inside a message from inspirehealth’s ceo · van vic kel new inquiries (telephone calls, drop-in...

INCONNECTION - SECOND QUARTER 2013

THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2013 HAS BEEN AN EXCITING TIME OF CHANGE AND GROWTH HERE AT INSPIREHEALTH. A major highlight of the past three months was the tremendous work done by our Virtual Centre, InspireLIFE BC in launching an online pilot project.

The success of the pilot project is another milestone in realizing the vision of InspireLIFE BC: to provide education, clinical services and support to cancer patients who live in rural and remote parts of the province or who have other access-to-service challenges. People outside of urban areas have higher disease rates and less access to specialized services to help with their diseases. InspireLIFE BC is part of the solution for providing services to those people.

Online programming for delivery of healthcare services is a new and growing field. The many benefits include convenient access to services that patients would otherwise have to travel to attend in person. Access to information and education

regarding their disease and treatment helps patients cope with the day to day strain of dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Especially important in smaller communities, a greater degree of anonymity in interactive group sessions is greatly appreciated by patients. Access to consultations by telephone with clinical team members is greatly valued. Online group sessions provide interaction with other patients, reducing anxiety and a sense of social isolation and allowing for group learning and sharing of experiences.

It is of utmost importance to us that our online programs deliver the characteristics of the InspireHealth healing environment. The online experience must be seamless and not add undue stress or contribute to any sense of being overwhelmed in any way. We aim to provide high-touch, competent technical support, training and care for patients who wish to connect to our online programs.

InspireLIFE BC has been providing a selection of outreach and online programming since March 2012 including: The Online Fireside Chat; an introduction to InspireHealth and integrative cancer care; weekly online meditation sessions; cooking webinars and nutrition presentations. The pilot project, which ran in May and June, was a new step for us. It offered key components of our signature LIFE Program to patients directly in their homes in an interactive online format. Participants were inspired with the principles of healthy lifestyle change in areas of nutrition, exercise, stress relief, emotional and spiritual support that are proven ways to alleviate symptoms of treatment, reduce the likelihood of recurrence, and optimize the body’s healing potential.

Twenty-two participants took part, all with a recent cancer diagnosis and all residents of remote or rural corners of our province, as far north as Hazelton, south to Grand Forks, east to Invermere and west to Campbell River.

While our formal survey results were not tabulated at the time of this report, the informal feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One of the questions on the survey was, “Would you recommend this online program to a friend or family member with a cancer diagnosis?” One participant answered, “I definitely would recommend the online program. I feel that this is a great opportunity for people living outside of a

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Dr. Hal GunnCo-Founder and CEOInspireHealth

A MESSAGE FROM INSPIREHEALTH’S CEO

INCONNECTION APRIL 1 - JUNE 30, 2013

INSIDEMessage from the CEO 1A Patient’s Story 2Statistical Summary 3 Patient Care Programs 5Strategic Alliances 6Events and Talks 7General Media and Social Media 9Development 10Research 11Virtual Centre - InspireLIFE BC 12LIFE Program Feedback 13


big centre….” Another one wrote, “Without question, I wish the BCCA gave every new patient who walked through their doors the first time a brochure about this incredible program.”

You can read more about our success later in this document from Paul Paddon, Program Manager, InspireLIFE BC. Here at InspireHealth we are proud to be on the leading edge of innovative health care delivery and are convinced of the great importance of expanding our online services to the rural and remote corners of our province.

A PATIENT’S STORY

It was two months into my 60th year and my retirement. At 11:00 that morning I attended my first meeting of the Vancouver Prostate Cancer Support Group. In the previous three months my annual blood test had shown a rapid increase in my PSA and, after a biopsy, opinions from an urologist and a radiologist were conclusive; I had prostate cancer. The adjectives “early”, “mildly”, and “early-stage mildly aggressive” were of little comfort. I was advised to do my homework then make a decision regarding treatment options.

The recommended homework included attending that support group meeting where, it turned out, the speaker was a medical doctor from a local centre called InspireHealth. I was confused and suspicious; confused to hear a medical doctor talking about the value of diet, exercise, sleep and stress reduction; suspicious that techniques like a support network, meditation and acupuncture were viable tools against a disease as dreaded as cancer. Fortunately, I was also curious. I attended the next Fireside Chat at InspireHealth with my wife, Carol. My first impression was that this can’t be a clinic! After a warm welcome, we found that instead of a waiting room, there’s a quiet library with a fireplace and Rooibos tea. The session was led by the centre’s CEO, Dr. Hal Gunn, whose talk mirrored that of the first physician I heard at the support group meeting.

