Now that Spring has sprung, and summer fun is just around the corner, the Prostate Cancer Support Windsor/Essex Steering Committee (SC) would like to update you on our upcoming program and some of the initiatives that we are progressing with this year.

April Monthly Meeting – Our April meeting was excellent, thanks to a great presentation by Jenny McGregor from the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. 

 We were also very happy to be recognized as one of the top fundraising teams for the Foundation’s 2021 “Grow-On” fundraising campaign, which raised over $250,000 this year.  Our thanks to Jim Fair and Guy Jolin, who organized our team’s participation, and thank-you again to all who donated!!!!

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Support Group Meeting

Please join us as we meet again, in person, for our May meeting at the Hospice.  We welcome our guest speaker Tim Brady, Pharmacist and Owner of Brady’s Drug Stores in Belle River, Essex and Tilbury, and currently the Chair of Board of Directors for the Ontario Pharmacists Association. Tim’s talk will cover topics such as the latest medicines related to Prostate Cancer, Incontinence, and Erectile Dysfunction.  As well, he’ll comment on the government of Ontario’s proposal to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice to assess and treat minor ailments.  Please be aware that COVID restrictions remain in place at the Hospice.

Saturday, June 18, 2022 Spring BBQ

This June we would like to try something different and special.  Rather than a traditional Tuesday meeting at the Hospice, we are planning a BBQ get-together at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594, 5030 Howard Ave., Oldcastle, ON N9H 0M3 on Saturday, June 18th @ 5 p.m.  This licenced venue turned out to be excellent for our Xmas party.  The current plan calls for Burgers/Fries (approx. $15), Sausages/Fries (appox $12.50), and Hotdogs/Fries (appox $10).  We want this event to include members, their families & friends of all ages, and special stakeholders such as our friends at Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH), Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, Hospice, etc.  Please mark your calendars and let us know how many guests you plan to bring so that we can make sure the caterer is prepared.  Please also let us know other special stakeholders who we should consider inviting.

Participation in Community Events

This year we participated again in the “Play for a Cure” fundraising event at the Vollmer Centre.  This charity was able to raise over $400K in support of local cancer research; money raised from the event will go to the local Cancer Research Collaboration Fund.  Thanks to Don B., Dennis E., Jim F., Jim L., Garry L., Murray M., Phil S., Noel W., and Wayne Z. for volunteering your time!!! 

  We also provided volunteer support to the Hospice “Dove Pin” Campaign; the Hospice is pleased to announce that over $35K was raised to help support Hospice patients and families!  Thank-you to Jim & Mabsy Fair and Murray McLennan for devoting their time.  We look forward to participating in other future related events and campaigns.

Awareness Presentations to Organizations – Garry recently presented awareness briefings to the WRH Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and the local chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP).  These were very well received and he will soon be presenting to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594 and Canterbury College.  If you are aware of other organizations that may want a presentation, please let us know.

Golf Shirts and Baseball Caps –

We are investigating ordering Golf Shirts and Baseball Caps with our new logo.  If you are interested in buying shirts or caps, please let us know so we can judge how many to order.

Community Awareness Events Booth – It is our long-term plan to man an awareness booth at hockey games and other events.  In preparation, we are planning to have a professionally made banner stand and other associated “marketing” material.  Again, we would welcome any ideas; we also ask that you solicit potential donors to help fund these “marketing” aids.  In the future, we will be asking for volunteers to man the booth at events.

Peer Facilitator Training – Several of our SC members will be taking Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) Peer Facilitator training.  This training will equip peer facilitators with essential information and best practices to achieve high quality and sustainable peer support groups.

Financial Manager – We are still looking for a financial manager to relieve some workload off current SC members.  If you are interested, please let us know.

Webmaster – We are still looking for a webmaster to relieve some workload off current SC members.  If you are interested, please let us know.Garry

Garry W. Loeper, CD, MScEng, PCIP, PMP, PEng
e-mail: gwloeper@gmail.com
cell: (613) 913-4799

Please join us as we meet again, in person, for our May 10, 2022 Support Group Meeting at Hospice.

We welcome our guest speaker Tim Brady, Pharmacist and Owner of Brady’s Drug Stores in Belle River, Essex and Tilbury.

