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Every year in Northwestern Ontario, thousands of people require lifesaving treatment for cancer, which could mean staying in Thunder Bay for weeks at a time. In this sparsely populated region – the size of France – Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is the only site where regional patients can receive cancer treatment. The whole experience can be daunting, overwhelming, and scary: Tbaytel Tamarack House is just the port in a storm that regional patients need.

While local people can receive their cancer treatments at TBRHSC and then go home, regional patients have to contend with travel on winter roads or flying out of a northern community, and figuring out all the logistics of living away from home – sometimes for weeks or even months. Any cancer diagnosis is terrible, but the haven of Tbaytel Tamarack House can really help.

On the fifth floor of the Thunder Bay Medical Centre, patients arrive to a friendly attendant who greets them and shows them their comfortable accommodations with private bath, a spacious and well-equipped kitchen, bright sunny lounge areas, a small exercise facility, a laundry area – basically, all the comforts of home, just steps away from the hospital. But Tbaytel Tamarack House is more than just a place to stay.

Patients and families meet, talk, laugh, play games, gather around the piano, share meals, and support one another. If patients are staying alone, other families often check in with them, or people make connections and end up carpooling back and forth from their regional communities together. Previous guests insist that it’s not a sad place: it’s upbeat, it’s helping each other out, it’s group therapy, it’s family. Without Tbaytel Tamarack House, this atmosphere just wouldn’t happen.

From the start, Tbaytel saw the benefit of helping patients help each other and got involved with Tamarack House. When the Home Away from Home campaign was launched in 2004 to raise funds to complete the interior of Tamarack House, people, businesses, charitable organizations, and community groups generously stepped forward to donate, and Tbaytel, looking for meaningful ways to take care of its neighbourhood, stepped forward with a pledge of $100,000 and received naming rights.

Tbaytel Tamarack House charges the amount the Northern Health Travel Grant gives and patients don’t have to pay until they are reimbursed, so they’re never out of pocket. The goal is always to ensure there is no cost to regional cancer patients and families.

The loss of a place like Tbaytel Tamarack House could be the deciding factor for someone who needs cancer treatment away from home. It’s more than a hotel room. It’s a place where regional patients can stay and feel safe and supported in their medical journey.

Thousands of regional patients who come to Thunder Bay for treatment every year benefit from Tbaytel’s commitment to take care of its neighbourhood. It’s not every telecom provider that gives back so steadfastly and mindfully to the region it serves. Tbaytel customers can go ahead and feel good about choosing to support Tbaytel, because they’re also choosing to support their community.

Tbaytel Tamarack House’s fee structure and outlook means that it needs help to keep the doors open, with assistance from corporate sponsorships from organizations such as Tbaytel, or donations from individuals, groups or businesses. If you can give, or have a fundraising idea, please contact the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation @ 807-345-4673, email info@healthsciencesfoundation.ca  or visit www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/tamarack

Tamarack House: 807-684-7799 | Toll-Free 1-877-696-7223 ext 7799 | tamarack@tbh.net

It’s National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize, celebrate and thank the volunteers who contribute to our Hospital and Health Sciences Foundation.

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Paul Carr has been a Patient Family Advisor (PFA) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre since November 2012. Working mainly within the Cardiovascular and Stroke Program, Paul generously donates his time and knowledge, and brings the patient perspective – which is instrumental in helping to improve the patient experience.

Paul was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and raised in Thunder Bay. In his professional career, Paul spent 37 years in the education field as a teacher, principal and university lecturer. He is also a past President of the Catholic Principals Council of Ontario.

When asked why he became a Patient Family Advisor, Paul responded, “I was absolutely amazed at the outstanding level of care I received throughout my patient journey. The caring and compassion were incredible! I thought that the best way to say thank you was to volunteer as a PFA to support those professionals who work in our hospital to try to improve patient outcomes.”

Paul is active member of the PFA Council, where he is a positive role model for others. He currently serves on the Accreditation Team, the Ethics Committee and the Cardiovascular & Stroke Working Group – which is working to bring full cardiovascular services to TBRHSC. “This is a really exciting project as it will improve the outcomes for so many patients in Thunder Bay, and Northwestern Ontario. It is a privilege to bring the patient experience to this project,” says Paul.

Paul recently represented PFAs as part of the Strategic Planning Team. “The pandemic has been a very challenging time for the Hospital, its patients and staff,” says Paul. “I am looking forward to the implementation of the new Strategic Plan that will help support staff, bring equity and inclusion and improve patient experience at our Hospital. I think that the plan is really good and I am looking forward to participating in that as a volunteer.”

Paul notes that supporting other patients in his role as a PFA is a very rewarding experience. “I always get more than I give,” says Paul.