I decided to sign up for the next available LIFE Program at the end of August. My life changed forever! Initially I was humbled. As Carol and I introduced ourselves to the 15 or 20 other attendees (patients and supporters), I was embarrassed that I had overrated the significance of my cancer. Around us were patients with brain tumours, pancreatic cancers, late stage lung and breast cancers, many with short term prognoses of death. However, we were all treated the same by the highly professional team of presenters over the next two days. For me, one of the most profound lessons of those two days was to internalize my role in my own well-being.

If you have read this far, you obviously have some interest and I challenge you to Google “immune system”. In short order you will realize that the world’s best medical system is your own immune system. The value of sleep, diet, stress reduction and exercise became clear to me as did the tools of meditation and acupuncture. No one questions the need for medical intervention when the immune system faces challenges beyond its ability to cope, but so much is possible before, during and after that. Governments (including BC’s) are realizing this “hidden” medical system and its economic efficiency in today’s environment. InspireHealth receives funding to assist in the promotion of individual responsibility for our own health.

Based on our attendance at the LIFE Program and our experiences at InspireHealth, our lives have changed. My treatment was just one step in the progress of the “new” rest of my life. I joined a triathlon club, our meals bear no resemblance to those before diagnosis, I meditate regularly and I return to InspireHealth for a refresher like fuelling up at the mother ship. I donate time and money to InspireHealth and recommend them to anyone who I learn of who has contracted cancer. You should too.

Bob Wiens, Vancouver, BC

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STATISTICAL SUMMARYThe following is a statistical summary of the key services of InspireHealth during the second quarter of 2013 (April 1st – June 30th):

Lower Mainland - Vancouver (“VAN”); Vancouver Island - Victoria (“VIC”); Southern Interior - Kelowna (“KEL”); Virtual Centre - InspireLIFE BC (“ILBC”).

1) INSPIREHEALTH STATISTICS

a) Outreach Statistics:Number of enquiries responded to during the second quarter:

VAN VIC KEL New Inquiries (telephone calls, drop-in visits, and email requests) 216 60 35 Number of Visits to our Website 22,798 Volunteer Hours Contributed 608.5 51 36.5 Public Presentations (total number) 14 1 11 Public Presentations (total audience members) 344 260 168 b) Patient Visit Statistics:

A total of 210 new patients attended InspireHealth between April 1st – June 30th, 2013.

VAN VIC KEL ILBC Fireside Chat Attendance Cancer Patients 54 35 21 4 Support People 34 17 16 0 Guests 3 3 6 0 Life Program Attendance Cancer Patients 59 23 18 23 Support People 21 7 4 0 Guests 29 3 2 0 Physician /NP Visits First Consultation 81 56 32 0 First Consultation Telephone 4 1 0 15 Follow up Consultation 140 119 52 0 Follow Up ConsultationTelephone 93 26 45 1 Follow Up Consultation Group 0 0 3 0 Group Extended Consultation 27 0 0 0 Group Acupuncture 0 103 57 n/a Group Acupressure 0 0 10 n/a Grief Support 0 0 0 0 Nutritionist Visits Extended Consultation 86 29 15 0 Extended Consultation Telephone 7 2 2 12 Group Consultation 30 12 4 0 Follow Up Visit 24 6 8 0 Follow Up Visit Telephone 6 0 8 0 Counselor Visits Extended Consultation 16 24 8 0 Extended Consultation Telephone 3 3 13 1 Follow Up Visit 14 5 3 0 Follow Up Visit Telephone 0 0 7 0 Exercise Therapist Visits Extended Consultation 47 25 22 0 Extended Consultation Telephone 0 0 0 0 Follow Up Visit 0 0 0 0 Class Attendance Ongoing Classes 884 944 361 Online Meditation 280

Total Visits (all types above included) 4,158

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c) Patient Cancer Diagnoses (of new patients):

d) Member Report:

VAN VIC KEL ILBC New Patient Members 58 23 20 21 New Support Members 30 13 3 0 Membership Renewals 59 0 8 0

e) Financial Statistics: VAN VIC KEL ILBC Corporate Donations $22,150 $3,000 $100 $22,000 Hecht Foundation $37,500 $1,457 $675 $8,317 Gaming Grant $5,888 $1,203 $1,951 Individual Donations $9,684 $400 $627 $100 Membership Program Revenue $34,870 $16,300 $9,290 Other Fundraising Revenues $43,427 $1,096 $1,398 $2,651 MSP Contract $202,222 $106,281 $75,156 $7,664 Total $355,741 $129,737 $89,198 $40,731

PATIENT NUMBER SUMMARY

Our total visits in the second quarter of 2013 were 4,158. The total new patients we saw in this quarter were 210.