Tim’s talk will cover topics such as the latest medicines related to Prostate Cancer, Incontinence, and Erectile Dysfunction.  As well, he’ll comment on the government of Ontario’s proposal to expand pharmacists’ scope of practice to assess and treat minor ailments, such as pink eye, eczema, and urinary tract infections for patients across the province.

Most people will tell you Tim’s just a really nice guy who is easy to talk to. But he’s done a lot of other neat stuff too. He has been a practicing pharmacist since 2000. He has worked in hospitals, large pharmacy chains, and independent pharmacies in both Canada and the United States before opening Brady’s Drug Store in 2014. Tim is currently the Chair of Board of Directors for the Ontario Pharmacists Association, and is a Past President of the Essex County Pharmacists Association and former Ontario College of Pharmacy Accreditation Committee Member. Tim also sits on the Public Advisory Committee for St. Clair College’s Pharmacy Technician program and has presented previously to Prostate Cancer Support Windsor/Essex. And if that isn’t enough, he does national and provincial talks to pharmacy colleagues on patient-centred care.

Tim has received awards for Excellence in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Leadership from Ferris State University in Michigan, and was the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2012. Tim was also part of the Rotary Vocational Training Team that same year, and travelled to East Timor to help set up rural pharmacies and drug distribution networks.

Please join us Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 7pm at Hospice of Windsor/Essex County, 6038 Empress St., Windsor, ON.

COVID Screening Forms – We are still required to fill out COVID screening forms prior to entry.  In order to expedite the process and reduce any bottleneck at the Hospice entrance, we have attached a blank COVID screening form.  We ask that you print, sign, and bring the form with you if you plan to attend.  Guy Jolin will also be at the door to help the Hospice staff.  Again, we continue to monitor the Hospice requirements and update you should they change.

Save the Date: Saturday, June 18th @ 5 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594, 5030 Howard Ave., Oldcastle, ON N9H 0M3

Join us for a casual evening to kick off the summer season. Watch for further details to follow, along with news and updates on some of our recent activities.

Hello fellow members of Prostate Cancer Support Windsor/Essex.  The purpose of this communique is to update you on our upcoming meeting at 7:00pm this Tuesday 12 April 2022.

Food/Drink – Unfortunately, we are still not yet allowed to bring food or drink to the Hospice at this time.  “Dad’s” cookies and bottles of water will be available.

Presentation – It is currently planned to have a presentation by the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation (www.windsorcancerfoundation.org/about-us/).  The speaker will be Jenny McGregor (Manager of Fundraising).  Our group receives lots of important support from the Foundation who also run the annual “Grow On” campaign that we fully endorse; we look forward to their presentation.

Women-Only Session – If time permits and if there is a desire, Maureen Dennis will host a women-only break-out session.  If time does not permit, depending upon the length of the presentation, we hope to have periodic women-only sessions at future monthly meetings.  The Steering Committee is keenly interested in your thoughts regarding such sessions; we encourage your feedback.

This will be the first time in a while since we have had a live speaker, so it is very important that we have a large turn-out.  We look forward to seeing you!

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions. 

COVID Screening Forms – We are still required to fill out COVID screening forms prior to entry.  In order to expedite the process and reduce any bottleneck at the Hospice entrance, we have attached a blank COVID screening form.  We ask that you print, sign, and bring the form with you if you plan to attend next Tuesday.  Guy Jolin will also be at the door to help the Hospice staff.  Again, we continue to monitor the Hospice requirements and update you should they change.

Happy Spring!

Spring is a time for new growth as the earth awakens from its winter sleep, crocuses and snow drops are peeking up in the gardens.  It’s also a time for us to emerge from our winter hibernation.

Stay tuned for information about our April 12th Support Group Meeting!

In the meantime, we invite you to check out upcoming presentations from

Prostate Cancer Support Canada

Prostate Cancer: Why Exercise Matters MARCH 29TH, 2022 | 2PM ET Dr. Kristin Campbell of UBC and SIRvivor BC will be speaking on ‘Exercise: Why does this matter to men after a prostate cancer diagnosis.’ We will also hear from Vince Schiralli of Butts in a Boat who will speak on our new initiative, Butts in Motion, which aims to improve the survival, and quality of life, of men diagnosed with prostate cancer through fitness, support, and camaraderie. Register now

