Community Services
Striving for a better Canada
Dr. John Crocker, Kidney Research
For many years our IODE chapters across the province have collected and donated in excess of $120,000 for kidney research at the IWK-Grace Hospital. Much of this money has been raised through our Nickel-A-Meal program where each member donates one nickel for each meal consumed during July and August (we really do like to eat).
Dr. John Crocker, head of Kidney Research at the IWK-Grace speaks very kindly of the assistance we have given his research since 1975. “The IODE over the years has been instrumental in allowing kidney disease research in children to flourish in Atlantic Canada. With one of the highest incidence of kidney disease in Canada, children in this region have been privileged to have a group of people support ideas for better medical care. Some of the areas where they have played a role are in polycystic kidney disease research, allowed the study of influenza virus, why certain children who had kidney transplants were at risk of serious herpes virus infections and how looking early at children at risk for potential kidney disease can help make his/her adult life better. These are only some of the areas in which the long term interest and encouragement of kidney research has been helped by the gifts from IODE. It is a fact that they have played a large role in making our laboratory successful nationally and internationally." Services Work in Labrador
Each year, we endeavor to donate
equipment, furnishings, clothing, bedding and food in addition to other
amenities to local community transition houses, Boys and Girls Clubs, crisis enters, hospitals,
nursing homes, daycare centers, schools, Rehab Centers and families in need of
assistance.
Many shipments of sweaters, hats, scarves, mitten, quilts, baby clothes, layettes, afghans, school and school supplies are distributed each year to Melville Hospital (Goose Bay, Labrador), J.C. Erhardt School (Makkovik, Labrador) and Amos Comenius Memorial School (Hopedale, Labrador). "Thank you for the baby and children's clothes that are sent periodically. It is greatly appreciated by staff and patients. It is like receiving a pot of gold when a parcel is received." Assistance to the IWK - Grace Hospital
Good Samaritan Fund
The Good Samaritan Fund was set up by the
IODE to assist the hospital social workers in resolving minor financial needs
comforting both inpatients and outpatients at the QEII HSC Social Workers, as
members of the health care team, provide counseling, referral and educational/information
services to assist patients and families understand and manage medical,
psychological, social and practical concerns.
The fund is accessed when there are no other alternative resources. From April to December, 2013 the Good Samaritan Fund assisted seventy-six (76) patients totaling $1563. The requests during this period can be broken down as follows: 40% transportation/gas, 22% personal care services/items, 16% groceries/miscellaneous, 13% medications/equipment, 9% comfort items (TV, books, puzzles, etc). The Good Samaritan Fund is a valued resource in having patients immediate financial needs addressed. Poverty increases the levels of emotional distress for patients and their families who are trying to cope with health concerns and hospitalization. Being able to assist in even small ways is so beneficial. Without the generosity of the IODE, having the ability to support patients in time of medical, social and financial crisis would not be possible! “I would like to thank the IODE for their ongoing support of the Good Samaritan Fund and indeed is the major contributor. Having the fund available has enabled QEII social workers to assist many patients and their families over the years. The social work staff are very appreciative of your generosity in supporting the Good Samaritan Fund.” |