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Bladder 2Bone 1Brain 10Breast 56Carcinoid Syndrome 1Cervix Uteri 4Colon 15Esophagus 8Gallbladder 0Hodgkin’s 1Intestine 0Kidney 3Liver 1Lung 10Lymphoid Leukemia 5Lymphoma 1Lymphosarcoma 8

Multiple Myeloma 4Myelodysplastic Syndrome 0Nervous System 1Oropharynx 2Ovary 12Pancreas 3Prostate 15Rectum 6Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma 0Skin 2Stomach 0Testicular 1Thyroid Gland 1Tongue 2Unknown 26Uterus 8Vaginal 1


PATIENT CARE PROGRAMS AND THE HEALING ENVIRONMENTAs our Clinical Services expansion continues across all three of our centres, we are excited about new programs and features that contribute to patient experience and the healing environment.

In Vancouver—thanks to the recommendation and generous donation of one of our loyal volunteers—we’ve added a joy-filled segment to our LIFE Program. Long-time Vancouver musician, educator and researcher Lyle Povah is facilitating a drumming segment for our LIFE programs. Lyle has offered rhythm-based events and programs locally and globally for many years. Near the end of day one of the LIFE program, Lyle and his helpers bring in enough assorted drums and percussion instruments and pass them around to everyone. He leads the group through an exhilarating rhythm-based experience, everyone following his timing, beating on the drums or shaking their instruments. The session provides an opportunity to let go of concerns and stress and take in the joy of being immersed in the moment. The response from participants has been tremendous, they report feeling relaxed, energized and in touch with their spirit of play. A sample of the comments:

“Drumming in the LIFE Program has been the first and maybe the only time since I got cancer that I felt truly free—I forgot about everything else.”

“This was a great lift for the energy after a day of information. I could feel my energy level lifting. I felt vibrant and healthy when leaving. Please always include this!”

Volunteers continue to provide valuable support to InspireHealth. In the Lower Mainland – Vancouver Centre we appreciate the highly qualified volunteers who are significant to our nutrition programs and work under the direction of Angela Wright, Lead Nutritionist, and Carol Thatcher, Director of Programs and Healing Environment. To cover the wide range of duties most effectively, two teams of food service volunteers have been formed in the centre: the Volunteer Nutrition Team and the LIFE Program Kitchen Team.

Projects this quarter by the Volunteer Nutrition Team include providing guided farm tours for members and seeking community support by reaching out for in-kind donations to help cut costs while maintaining high quality programs. The LIFE Program Kitchen Team is working to create a food services training and program manual, refreshing the LIFE Program menu with some new delicious and nourishing items and reviewing kitchen services to identify strengths and areas with room for improvement. With these highly motivated and passionate volunteers, we continue to provide a comprehensive nutrition program for our patients with as much sense of community as possible.

In our Vancouver Island – Victoria centre, meditation continues to be very popular with classes offered twice a week totaling over 300 member interactions in the quarter. With increased evidence that stress is a significant contributor to cancer formation, it is a joy to see that so many members are attracted to meditation and the resulting “calming of the mind”. We are fortunate to have Peter Renner leading these sessions, helping members find glimpses of hope and happiness.

In addition, the Class Studio in the Victoria centre was transformed by an inspiring “Tree of Life” mural, a creative project initiated by InspireHealth members Fran Aitkens, Charmaine Frank and Nathan Frank. A tree trunk with spreading branches was painted on one of the studio walls, then members and staff were invited to add their hand print to the tree branches, creating beautiful foliage. The result, over 100 hand prints of members with their names and special messages. The “Tree of Life” is a focal point in the studio and inspires fellowship, hope, support, celebration and laughter. The “Tree of Life” continues to grow as new members and visiting staff are invited to add their hand prints and messages, and it contributes to the healing of everyone involved.

Creativity was an inspiration as well in our Southern Interior – Kelowna centre when Sherri Macdonald, Centre Manager, partnered with Linda MacLeod, founder of Art by Nurses, on an art exhibit called Healing Hallways. A not-for-profit organization, Art by Nurses brings together nurses from across Canada to share the healing qualities of art. The Healing Hallways exhibit consists of 26 pieces, including acrylics, oils, batiks, and mixed media, and will continue to be displayed in the Southern Interior centre until 2015. In addition to the art contributed, each nurse/artist also provided their “Healing Story” which is hung with their art and describes the work, or how the process of creating it, has contributed to their self-care.

In addition to contributing artistic enhancement to the environment, Healing Hallways provides an opportunity for InspireHealth members, staff, and volunteers to experience the power of art as a means of promoting health and ultimately healing.