Partners in Prostate – Partner-Only Support Group MARCH 30TH, 2022 | 9PM ET Prostate cancer is commonly referred to as a couple’s disease, due to its impact on not just prostate cancer patients, but their partners as well. Join us at this partners-only meeting for a chance to share about your journey and learn from the experience of others going through this too. First time attendees will be given priority to share.  Can’t make it to a meeting? Check out the Partners in Prostate website for 24/7 support and resources. Register now

Prostate Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease MARCH 30TH, 2022 | 7PM ET This presentation, hosted by Prostate Cancer Support Toronto, will describe how many men with prostate cancer will develop cardiovascular disease; the role of hormonal therapy in promoting cardiovascular disease and whether some forms of hormonal therapy are better than others.  Dr. Darryl Leong, MBBS(Hons), MPH, M.BioStat, PhD, FRACP, FESC will present. Register now

*NEW!* Advanced Prostate Cancer APRIL 13TH, 2022 | 7PM ET After an incredible first meeting on March 9th, the advanced prostate cancer support group leaders are pleased to invite you to their next monthly meeting.  This group aims to meet the unique needs of advanced prostate cancer patients through the sharing of information and support. Advanced prostate cancer patients can include anyone with cancer that has spread (metastatic)with a castrate-resistant cancer (no longer responds to first-line ADT)with a high-risk or complex diagnosisNew participants will be given priority to discuss their situation. Partners and support people welcome. Read all about the advanced prostate cancer support group team here. Register now

Active Surveillance Nationwide APRIL 14TH, 2022 | 7:30PM ET Our nationwide Active Surveillance support group aims to bring together prostate cancer patients and advocates across Canada. This groups goal is to empower men newly diagnosed with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer to make informed decisions with their physicians on active surveillance as a treatment option.  Register now   Sign up for the Active Surveillance mailing list.

*INTERNATIONAL* – Your Voice in the Future of Active Surveillance APRIL 22ND, 2022 | 11:00AM ET Do you want to see where active surveillance is heading? Do you have some views you want to share? ASPI and AnCan have partnered with Prostate Cancer BC and other prostate cancer advocates and organizations to offer this international webinar on Active Surveillance. Several top doctors and patients will be speaking including Canadian Active Surveillance pioneer,  Dr. Laurence Klotz Register now

Hello fellow members of Prostate Cancer Support Windsor/Essex.  Hopefully the nastiest part of our harsh winter is behind us and we can look forward to spring just around the corner.  

Equally hopeful is the continued relaxing of COVID related restrictions.  The current state of constraints allow us to once again continue our monthly meetings at the Hospice; thankfully, we are now able to have our next meeting at 7:00pm next Tuesday 8 March 2022.

Food/Drink – At this point, we are not yet allowed to bring food or drink to the hospice, but we continue to monitor the Hospice restrictions and will update you should they change.

COVID Screening Forms – In addition, we are still required to fill out COVID screening forms prior to entry.  In order to expedite the process and reduce any bottleneck at the Hospice entrance, we have attached a blank COVID screening form.  We ask that you print, sign, and bring the form with you if you plan to attend next Tuesday.  Guy Jolin will also be at the door to help the Hospice staff.  Again, we continue to monitor the Hospice requirements and update you should they change.

Presentation – It is currently planned to have a presentation by the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation (www.windsorcancerfoundation.org/about-us/).  The speaker may be Houida Kassem, the Executive Director, or another designate speaker.  Our group receives lots of important support from the Foundation who also run the annual “Grow On” campaign that we fully endorse; we look forward to their presentation.

Women-Only Session – If time permits and there if there is a desire, Maureen Dennis will host a women-only break-out session.  If time does not permit, depending upon the length of the presentation, we hope to have periodic women-only sessions at future monthly meetings.  The Steering Committee is keenly interested on your thoughts regarding such sessions; we encourage your feedback.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.  
Cheers,

Garry

Stay tuned for information about our March 8th Support Group Meeting!

In the meantime, we invite you to check out upcoming presentations across Canada. The link below will take you to the Prostate Cancer Support Canada calendar.

https://prostatecancerbc.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a14f02861ddacdbff63d2e318&id=d62b974a54&e=3d4e61964d

No Support Group Meeting In February

A message from Garry:

Now that the holiday season is behind us, the Prostate Cancer Support Windsor/Essex Steering Committee would like to update you on our upcoming program and some of the initiatives that we are progressing with this year.

