang
Acupuncture Clinic has helped me feel
very well and kee GLS Ibs with ewe.
Afiriarm L (Burnaby)

Gmore lestiinonials will follow)

WANG
ACUPUNCTURE
CLINIC
159 E 15th St., N. Van

Call 984-7688

i@ Organic and Natural Food Store

Effective Dates Feb. 28 - Mar. 5, 2660

Toupie
Hams 2s.

STORE HOURS
BION TO FRI S4M TO OPH

aioe
* Produse + Geet . Dairy « Broads Milk

SAT &SUN SAH TO 7PM TEL? inelalthrhadiaialll

3030 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver
rax: 987-Gi55

yf