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STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

To expand and deepen our relationships, we connected with the following individuals and organizations during the second quarter:

• Lynda McLeod, RN, BScN, MALT, and Founder of Art by Nurses, came to InspireHealth Southern Interior to hang a Healing Hallways art exhibit. Art by Nurses, a not-for-profit organization, brings nurses together to share the healing qualities of art with the wider community. Their goal is to spotlight their profession, illustrate the benefits of art as a self-care process and celebrate their artistic talents. Fourteen nurse/artists from across Canada contributed 26 pieces. The exhibit will be in place until March 2015. (Apr 2 & 3)

• Jacs Spence, Membership Manager, had ongoing meetings throughout the quarter with Christian Johannsen, Foot Solutions Vancouver, to plan the fundraiser Centenarian Shuffle.

• Paul Paddon, Program Manager, InspireLIFE BC, met with Valerie Ashworth, Telehealth Program Manager at PHSA, and Brian Bootsman, Interim Telehealth Manager at Vancouver Coastal Health, regarding best practices for providing programs and services using telehealth technologies. (Apr 9)

• Shell Ross, Communications Manager, and Lionel Wilson, Director of Corporate & Community Relations, met with Stuart Harries, Editor-in-Chief of alive magazine, to review our PR and promotional partnership. (Apr 14)

• Shell Ross and Lionel Wilson met with Michelle Book, Director of Communications, Canadian Health Food Association, to update her on InspireHealth and review our Research and Your Health newsletter partnership. (Apr 14)

• Dr. Hal Gunn, CEO, and Lionel Wilson met with Rocco Rossi, the new CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada, to introduce him to InspireHealth and explore partnership opportunities. (Apr 15)

• Sherri Macdonald, Centre Manager, Southern Interior – Kelowna, was part of the InspireLIFE BC team that met with Rachel Schneider from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Ms. Schneider ran a mock virtual group for InspireLIFE BC and discussed best practices for such online groups. (Apr 15)

• Carol Thatcher, Director of Programs & Healing Environment, and Lionel Wilson met with Julie Lys, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner from Fort Smith, NWT, about a possible collaboration. (Apr 17)

• Carol Thatcher and Angela Wright, Lead Nutritionist, attended a meeting of the Young Agrarians, including a tour of Sole Food Farms and networking potluck meal. (Apr 24)

• Jacs Spence met with Bob Mehr, Pure Integrative Pharmacy, to discuss sponsorship for the Centenarian Shuffle. (Apr 24)

• Jacs Spence attended an open house hosted by Vega. He met with Charles Chang, President & Founder, Brendan Brazier, Vega Formulater, Mick Lim, Consumer Marketing Specialist, Taryn Casey, Community Marketing Rep and Jessica Malach, Public Relations Manager. (Apr 24)

• Becky Maranda, Exercise Therapist, Southern Interior – Kelowna, met with cancer advocate and support group facilitator Judy Wallace to share information about the exercise programs offered at InspireHealth. (Apr 26)

• Jacs Spence met with Peter van Stolk of SPUD.CA to discuss contributions to the Centenarian Shuffle and possible food contributions for meals at the InspireHealth LIFE Program. (May 5)

• Sherri Macdonald met with Krista Clement, Librarian, Southern Interior BC Cancer Agency, to discuss the InspireHealth materials displayed at the BCCA. (May 8)

• Carol Thatcher and Lionel Wilson met with Judith Rhymes of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition about volunteer support and expanding our partnership. (May 8)

• Lisa Kilgour, Nutritionist, Southern Interior – Kelowna, met with Suzi Oberkirsch, Corporate Staff Development Manager, Nature’s Fare Markets, for a tour of InspireHealth. (May 9)

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• Dr. Ron Puhky, Lead Physician, Vancouver Island – Victoria centre, attended the Disease Prevention Symposium at the University of Victoria about Vitamin D in clinical practice with cancer patients. The speakers, including Dr. Puhky, are experts in the field of Vitamin D research and met to share their ideas and experiences. Dr. Puhky described the clinical use of vitamin D at InspireHealth with our patients, and explained the Vitamin D study with Stage IV colon cancer patients. (May 22)

• Becky Maranda met with Lita Wilson of the YMCA to discuss the possibility of doing an exercise and cancer presentation. (May 24)

• Randy Harney, Centre Manager, Vancouver Island – Victoria centre, met with Andrew Godon, Leader of the Prostate Centre’s support group. (Jun 10)

• Dr. Joe Schnurr, Lead Physician, Southern Interior – Kelowna centre, and Sherri Macdonald met with Monika Woodmass, Kelowna General Hospital Community Liaison, to introduce InspireHealth programs and services. (Jun 17)

• Cori Devlin, Clinical Counsellor, Southern Interior – Kelowna centre, attended two BC Cancer Agency Patient and Family Counselling team meetings to answer questions about InspireHealth programs and services. (Jun 12 and 26)

• Sherri Macdonald met with Jamie Marshall, Practice Lead, Community Integration Health Services, to explore their respective programs and discuss possible ways to work together to support their patients. (Jun 24)

• Randy Harney met with Dan Young, a patient member to discuss organizing a social event to unite cancer survivors with patients undergoing treatment. (Jun 27)

• Cori Devlin met with a group of therapeutic touch practitioners at a local holistic health clinic to introduce InspireHealth. A number expressed interest in becoming volunteers for our relaxation classes.

