Health and wellness

Group of members of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’, B.C. Children’s Hospital staff, and the McKenzies’ a patient family joining together in front of the hospital (June 14). Provided by B.C. Children’s Hospital.

VIDEO: B.C. firefighters donate $1M for child burn survivors

$1 million from the B.C. Professional Fire Fighter’s Association improves child burn care treatment

Group of members of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’, B.C. Children’s Hospital staff, and the McKenzies’ a patient family joining together in front of the hospital (June 14). Provided by B.C. Children’s Hospital.
UBC is set to start construction on a $139.4 million biomedical engineering facility this summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

New ‘state-of-the-art’ UBC building aims to boost B.C. healthcare, biotech sectors

A UBC biomedical engineering facility will break ground this summer thanks to a provincial grant

UBC is set to start construction on a $139.4 million biomedical engineering facility this summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Farmers market berries. Photo retrieved from pixabay.com.

Disease prevention starts in the grocery store grabbing nutritional items

Disease prevention starts in the grocery store, says Sandra Gentleman, registered dietitian.

Farmers market berries. Photo retrieved from pixabay.com.
The BC Schizophrenia Society supported more than 1,000 families touched by serious mental illness in 2021. (BC Schizophrenia Society/Facebook)

BC Schizophrenia Society hopes to reach thousands touched by serious mental illness

Non-profit offers resources, peer and group support for those with illness and their loved ones

The BC Schizophrenia Society supported more than 1,000 families touched by serious mental illness in 2021. (BC Schizophrenia Society/Facebook)
A man pauses at a coffin after carrying it during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver on August 15, 2020. Advocates say Health Canada’s announcement to decriminalize personal possession of 2.5 grams will do little to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

For decriminalization to save lives, users need to be allowed to carry more drugs: B.C. advocates

Health Canada nearly halved requested personal possession amount in approval May 31

A man pauses at a coffin after carrying it during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver on August 15, 2020. Advocates say Health Canada’s announcement to decriminalize personal possession of 2.5 grams will do little to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on February 21, 2017. Beginning Jan. 31 2023, adults in B.C. will be allowed to carry up to 2.5 grams of drugs for personal use, Health Canada announced May 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. approved to decriminalize possession of small amounts of street drugs as deaths soar

Personal possession of up to 2.5 grams to be allowed for three years beginning Jan. 31, 2023

Dean Anderson holds up a sign before a march on the first National Day of Action to draw attention to the opioid overdose epidemic, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on February 21, 2017. Beginning Jan. 31 2023, adults in B.C. will be allowed to carry up to 2.5 grams of drugs for personal use, Health Canada announced May 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
GoByBike Week in the Central Okanagan is May 30-Jun 5. (Photo/Gary Barnes)

Reach for your bike instead of your car keys: Kelowna mayor

Registration for GoByBike Week is still open for a chance to win a trip for two to the Netherlands.

GoByBike Week in the Central Okanagan is May 30-Jun 5. (Photo/Gary Barnes)
This March 2002 file photo shows a deer tick under a microscope in the entomology lab at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingstown, R.I. Lyme disease has settled so deeply into parts of Canada many public health units now just assume if you get bitten by a tick, you should be treated for lyme disease. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Victoria Arocho

Online map tracks B.C.’s high-risk Lyme disease zones

About 1 in 100 ticks carry Lyme disease in B.C.

This March 2002 file photo shows a deer tick under a microscope in the entomology lab at the University of Rhode Island in South Kingstown, R.I. Lyme disease has settled so deeply into parts of Canada many public health units now just assume if you get bitten by a tick, you should be treated for lyme disease. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Victoria Arocho
The makers of Jif peanut butter are recalling some of its products due to potential salmonella contamination. (Courtesy of Canadian Food Inspection Agency)

Some Jif peanut butter products recalled due to potential salmonella contamination

Jars with lot codes 1274425 through 2140425 should be disposed of immediately

The makers of Jif peanut butter are recalling some of its products due to potential salmonella contamination. (Courtesy of Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
GoByBike BC Society envisions a future where everyone can experience the joy of cycling – for transportation, for play, for well-being, for the planet. Take part in Spring GoByBike Week May 30 to June 5!

