ta 15 PROJECTS SINCE 1984 Viedical foundatien | makes North Shore research a reality DO PETS have a therapeutic value to residents in tastitu- tions? What type of effect does exercise have during pregaaney? And does the newly-developed insulin infusion pump give sufferer of diabetes a new lease on life? These ae some of the questions being asked by dociors from Lions Gaate Hospital. The projects men- tioned above were among ES since 1984 that received funding from the Lions Gate Medical Research Foundation, “We won't be finding a cure for cancer, but what we are doing is trying 10 help our patients,” said Dr. Philip Cohen, who is also spearheading a local research pro- ject. CLINICAL RESEARCH Cohen is studying a method for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disorders. “‘The hospital has a wealth of information and we want to get at that,’? Cohen said. ‘‘Most of the research being done (at Lions Gate Hospital) is clinical research pro- jects, that have direct applications to patients coming to the hospi- tal.”” The Lions Gate Medical Foun- dation was set up in 1963 by former North Vancouver Mayor William Angus. with assistance from other North Shore in- dividuals. Their objective was to build a capital fund to provide a perpetual entowment for clinical research. Today that fund stands at $200,000. It generates between $12,000 and $20,000 cach year for By KIM PEMBERTON News Nepoorter resca veh projects, depending on how suuch extra can be rarsed fram add ional fund-raising: projects throughout the year, Foundation president John Gregory, of West Vancouver, said the five-year goal of organizers is to build the fund to $1 million, He said this amount would mean that more applications for research projects could be approved. SMALL GRANTS He said the money currently in the fund does net allow the foun- dation to make substantial grants, but added that does not mean the smaller grants have not helped. “In one case we led a doctor to a $25,000 grant from the B.C. government. Our seed money helped him make his proposal for the larger government grant,” said Gregory. The individual grants awarded to the foundation since 1984 have ranged from $i,000 to $5,342. Cohen received a $3,000 grant to study a relatively new technique in nuclear medicine and to apply it to diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. The test involves taking a blood sample of the patient, separating the white and red blood cells, and Labeling the white cells with a cae oaetye citer. Che white cells, Cohen cvplanicd. help taht dtscitse and UF there ist problem che cells would feavecl ta the ater ot the disorder, ON dector could then make aalhignesss, Cohen is compitring the accurae eyo oof thes test against the usual diagnosis method. which) requires the patient base an enema. iets abo comparing his results against those obtained from a computed fomognaphy scan. “Tt cthe enema method) isn't che most pleasant experience. (With the new test) all the patient has to do is tie on a table iid have photos taken of him. There’s nevhing un- conrfortable about it," * he said. NEW TREATMENT Cohen said although this radio- active labelling technique has been around for many years, no ane, to his knowledge, has applied it to detecting bowel disorders. He add- ed any new treatment must be fully documented before i: will be available to patients. “That's why we have a research foundation,”’ he said. ‘'There’s a lot of obvious things that should be done, but aren't because of a lack of funds.’’ If you would like to support the Lions Gate Medical Research Foundation by becoming a member or sending a donation, write to the foundation, care of Lions Gate Hospital, 1Sth Street at St. Georges, North Vancouver, V7L 2L7. NEWS photo Tom Burley LANCE EWING applies an oxygen mask to seven-year-old Chris Burk as partner Rick King and several eager Beavers look on. The ambulance attendants visited the Capilano 31 Beaver Group Thursday at Monteray Elementary School in North Vancouver. INDEX Business ........... 20 Classified Ads. . Boug Collins ... Bob Hunter......... 4 Lifestyles .......... 39 Mailbox...... Weather: Monday through Wednesday, periods of rain. Highs near 8°C. Editorial Page....... 6 Fashion............ 13 What's Going On... .36 - Sundus, Mareh 1, 1987 - North Shore News NEWS photo Mike Wakefisid ALLEN DAVENPORT, left, and Mike Pascoe, right, work desper- alely to breathe life into a dummy, centre. The North Shore Am- bulance Service recently displayed ambulance services at Park Royal Morth. The pair were on hand to show the latest in advanced life sup- port techniques. For more information on CPR courses and dates contact Peter Evans at 926-5541, IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE Vi 'V conference to tackle tough education issues AN EDUCATION conference designed to shake cobwebs from tired viewpoints and inspire educators, parents and students alike will be held March 6 and 7 at West Van- couver's Sentinel Secondary School. The Action for Excellence pro- duction, entitled Aiaking It Hap- pen, will feature keynote spea'ers Robert H. Waterman, Jr., author of In Search of Excellence, and UBC professor and Nature of Things host Dr. David Suzuki. Conference organizer Dan Miscisco savs the two-day event will also include 50 of the best and most inspicational educators from around B.C.: **People who are not afraid to make things happen in education."* Miscisco, acting principal of Capilano Elementary School, tormed Action for Excellence two years ago with Sentinel Secondary School principal Doug Player and Lynnmour Community School principal Gail Cretelli. The March conference will be the third Action for Excellence production and the first to run more than one day and feature speakers the stature of Waterman and Suzuki. “Irs going to be one of the largest and most prestigious educa- tion conferences in B.C.,"’ Miscisco said. ‘‘What we want to do is get teachers and parents ex- cited. We want them to leave here inspired and interested.” Making It Happen is the latest bloom from an idea planted by Miscisco three years ago when the enthusiastic educator decided there was a need for ‘ta new seminar, something different, something to inspire educators.” The first Action for Excellence seminar, held March 19, 1985, was a runaway success. Miscisco said about 400 educators had io be turned away. By TIMOTHY RENSHAW News Reporter A second equally successful Ac- tion for Excellence conference was held in November 1985 at Sentinel school. - Miscisco’s inspirational message was suddenly in demand. He took his lectures on the road on weekends, and has since spoken at schools and educators’ associations around the province. In April he will travel to Chicago to speak at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Miscisco estimated the cost to pur on the March 6 and 7 con- ference and a March 5 appearance by Waterman at the Hotel Van- couver will be about $45,000, but he said he does not expect Action for Excellence to lose money on either event. By Wednesiiuy, Miscisco said $28 of the approximately 600 available conference tickets had been sold. In addition to addresses by Waterman, whose topic will be Achieving Success Through Renewal, and Suzuki, whose topic will be Are We Educating for the 21st Century?, the conference will feature speciality workshops, lec- lures by representatives of local businesses, lunch and a Saturday afternoon wine and cheese deten- tion. For conference tickets call Doug Plaver at 922-3291, Parents can at- tend both days for $49. Tickets for Waterman’s Hotel Vancouver speech are available through VTC*’CBO outlets, 280- 4444.