• Throughout the quarter Becky Maranda met with various medical practitioners (kinesiologists, physiotherapists, general practitioners), to introduce InspireHealth and the exercise services available.

• Lionel Wilson consulted with Mark Starkey, Executive Director & Founder, Kayak for a Cure™ several times during the quarter to plan InspireHealth’s fourth Kayak for a Cure fundraiser in Vancouver and the second for Victoria.

EVENTS AND TALKSDuring the second quarter of 2013, InspireHealth took part and organized a number of special events for the public and healthcare community including the following:

• Dr. Joe Schnurr attended three conferences during the quarter:

- Integrative Cancer Medicine: Clinical Applications of Cancer Strategies (Apr 26 – 28, Scottsdale Arizona).

- The Institute for Functional Medicine’s 2013 Annual Conference: Energy Regulation (May 30 – Jun 1, 2013, Dallas, Texas).

- Highlights in Medicine Conference, University of Saskatoon College of Medicine (Jun 27 – 29, Saskatoon Saskatchewan). Dr. Schnurr was a featured speaker with the presentation Functional Medicine: A Comprehensive Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Chronic Illness.

• The InspireLIFE BC team met with Rachel Schneider from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, who ran a mock virtual group for us as we discussed best practices for such online groups. (Apr 15)

• Angela Wright presented a nutrition Hot Topic In One End and Out the Other about digestion, with 18 members and non-members in attendance. (Apr 16)

• Lionel Wilson attended Prostate Cancer Canada’s annual Wake Up Call Breakfast at the Hyatt. (Apr 16)

• Angela Wright presented a nutrition Hot Topic Stress, Your Body, and Nutrition: the Barrel Effect by Webinar. (Apr 30)


• Paul Paddon, Program Manager, ILBC, piloted the online streaming of a cooking class led by Lisa Kilgour, Nutritionist from the Southern Interior centre, allowing five additional members to join the class from home. (Apr 23)

• A reception for InspireHealth patients and the public was held to unveil the Healing Hallways art exhibit. The exhibit was arranged in conjunction with Art by Nurses. (Apr 24)

• Lionel Wilson and Angela Wright presented to 16 students at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition. (Apr 24)

• Dr. Judy Tang presented a talk to eight members of the public as part of the Choice Markets Inspire Health in April retail promotion. (Apr 25)

• Lionel Wilson organized 23 volunteers to host information tables at seven Choices Markets as part of the Inspire Health in April retail promotion. (Apr 27)

• Six volunteers handed out information on InspireHealth at Kelowna Choices Market as part of Inspire Health in April, an educational and fundraising event at Choices Markets across the province. The volunteers were joined by Choices Nutrition Consultant, Nadene Shirtliff. (Apr 27)

• In support of Inspire Health in April, Dr. Schnurr presented From Prevention to Care: A Whole Person Approach to Cancer at Kelowna Choices Market to 10 people. (Apr 29)

• Lisa Kilgour presented to 10 women attending the Thrivers Breast Cancer Support Group at the Rotary Cancer Lodge. (May 2)

• Dr. Judy Tang, Medical Doctor, and Lionel Wilson presented an overview of integrative cancer care and InspireHealth to 36 members of the Vancouver Support Group of Prostate Cancer Foundation BC. (May 2)

• Lionel Wilson hosted an Open House and short presentation to 68 delegates of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of BC’s Support Group Conference. Paul Paddon presented an overview of the online programs, garnering their interest and support with helping to let others know about our online programs. (May 3)

• Dr. Hal Gunn, CEO, presented an overview of integrative cancer care and InspireHealth to 71 members and spouses of Prostate Cancer Foundation of BC’s Support Group Conference at the Holiday Inn on Broadway. (May 4)

• Lionel Wilson presented an introduction to integrative cancer care and InspireHealth to 16 members of the Prostate Cancer Foundation BC’s Richmond support group on (May 9)

• Dr. Schnurr presented a one-day version of the LIFE Program in Regina to 27 people. The program was sponsored by Breast Friends, a support group in Saskatchewan. (May 10)

• Lisa Marie Bhattacharya, Nutritionist, presented a nutrition Hot Topic Cancer SuperFoods with 16 members and non-members in attendance. (May 14)

• Lionel Wilson presented an overview of InspireHealth and Kayak for a Cure™ to 18 members of Ecotrend, a natural health products distributor. (May 16)

• Lionel Wilson presented an overview of integrative cancer care and InspireHealth to 19 members of the Burnaby Rotary Club. (May 17)