This spring, return to cycling for a fresh start

More than just a bike ride — GoByBike for health, for the planet and for prizes!

  • May 16, 2022
GoByBike BC Society envisions a future where everyone can experience the joy of cycling – for transportation, for play, for well-being, for the planet. Take part in Spring GoByBike Week May 30 to June 5!
Jim Mitchell is sharing his experience living with dementia to raise awareness as part of the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.

Kamloops resident shares his story to bring more visibility to dementia

Jim Mitchell immigrated from England to Canada with his wife Margaret and…

  • Apr 18, 2022
Jim Mitchell is sharing his experience living with dementia to raise awareness as part of the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s.
Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy (RDCO)

Rising cost of living pressures those in Central Okanagan in poverty

Many need support with managing housing, transportation, food, health, and recreation

Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy (RDCO)
Kara Nystrom, a contender for Miss Health and Fitness 2022, is possibly the first transgender woman to enter in the U.S. magazine contest. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

‘A queer, feminine body against the world’ for B.C. woman chasing fitness crown

Kara Nystrom has entered a U.S. magazine ’s Miss Health and Fitness contest, soon open to voting

Kara Nystrom, a contender for Miss Health and Fitness 2022, is possibly the first transgender woman to enter in the U.S. magazine contest. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Health-care workers experienced COVID-driven burnout (File photo)

B.C. healthcare workers impacted by lack of mental health resources

The stress of COVID has contributed to the current hospital staffing crisis

Health-care workers experienced COVID-driven burnout (File photo)
Hollis visits the Downtown Y three times a week with her workout buddy and is enjoying the positive effects those visits have on her mental and physical health.

Hollis’ Y is Mental Health

Physical activity is something I have always enjoyed and prioritized throughout my…

  • Feb 14, 2022
Hollis visits the Downtown Y three times a week with her workout buddy and is enjoying the positive effects those visits have on her mental and physical health.
Ami Salmen says her tattoos have helped her to accept her new body, and keep loving herself throughout her breast cancer journey. (Photo by Lexy Parks, courtesy of Ami Salmen)

Power of ink: How tattoos helped a B.C. woman through her breast cancer journey

Ami Salmen’s tattoos helped her throughout her breast cancer journey. She’s now in the running to be on the cover of Inked Magazine

Ami Salmen says her tattoos have helped her to accept her new body, and keep loving herself throughout her breast cancer journey. (Photo by Lexy Parks, courtesy of Ami Salmen)
Lynn Jackson is one of many British Columbians joining forces with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month to say, “Don’t change. Even if they do.” The campaign aims to inspire people to reflect on ways they will continue to show up for people in their lives who are affected by dementia.

Continue showing up for people living with dementia this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

After she began having trouble with numbers and finding her way home…

  • Jan 24, 2022
Lynn Jackson is one of many British Columbians joining forces with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month to say, “Don’t change. Even if they do.” The campaign aims to inspire people to reflect on ways they will continue to show up for people in their lives who are affected by dementia.
Simple food swaps can often make your favourite dishes diabetes-friendly, and in turn help protect your heart, says registered dietitian, Diana Steele.

Getting to the Heart of Type 2 Diabetes and Eating Well

Simple steps to make heart health part of managing diabetes

  • Jan 17, 2022
Simple food swaps can often make your favourite dishes diabetes-friendly, and in turn help protect your heart, says registered dietitian, Diana Steele.
Our Yoga Studio has re-opened despite public health orders (File photo)

Kelowna yoga studio remains open despite health orders

Ellis street studio has been warned of potential fines

Our Yoga Studio has re-opened despite public health orders (File photo)
Our Yoga Studio has re-opened despite public health orders (File photo)

Kelowna yoga studio remains open despite health orders

Ellis street studio has been warned of potential fines

Our Yoga Studio has re-opened despite public health orders (File photo)
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