When Paul is not volunteering his time as a PFA, he enjoys being out at camp or on the golf course during the summer months and coaching youth at the curling rink during the winter months.

There are numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding organ and tissue donation for transplantation. We hope that by busting some of these myths more people will register to be organ and tissue donors.

A Patient Family Advisor (PFA) is a volunteer that has chosen to make a difference in the experience of care of others by donating their time, sharing their expertise and previous experiences of care to help us understand what we are doing well and where there is opportunity for improvement.

PFAs work at all levels within Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Since beginning our Patient & Family Centred Care (PFCC) journey over a decade ago, PFAs have participated on thousands of councils, committees and working groups including the Senior Leadership Council, Patient Safety Quality of Care Committee of the Board and the Medical Advisory Committee, to name a few. They also participate on hiring panels for leadership positions and work on the development and/or review of TBRHSC policies and patient education.

For the 70 PFAs that volunteer at TBRHSC, the work did not stop for them during the COVID-19 pandemic; we just shifted to a virtual platform until we can get together in person once again.

PFAs are an amazing group of committed, reliable and passionate volunteers who are willing to share their insights about care experiences. PFAs help us in ways that we, as an organization, can learn from and implement changes in how we provide care to make it better.

PFAs are the heart of PFCC, and together we work to make the experience better for others.

Whether you are in high school, college or university, are retired or work in or out of the home, whatever your interest, we have a place for you. Consider joining our PFA team.

For more information, please contact PFCC@tbh.net or call (807) 684-7322.

There are numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding organ and tissue donation for transplantation. We hope that by busting some of these myths more people will register to be organ and tissue donors.

Visit www.beadonor.ca for more information.

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week takes place from April 24-30, and is an opportunity to not only celebrate donors and transplantation but to also raise awareness about organ and tissue donation, and to encourage people to register as donors if they haven’t already.

This week, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is joining others to raise awareness about the critical need for more organ and tissue donors in our community and across the country.

Today, more than 1,600 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a lifesaving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. Some patients have been on dialysis for years; others are waiting for lungs to breathe on their own again; while others have burns so severe that they require skin grafts. TBRHSC is committed to helping increase the number of registered donors.

“Organ and tissue donations are life-saving and life-enhancing,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of TBRHSC and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute. “While the decision to become an organ and tissue donor is a personal one, each day our staff, physicians and volunteers meet patients whose lives are forever changed by organ and tissue donation. Participating in this campaign is just one way that our Hospital can help to raise awareness.”

In 2021, a total of 16 lives were saved in Ontario because of the generosity of seven organ donors at TBRHSC. Those donors allowed four lung transplants, six kidney transplants, four liver transplants, one heart transplanted, and one pancreas transplanted.

By registering to become a donor, you can have the power to save or change someone’s life. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance as many as 75 more through the gift of tissue.

“By registering your consent, you are making the caring and selfless decision to try and help save other lives after your death through organ and tissue donation”, said Kiley Perrier, Trillium Gift of Life Network’s Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinator at TBRHSC. “By recording your wishes now and talking with your family, you are relieving them of the burden of making this decision on your behalf.”

Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) is a not-for-profit agency of the Government of Ontario. TGLN plans, promotes, coordinates and supports organ and tissue donation and transplantation across Ontario. TGLN provides Ontarians with tools and supports to help them make informed decisions around organ and tissue donation for transplantation. They also work closely with the health care professionals at TBRHSC to support families grieving the loss of a loved one and guide them through the donation process.

National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week provides an ideal opportunity to consider becoming an organ and tissue donor. Have the conversation with your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of others. Find out more and register at www.beadonor.ca.  It only takes two minutes to potentially save or enhance many lives.

National Volunteer Week (April 24-30): Thank You Volunteers!

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From April 24 to 30, 2022, Volunteer Canada, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), and Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation (TBRHSF) celebrate Canada’s 24 million volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

This annual celebration is a time to thank and recognize volunteers from coast to coast to coast. This year’s theme Volunteering is Empathy in Action highlights how this profoundly human connection is at the heart of healthier individuals and stronger communities.

Empathy is a quality that can help people relate to others and build awareness around different experiences. It connects people in ideas and actions and helps create bonds forged in common goals and aspirations. 

TBRHSC volunteers, like staff, have had to adapt to new ways of doing things, like wearing surgical masks and eye protection at all times while on-site, self-screening before each shift, and continuing to be extremely vigilant about hand hygiene.

They did adapt. Why? Because they wanted to be here for patients, families, and staff.