• Jacs Spence hosted a Centenarian Shuffle warm-up party in the InspireHealth “Living Room” attended by Christian Johannson, Foot Solutions Vancouver, members, volunteers and participants. Jacs spoke about integrative cancer care and gave fundraising tips. Christian gave a demonstration on Nordic pole walking. 16 people attended. (May 21)

• Dr. Ron Puhky spoke at the Disease Prevention Symposium at the University of Victoria about Vitamin D in clinical practice with cancer patients. All the other speakers were experts in the field of Vitamin D research. There were 260 attendees. (May 22)

• Paul Paddon met with Jessica Malach, Public Relations Manager at Vega, regarding potential PR support for InspireLIFE BC online programs. (May 23)

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• Hillary Krupa, Nutritionist, Vancouver Island – Victoria, spoke at the YMCA/YWCA as part of the Encore Program for breast cancer survivors and those dealing with breast cancer. She spoke on the importance of nutrition when facing cancer, on foods specific for breast cancer, what to avoid and what to emphasize in the diet, the topics of stress, the adrenal glands, and supporting the immune system. She then fielded questions from the audience regarding food preparation, new ‘health foods’ on the market, and where to find quality food in the Greater Victoria area. About 25 people attended. (May 31)

• Dr. Lisa Lange, Medical Doctor, and Lionel Wilson presented an integrative cancer care and prevention Lunch & Learn talk to 28 employees of Stantec. (May 31)

• Cori Devlin hosted an information table at the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, in Kelowna’s City Park. (Jun 1)

• Jacs Spence, in partnership with Christian Johannsen of Foot Solutions, Vancouver organized the Centenarian Shuffle. This walking event was held in Stanley Park to raise money for InsprireHealth and awareness for integrative cancer care. The event was sponsored by Pure Pharmacy and had 92 participants who raised close to $20,000. (Jun 2)

• In conjunction with Centenarian Shuffle, Jacs Spence organized a Wellness Fair that took place after the walking event. Several service providers with aligned values hosted tables to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and of their services, including a naturopathic doctor, personal trainer, kinesiologist, massage therapist, and more. (Jun 2)

• Lisa Kilgour presented a nutrition Hot Topic Inflammation and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet by webinar. (Jun 4)

• Lisa Kilgour presented Inflammation and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet to approximately 50 people at the Kelowna Prostate Support Group. (Jun 8 )

• Sherri Macdonald presented to Journey of Hope, a breast cancer support group in Vernon. Ten women were in attendance. (Jun 10)

• Angela Wright presented a nutrition Hot Topic Cleaning Up our Personal Environment with 11 members and non-members in attendance. (Jun 11)

• Lionel Wilson presented to 19 members of the First Nations community for their Cancer Support Training program that was organized by the Vancouver Native Health Society. (Jun 12)

• Our first Farmers Market tour was conducted in Vancouver by volunteers Darcy Smith and Heather Woodruff under the supervision of Angela Wright. Five members were lead through the market, introduced to pre-arranged farmers that spoke of their food and growing methods, and were given tips on how to buy and incorporate fresh local food into their diet. (Jun 16)

• Lionel Wilson hosted an information table at Prostate Cancer Foundation BC’s Safeway Walk/Run for Dad. (Jun 16)

• Lisa Kilgour presented four public Nutritional Hot Topics at InspireHealth Southern Interior: - Inflammation (Apr 4 - 18 people in attendance)- Mindful Eating (May 2 - 14 people in attendance)- Stress and Nutrition (May 30 - 17 people in attendance)- Digestion (Jun 20 – 12 people in attendance)

GENERAL MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIADuring the second quarter of 2013, InspireHealth generated media exposure in the following outlets:

• The Natural Health Show radio program, Saturday morning on AM 650 Vancouver and AM 750 Toronto, aired 60 second spots by Dr. Hal Gunn, who spoke of the value of supporting health and well-being.

• Dr. Ron Puhky contributed to alive magazine’s Ask the Experts column, answering a question regarding soy products for breast cancer patients. (April)

• InspireHealth member Gerry Gramek was featured in the April issue of alive magazine that was distributed in mid-March to health food stores across Canada.

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• Sherri Macdonald wrote and distributed a press release to specifically targeted media outlets in print, radio and television. The title of the press release was Healing Hallways Art Exhibit makes its home at InspireHealth Integrative Cancer Care. (Apr 9)

• Becky Maranda, Exercise Therapist, Southern Interior – Kelowna, had an article entitled A Career Path That Has Led to Oncology published in the May edition of Directions, the Physiotherapy Association of BC quarterly journal.