Christmas Party & Spring BBQ – We would like to thank those who came to the Christmas Party at the Legion Branch 594 in December.  It turned out to be an excellent event, with music provided by Joe Perry, and the venue worked out very well. We are currently contemplating a spring barbeque; if you have any thoughts or suggestions, such as where, please let us know.

February Meeting Canceled – Unfortunately, COVID restrictions prevent us from having an in-person meeting in February.  The Hospice will remain closed and many potential speakers are only able to present using ZOOM.  To date, ZOOM meetings have not been popular with our membership, so we will cross our fingers and wait ’til March for our next meeting.

March Meeting – For the March meeting, we are planning to have a women-only session in addition to a speaker.  Therefore please invite your significant others.  If you have any ideas for our March meeting, please let us know.

Community Awareness Brochures – We have been actively networking with the Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) and the Windsor Cancer Centre (WCC) Foundation.  The WRH has printed and delivered our new brochures internally and the WCC paid to print brochures for us. It is our plan to have these delivered to local urologists’ offices and available for community events.

Community Awareness Events Booth – It is our long-term plan to man an awareness booth at company health fairs, hockey games and other events.  In preparation, we are planning to have a professionally made banner stand and other associated “marketing” material.  Again, we would welcome any ideas; we also ask that you solicit potential donors to help fund these “marketing” aids.  In the future, we will be asking for volunteers to man the booth.

Financial Manager – We are currently looking for a financial manager to relieve some workload off current steering committee members.  If you are interested, please let us know.

The steering committee has been working hard in the background to meet our mission and goals; we really do rely on ideas and feedback from the membership.  Please do not hesitate to get involved.  We look forward to an exciting year!

Garry

Upcoming Presentations

Don’t miss these upcoming virtual support group meetings and presentations! 
Register now at the links below. 

Tuesday, January 25th – 2:00 pm Eastern (11:00 am Pacific) We’re very pleased to have Dr. Kishor Wasan return with Dr. Michael Cox to provide us with an update on their research for a treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (MCRPC). Their presentation is titled, ‘SR-BI: An essential component of steroidogenesis in castration-resistant prostate cancer: An update.’ For more information on Dr. Wasan and Dr. Cox, or to RSVP for this meeting, click on the Register Now button below.

Register now

Partners in Prostate Support Group Wednesday, January 26th 6:00 pm Pacific (9:00 pm Eastern)  Calling all support people! Please join us at our partners only support group.  This group is a safe space for partners regardless of sex, gender, or relationship to patient, to share their experiences and hear from others who have navigated this journey too. Learn more about helping your partner navigate side effects of treatment, improving quality of life for you and your partner, or just sit back and listen, feeling better knowing that you’re not in this alone. Can’t make it to the meeting? Check out the Partners in Prostate forum and info website for 24/7 support.

Register now

Prostate Cancer Support Toronto January Awareness Night Wednesday, January 26th 7 pm Eastern (4 pm Pacific) This month’s awareness night will feature a special presentation on “PROSTATE RADIOTHERAPY: the present and future of high precision treatment” with Dr. Danny Vesprini, B.Sc, M.Sc, MD, FRCPC. For more on Dr. Vesprini and his incredible work, click on the Register Now button below.

Register now

Prostate Cancer Research, Education and Treatment Across Two Sides of the Border Tuesday, February 1st  10:00 pm Eastern (7:00 pm Pacific) We are very excited to have Dr. Celestia Higano speaking to us on the topic of Prostate Cancer Research, Education and Treatment Across Two Sides of the Border. Dr. Higano is an internationally renowned expert and clinical researcher focusing on prostate cancer. She has been the Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Supportive Care Program at the Vancouver Prostate Centre since 2013. For more on Dr. Higano, please click on the Register Now button below.

Register now

Nationwide Active Surveillance Support Group Thursday, February 10th 7:30 pm Eastern (4:30 pm Pacific) Looking to learn more about active surveillance for you or someone you care about? Active surveillance is a method of closely monitoring your prostate cancer for growth with your healthcare team before opting for a more invasive treatment like surgery or radiation. Some men stay on active surveillance for decades with no need to progress to further treatment, while others are able to use active surveillance to safely delay significant impacts to their quality of life for several years.

Register now