Volunteers contribute in countless ways to support patient and family centred care at TBRHSC and TBRHSF, as Hospital and Foundation volunteers and Patient Family Advisors (PFAs).

At this time of year, we make a special effort to recognize volunteer contributions who give so generously of their time in departments and services throughout the Hospital, including the Patient Clothing Cupboard, OR Family Waiting Area, Pacemaker Clinic, Rehabilitation Transport, Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation, Seasons Gift Shop (including the Jewellery Gallery), Volunteer Association, Regional Cancer Care Northwest, Surgical Day Care, Pre-Admission, Renal Services, Emergency Department, the Courtyard Gardens, Endo Charts, Wayfinding Service, and the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), to name just a few.

During National Volunteer Week, we have asked staff to submit their messages of thanks for a specific volunteer or the whole team, and several senior leaders of our Hospital will be shadowing a few volunteers to get to know them better and to see how they help improve the experience of patients and families everyday.

Volunteers demonstrate that volunteering can “help us develop empathy, to see the world through the eyes of others. It can connect people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, expanding our views. It can build our capacity to work collectively and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive society” (Volunteer Canada). 

Visit www.tbrhsc.net and go to the section ‘Join our Team’ to find more information about volunteering at the Hospital or e-mail volunteering@tbh.net or call 684-6266.

Patient Family Advisors volunteer to share their valuable insights and first-hand knowledge of how the Hospital’s services impact patients. Patient Family Advisors help us meet the needs and priorities of our patients, families and community. They have direct input and influence the policies, programs and practices that shape the care and services that people receive. Visit the website www.tbrhsc.net and go to the section ‘Join our Team’ to find more information or contact: (807) 684-7322 or e-mail: PFCC@tbh.net.

Volunteers are also critical to the success of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. They help make a healthier Northwestern Ontario by providing administrative assistance, assisting with special events, and selling raffle tickets at various locations throughout the region. At this time we currently do not have our volunteers on site since we have not been able to host in person events. We hope to have our volunteers back as we plan to begin hosting in person events in the near feature. We cannot wait to see everyone! Volunteers can help make a healthier Northwestern Ontario by assisting with one of our many special events or selling raffle tickets at various locations throughout the region, to name just a few opportunities.

To sign up as a volunteer with the Foundation, call 345-4673 or email volunteers@healthsciencesfoundation.ca.

Volunteers are the backbone of any organization, and they are an essential link to the community. We value what they do to make the patient experience better.

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we want to thank all of the Volunteers who help make a difference for patients and families.

Laundry and Linen Appreciation Week occurs during the last full week of April and is an opportunity to recognize an important group of behind-the-scenes champions at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Join us in thanking everyone in our Laundry and Linen Department for their hard work, tireless effort and vital contribution to the patient care experience.

It’s the last week to purchase tickets for the April Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw, and the jackpot is over $625,000.  The Grand Prize Draw is Friday, and another huge payout is expected. All proceeds from the April draw will help fund improvements and upgrades in the cancer centre at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. 

 “100% of the proceeds from the April draw are going towards equipment purchases and upgrades in the cancer centre in our Hospital. Having access to the best equipment not only makes our jobs easier, but helps us to provide the best care to our patients,” says Jolene Jarva, Radiation Therapist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “By purchasing 50/50 tickets this month, you’re not only getting a chance to win, but also helping support patients through every step of their cancer journey.”

The grand prize draw is happening on Friday, April 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. ET, ticket sales close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 28, 2022.  Tickets are available online only at www.thunderbay5050.ca.    

Questions about the draw can be sent to info@thunderbay5050.ca. Ticket purchasers must be present in Ontario to purchase and 18 years old or older. The Thunder Bay 50/50 continues each month with the Grand Prize drawn on the last Friday of the month.

2022 Lottery licence RAF1222518

Individuals living in colder climates have higher rates of stress, depression, and frustration as the winter months continue into late April and early May. These feelings, sometimes called the Winter Blues, could affect an individual’s entire sense of well-being.

Dr. Mario Nucci, a local family physician, practicing in mental health, will raise awareness of mental well-being and discuss the importance of beating the blues while offering recommendations to help improve your overall health.

Dr. Nucci’s presentation is part of Northern Heart’s “Virtual Talk with Doc” programming that focuses on providing education to help reduce heart disease in Northwestern Ontario. The online webinar will utilize the Zoom platform and be held on Thursday, April 28th, from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

There are no fees to attend but registration is requested. There will be an opportunity to engage with Dr. Nucci following their presentation.

Please use this link to register for the free webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Kq96iAl6TzKkUN2Ig9FT1A

For further questions or concerns please contact Kayla Waddington, Program Coordinator, Northern Hearts at northernhearts@tbaytel.net