• Dr. Judy Tang, MD, contributed to alive magazine’s Ask the Experts column, answering a question about feeling breast cancer. (May)

• Angela Wright contributed to the health blog at Alive.com with a post entitled Happy Bowels, Happy Life. http://www.alive.com/posts/view/904/happy_bowels_happy_life (May 17)

• Dr. Schnurr contributed to alive magazine’s Ask the Experts column, answering a question regarding ingredients in personal care products and household cleaners. (Jun)

• Lisa Kilgour contributed to the health blog at Alive.com with a post titled Sugar, Sugar, Everywhere. http://www.alive.com/posts/view/938/sugar_sugar_everywhere (Jun 20)

• Social Media:

- Our Facebook page had a total of 313 new page “Likes”

- We reached a total of 1,691 followers on Twitter.

- Our YouTube videos had a total of 772 views

DEVELOPMENTInspireHealth continues to expand our fundraising program, working to create additional revenue streams to provide for operational sustainability. The following highlights our recent activities:

• Lionel Wilson spoke with Lisa Jagatia of Genuine Health twice during the quarter to review the company’s interest in a partnership program.

• Lionel Wilson met with Jim Wesley from Ploutos Enterprises to discuss the possibility of the company helping to donate and replace the Vancouver office carpet. (Apr 11)

• Lionel Wilson with other members of the InspireHealth Operations Team met with several member companies of the Canadian Health Food Association at their annual Expo West Trade Show and Conference in Vancouver. (Apr 12 – 14)

• Shell Ross and Lionel Wilson met with members of the Pacific Blue Cross Foundation to introduce them to InspireHealth and explore a possible partnership. (Apr 25)

• Dr. Joe Schnurr travelled to Regina and spoke at our sixth one-day LIFE Program for 20 people as part of our Breast Friends partnership. (May 10)

• Dr. Hal Gunn and Lionel Wilson met with Iskandar Ahmed and Nicole Fetterly to receive Choices Markets donation of $22,000 from the Inspire Health in April retail promotion. (May 29)

• Lionel Wilson met with Bob Mehr of Pure Pharmacy to introduce him to InspireHealth’s Centenarian Shuffle fundraising event and begin discussion on their $5,000 title sponsorship donation.

• Lionel Wilson attended the Play for Peace Golf Tournament, which raised $500 for InspireHealth. (Jun 21)

• InspireHealth Southern Interior was selected as a recipient of funds from two local third party events.(Jun)

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RESEARCHIntegrative cancer care at InspireHealth is evidence-based and the Research Department bolsters this clinical practice at InspireHealth. Key activities of the Research Department for this quarter are described below:

1. Clinical care information support

The Research Department continued to inform InspireHealth physicians, associated practitioners and patients with recent research in complementary medicine and integrative cancer care. Vitamin D is emerging as a key nutrient in not just the prevention of cancer but treatment as well. The Director of Research, Dr. Cletus D’Souza, supported the medical staff’s reappraisal of our vitamin D dosing guidelines for patients by presenting an exhaustive review of the research evidence for vitamin D in cancer treatment.

2. Education and outreach

The Research Department continued to support in a variety of ways InspireHealth’s commitment to educate and inspire patients and the community about healthy lifestyles:

• Research Department continued to build the Research Information System (RIS) database with current research abstracts on integrative cancer care. We also provided evidence-based information in our monthly newsletter Research Updates to InspireHealth patients and community, including health care providers, lay public, and others. Dr. D’Souza sent out a proposal for a funding opportunity presented by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the specific objective of which is to support events/activities that contribute to the dissemination, exchange and uptake of research evidence. This closely aligns with InspireHealth’s outreach efforts (seminars, webinars, community events) that hinge on the RIS database and the Research Updates newsletter.

• The Research Department welcomed Paula Littlejohn as a remote volunteer to assist with the CIHR proposal.

• The Research Department continued to translate nutrition research abstracts into lay summaries for the quarterly Canadian Health Food Association Newsletter Research and Your Health. The newsletter featured research that demonstrated health benefits of a variety of dietary components and medicinal compounds.

• The Research Department continued to provide scripts on lifestyle recommendations for the Natural Health Show hosted by AM 650

• The Research Department provided research references for the online blog articles for alive, a natural health and wellness magazine with Canada-wide readership.

3. Research studies• InspireHealth considers vitamin D as an important supplement in cancer treatment, and continued the

clinical study with the goal of obtaining important information regarding the safety and efficacy of this nutrient in late stage colon and rectal cancer patients. We continued to collect clinical data on the twelve participants in this study. To recruit additional participants, the Research Department continued to send out study posters to clinics and other organizations.

• The Research Department is collaborating with the Samueli Institute (Virginia) and the BC Cancer Agency in an important study to scientifically document the impact of InspireHealth’s programs on integrative cancer care and cancer thrivership. Drs. Hal Gunn and Cletus D’Souza continued regular discussion with Samueli Researchers regarding research project logistics and the revision of the study protocol for resubmission to the UBC Ethics Review Board.

