New Labelling Information for all Botulinum Toxin Products: Botox/Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin/Xeomin Cosmetic and Myobloc

In order to help prevent medication errors with the use of botulinum toxin products currently available on the Canadian market, Health Canada will be requesting that all manufacturers of these products revise their product labels to reflect that each product has its own individual potency and as such, is not interchangeable with other botulinum products.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2013/2013_07-eng.php

Fisher Price Newborn Rock ‘N Play Sleeper Advisory

Fisher Price Newborn Rock ‘N Play Sleeper Advisory: Mould can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame of the sleeper. The advisory affects Model R6070, which was the only model sold in Canada. While mould is not present when the product is purchased, it can grow when the product remains wet or moist, or is cleaned infrequently, exposing infants sleeping in the Newborn Rock ‘n Play Sleeper to mould.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/_2013/2013_06-eng.php

South Okanagan Women in Need and Shoppers Drug Mart Raise Essential Funds for Women Through Tree of Life Campaign

With the combined efforts of Shoppers Drug Mart, its employees and customers, South Okanagan women experiencing or at risk of violence or abuse will have some much needed support for programs that assist them to seek safety and change in their lives.

Shoppers Drug Mart Tree of Life fundraising campaign was spearheaded by Penticton Shoppers Drug Mart Cashier Supervisor Stephanie Lerner and it harvested more than $4500 to support programs for clients of South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS).

The 4 week campaign was the tenth annual and SOWINS is very appreciative of the efforts put forth by Stephanie, her fellow employees and Penticton’s Shoppers store owner Shannon Crawford. The South Okanagan campaign which included participation from stores in other cities such as Summerland was one of over 1200 run across the country.

“The success of the 2012 tree of life campaign can be attributed to the support and commitment of our loyal customers and staff” said Shannon. “We are very pleased to present this year’s proceeds to SOWINS, and were thrilled when we let donors know who the recipient organization was, that any questions they had melted away and they decided easily to make a contribution”.

When asked how the campaign exceeded the initial $3000 goal, Stephanie commented “We really got into the spirit of it this year. We can be quite competitive when it comes to this kind of thing.”

On behalf of our clients, SOWINS director Maimie DeSilva who received the cheque last week, deeply thanks Stephanie and Shannon for their leadership, and each person and business for their donation to the success of this campaign. “It is truly heartwarming to receive this expression of care, consideration and generosity.” Said Maimie.

SOWINS calls for Volunteers

The South Okanagan Women in Need Society
Women Front and Centre Gala

SOWINS would like to invite you to volunteer with us for our 8th Annual Women Front & Center Gala & Awards. The Gala is fast approaching and we would like to extend the opportunity to our SOWINS' supporters to join with us towards making the 2013 Gala the best one yet!  

Last year's Gala was a major fundraising event for our programs and services which in turn supported our clients; women and their children who have experienced abuse or at risk of abuse.   

Our Gala team needs a little extra help with approaches for donations, silent/live auction item, and raffle items.  If you have a few spare hours and would like to help out please contact Bethany at 250-493-4366 ext 105 or volcoord@sowins.com and she can put you in contact with a Gala team member.

** Please visit Okanagan Woman's main website at www.okanaganwoman.com to see the current and back issues, plus exclusive web content.

Health Canada Warning about Reed Diffusers

Health Canada is advising parents and caregivers to keep reed diffusers out of reach of children and to teach them about the potential hazards posed by these products.
Reed diffusers are home fragrance products that consist of a bottle, scented oils and reeds (thin wooden sticks used to diffuse the oil). These products can come in various colours and sizes. There are several different types of oils used in reed diffuser products, some of which may be harmful if ingested. Once the diffuser container is filled with the scented oil, the reeds are placed into the filled bottle with one end submerged in the oil, making it readily accessible to toddlers or young children exploring their environment. The colourful, fragrant oils and decorative material are likely to attract a child's attention.

Health Canada has received reports of children becoming ill after ingesting the liquid contents of reed diffuser products. Depending on the product formulation, some liquids used in reed diffusers can pose serious health risks to children if unintentional exposure occurs.
Consumer chemical products and containers, including reed diffuser oils and the containers used to store the oils, are subject to the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001. Therefore, a reed diffuser that contains a liquid classified as toxic or flammable must have the appropriate labelling and packaging. Health Canada regularly monitors the marketplace, and takes appropriate action when non-compliant products are identified. However, there are steps parents and caregivers can take at home to help prevent injury.

What You Can Do

• Keep reed diffusers and any product containing oils out of reach of young children and locked out of sight when not in use.
• Consumers should read the labels on the bottles to be aware of the hazards posed by the product.
• Make sure children understand the hazard symbols on household chemical products, so they do not unintentionally harm themselves or others.
• Read more about Poison Prevention.

If a child does access the contents of a reed diffuser, parents should contact the nearest poison control centre or call 911. The contact number is generally on the first page of your telephone book under Emergency Numbers.

For Further Information

For further information contact your nearest Health Canada Product Safety Office by phone at 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free) or email at cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).

