Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, April 6, 2018 to Sunday, April 8, 2018

Today – Periods of snow ending in the morning then mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of rain showers or flurries. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning then increasing to 40 gusting to 60 in the afternoon. High plus 4. UV index 4 or moderate.

Friday night – Clearing in the evening. Wind southwest 40 km/h gusting to 60 becoming northwest 30 gusting to 50 in the evening then light after midnight. Low minus 8.

Saturday, April 7 – A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 2.

Saturday night – Clear. Low minus 6.

Sunday, April 8 – A mix of sun and cloud. High plus 3.

Sunday night – Cloudy periods. Low minus 1.

Foundation of CKHA: One Million Needed

The Foundation of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has reached the final $1 million dollar stretch of their $6.9 Million Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Renewal Campaign.

With a target completion date of May 28, 2018, thr Foundation of CKHA is asking the community to rally together to support the purchase of new Diagnostic Imaging (DI) equipment for CKHA’s Chatham and Wallaceburg hospital sites.

“Through the generous support of the community, we have raised $5.9 million dollars towards the purchase of 17 pieces of live-saving, diagnostic equipment for CKHA,” said Mary Lou Crowley, Executive Director, Foundation of CKHA. “CKHA has already installed new ultrasounds, a new bone densitometer, and a new digital mammography machine thanks to the campaign’s success so far.”

The last $1 million to be raised will go toward purchasing one of the most important pieces of DI
equipment, the CT Scan.

“We are so close to getting the final piece, a state-of- the-art CT Scan that can do eight times the types of slices, or scans, our old equipment is capable of,” said Crowley. “This new equipment will do so much good for our friends and our loved ones when they need it most.”

Diagnostic Imaging equipment helps diagnose cancer, heart disease, stroke and broken bones.

New and advanced equipment also helps attract more physicians to our community.

The Ontario Government does not fund the purchase of new equipment, such as Diagnostic Imaging equipment.

It is the mandate of hospital foundations to raise money from the community to purchase needed equipment.

“Now is the time when we need everyone to come together to help us raise the final million so we can improve and save lives,” said Crowley. “Let’s do it together!”

The community can support the final $1 million push by visiting www.ourfutureisinfocus.com.

New location for VON Bereavement Services

VON Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent Hospice would like to announce that effective April 16, 2018, the VON Kids’ Circle and Supportive Care Volunteer Visiting programs will relocate back to the VON office at 190 Stanley Avenue.

“We value our longstanding and ongoing partnership and are very pleased that both organizations have grown to require additional resources. Alongside Chatham-Kent Hospice, we look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Chatham-Kent, who are in need of Palliative Care and Bereavement Support services”, says Nicole Hunter – District Manager Care and Service, VON ESC VON Chatham-Kent will be partnering with Chatham-Kent Hospice on a new event planned for later this spring that is aimed at supporting families who have lost a child.

Footsteps- Walking through Grief will take place on Sunday, May 6 th starting at Salvation Army Church in Chatham at 2:00 pm and walking through Rotary Eco Trail starting at 2:30 pm.

“Although VON Bereavement support services will no longer operate out of the Hospice, our mutual goal to support those in need of grief support will continue in many ways; Our Grief Walk is just an example of this” says Jessica Smith – Executive Director, Chatham-Kent Hospice.

For more information about VON Support Services, visit https://voneriestclair.ca/chatham-kent/

For more information about the Footsteps-Walking through Grief event, visit
https://www.chathamkenthospice.com/category/upcoming-events/

Game of Thrones Trivia Night at Chatham-Kent Public Library

Dothraki aficionados and dragon mothers rejoice! Chatham Branch is hosting a free Game of Thrones Trivia Night on Monday, May 7 at 6:30 pm. Come out with friends and fight for your chance to top the Iron Throne.

Rally your bannerman and compete in teams of 2 or 3 through our battle of wits; 8 rounds of Game of Thrones book and television show themed trivia.

No registration required. All ages are welcome.

To find out more about programs and events at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.