4. Building research networks and fostering partnerships• Dr. D’Souza held teleconference calls with Linda Eagan, CEO, Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation,

and her team to discuss a multi-jurisdictional research partnership focused on measuring and improving patient experience with clinical care.

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VIRTUAL CENTRE - INSPIRELIFE BCOur Virtual Centre, InspireLIFE BC provides integrative cancer care to rural and remote BC communities that are not serviced by one of our three centers (Lower Mainland - Vancouver, Southern Interior - Kelowna and Vancouver Island - Victoria).

This quarter, on May 14, we launched the InspireLIFE BC online pilot project with the aim of delivering InspireHealth’s programs and services directly to patients in their homes across BC.

We had a tremendous response and the 24 spots for the program filled quickly with participants from all across the province as shown in the picture below.

We are excited to be able to serve such a large area using technology to provide live online educational webinars, online support groups as well as consultations by telephone with our health professionals. This online program removes one of the major barriers to access to our integrative cancer care services, namely the need to travel the sometimes large distances to one of our centres.

The InspireLIFE BC online pilot project consisted of a live interactive webinar series, once per week for three weeks, based on the material and experiences from our signature in-house workshop, the LIFE Program. Each week participants attended the two-hour webinars via their internet connection at home and were able to listen to the presentations and ask questions of the presenters via teleconference. Topics covered included the Foundations of Healing, Nutrition: Inspired to Eat Healthy, and Healthy Communication. The third session included an online support group facilitated by an InspireHealth counsellor, and provided participants an opportunity to share part of their personal experience with cancer with others in the program.

Following the webinar series, participants had 90 minute “virtual visits” with an InspireHealth physician and 75 minute sessions with an InspireHealth nutritionist. These virtual visits were either by phone or video call and the health practitioners worked with participants to co-create personalized health plans.

Ongoing support to participants is being provided via online classes and resources. These include a weekly online meditation class, a new bi-monthly online support group, and also monthly online nutrition hot topic classes. Resources, such as exercise videos and cooking class videos, are also available online to help support participants maintain healthy lifestyle changes.

Here is some of the feedback we have received:

“This is the first webinar I have participated in. I found it very well presented, easy to sign onto (this from someone who is not particularly tech savvy!) with lots of great information. Well done. I look forward to the next one.”

“This was really great. Thanks! So wonderful to hear this info from a physician as I have been learning about many of these things but always thought the ideas were ‘not as important’ as traditional medical info! I know it will inspire me! Thank you.”

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Blue markers show participant hometownsRed makers show InspireHealth Centres


InspireHealth is a not-for-profit society and a leader in integrative cancer care helping British Columbians since 1997. Our comprehensive whole-person approach integrates healthful nutrition, exercise, and emotional, spiritual and immune support with standard cancer care treatment.

Based on the latest research available, our clinical team works together with patients to optimize recovery and survival and to reduce the risk of recurrence. For more information or to make a donation, please visit inspirehealth.ca

#200-1330 West 8th Ave.Vancouver, BC, V6H 4A6604.734.7125

#212-2187 Oak Bay Ave.Victoria, BC V8R 1G1250.595.7125

#123-565 Bernard Ave.Kelowna, BC V8R 1G1250.861.7125

inspirehealth.ca

“Thanks for doing this for us rural people!”

“Very informative. Being more informed gives me much more incentive to make some changes.”

“I found the support group really wonderful. I would like to be able to participate in more of this. I really liked the format - some information, some sharing. Thanks again - I have found my participation in the pilot so far to be very positive!”

Following a review of the pilot project, we plan to offer our next online program in September.

Other online events and talks we have presented this quarter, and strategic alliances forged by our team, are included in the pertinent sections of this report.

LIFE PROGRAM PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK

“Slow, calm, and clear voices delivered an important message.”

“Being recently diagnosed myself, the information and knowledge from staff is amazing and has made the beginning of this journey (with cancer) much easier for myself and my wife.”

“The passion of the speakers; the information ‘par excellence’; compassion of the office staff; wonderful support group; learning how to take charge of my life and chronic illness; learning about simple exercises for physical health and starting thereof; being treated like a person not a number. “

“A very important part of one’s care program—it should not be considered an option, but a ‘must’!“

“It’s the best place to go after your cancer diagnosis—it provides grounding, hope and great perspective.”

“Essential to all cancer patients and their families/care givers. I think it is essential to explore these integrated health options and apply any or all of the techniques. Great support!”

“ A great program. Should be offered Canada-wide. Could save the health insurance program millions. A fabulous approach to health and well-being.”

“It is a good overview of ways to supplement your cancer treatment and is refreshingly positive.”

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