** Please visit Okanagan Woman's main website at www.okanaganwoman.com to see the current and back issues, plus exclusive web content.

Benefit Concert for Westside Families in Need

Making Music Matter - It is quite shocking how many students arrive at school every day that haven’t eaten breakfast nor have appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. Approximately 1 in 6 children are hungry which means that without breakfast, students cannot be at their best for learning and can be less attentive and disruptive in class.  To address this, three schools in West Kelowna are banding together, Chief Tomat, Hudson Road and George Pringle Elementary schools, to hold a fundraising concert called “Making Music Matter – A Benefit Concert for Westside Families in Need”.  The event page can be found at  www.facebook.com/MakingMusicMatter.

 This benefit is for families who have students attending one of the three schools. Funds raised from the sale of tickets will go towards purchasing food, clothing and basic necessities for families in need within our school community. The benefit concert will be headlined by Shamma Sabir, who is one of Canada's top fiddlers along with Norm Strauss, Andrew Smith and Graham Ord.  There will be some surprise additions yet to come. The performers are donating their time to support the event.

Tickets can be purchased at the offices of George Pringle, Hudson Road and Chief Tomat Elementary schools during regular office hours. They will also be available at Points West Audio Visual 8-1905 Evergreen Court in Kelowna from 8am-5pm Monday - Friday. Tickets are $15 each for adults and $5 for children under 18. Call any of the schools: Hudson Road (250) 769-4666, Chief Tomat (250) 768-6628, George Pringle (250) 870-5103 or Tracey at Points West Audio Visual at 250-861-5424 for more information.  The event will be held on Saturday, December 1 at 7pm in the George Pringle Elementary Gymnasium at 3770 Elliot Road in West Kelowna.

EVENT - Nov 22 - Local Artists and Activists Share Their Compassion for Exploited Women

This press release just in from the Okanagan Institute Express ...a worthwhile event!

The sad news is that millions of women and girls around the world suffer sexual exploitation, acid attacks, rape, forced marriages and other unimaginable forms of violence and disenfranchisement. One out of every three women worldwide is physically, sexually or otherwise abused during her lifetime. The good news is that there are thousands of organizations around the world that reach out to those women and offer help, support, training, and education so that women can be self-sufficient. They also fight to change cultural attitudes and push for legal reform. Despite the odds women face, there are countless examples of women supporting each other to overcome the bleakest of circumstances. Helping them become economically empowered and providing protection and access to justice will enable these women to create societies that are more tolerant, less violent, less extremist, and more human and socially just.

On Thursday, November 22nd at 5 pm the ongoing Okanagan Institute Express series at the Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna presents Compassion: The Agency of Gender Justice. Join us as artists and activists Julie Oakes and Linda Edgecomb share their insights into the continuing tragedy of the global exploitation of women.

In her recently released novel, Hooks, visual artist and author Julie Oakes tells the stories of pain and struggle that are the reality of life for women young and old forced into sexual trafficking in India. In 2004, Oakes acquired a MA in Social and Political Science from The New School for Social Research in New York, a school known for its progressive philosophy. It was in preparation for her thesis - with the late Christopher Hitchens and Dr. Terry Williams as her expository writing advisors - that Oakes went to India. The notes compiled during two months of travelling from Mumbai to Karalla to Pondicherry to Rajisthan were the basis for the novel, published by Dundurn Press. With the help of fellow New School alumna Thoraya Mohammed and Action Aid in Hyderabad, Oakes was able to access case studies of prostitutes that formed the basis for the characters in Hooks. Oakes' writing of Hooks is informed by compassionate creative intelligence for eastern culture and looks at its universality. In describing her work Oakes writes, "Hooks is a novel about women who gain agency over their lives - both the prostitutes and the female journalist from New York. Being able to exert power over destiny means that there is no longer someone else who has control over the self. Agency in Hooks is gained through reciprocity, a righting of wrong action. Unfortunately, sometimes in the fight for agency, bearings are lost. Achieving the balance needed to walk independently, people grow and whether western or eastern, prostitute or journalist, change comes with a price."

A more assertive role in helping women gaining agency over their lives has directed Linda Edgecomb locally and internationally. Linda is a renowned speaker, writer and motivational coach. Her footprint has made an impact around the world. The Wall Street Journal has quoted her as being an expert in Shifting Peoples Perspectives on their work, their lives and their effect on their communities. More specifically Linda has been involved with a project in Nepal rescuing girls out of child labour and getting them into school. In November 2010, Linda co-ordinated students from Kelowna to take up their teacher's challenge to reach out to the young women of Kathmandu's United School. From her position on the board of IWEN, Inter-Culture Educational Network, Linda is raising funds to support women's rights to freedom, education and the courage to change their destinies. She is well known across North America as "The Scarf lady". She will be selling scarves to fundraise for IWEN's work in Nepal.

As Albert Einstein stated: "A human being is a part of the whole, called by us 'Universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security."

Compassion: The Agency of Gender Justice takes place at the Bohemian Cafe, 524 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna. This marks the 241st event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in 2007. Advance registration is required at www.okanaganinstitute.com