The Women's Committee of
Breton Local has initiated a program to recognize the contributions of some of the
outstanding members of our local. At present, this project will highlight recent retirees
and recipients of special awards in the area.
August 14, 2006
 Neil
Van Dusen
(1958 - 2006) |
MEMORIAL -- Former Breton Local
vice-president and outspoken victim of Canada's tainted blood scandal, Neil Van
Dusen, died Monday August 14, 2006, of complications from hepatitis C. He was 48.
Van Dusen, was a hemophiliac who contracted the disease from
a blood transfusion in the late 1980s. Neil, and two of his brothers who also are
hemophiliacs, learned they had become infected after losing a fourth brother. After the
funeral of their brother Eric, the three learned they too had hepatitis C, a potentially
debilitating liver disease that had killed their sibling. Unlike Eric, however, none had
also contracted the AIDS virus from their blood treatment.
Neil was living in Cape Breton when he learned he contracted
hep-C from unscreened blood products. It prompted him to lobby for compensation for his
family and hundreds of others.
Since 1989, the federal government agreed to provide more
than $1 billion to about 6,200 people - including Van Dusen - who received tainted blood
products between 1986 and 1990. Last month, Ottawa announced another $1-billion settlement
for 5,500 people who contracted hepatitis C before 1986 and after 1990.
Hepatitis C was identified in 1989. There is no cure or
vaccine for a potentially debilitating liver disease. It is transmitted by blood, and the
symptoms, which sometimes do not appear for up to 25 years, range from mild discomfort and
fatigue to cirrhosis or liver cancer. As many as one in five people who are infected will
die because of the disease.
Mr. Justice Horace Krever estimated in his final report on
the tainted-blood tragedy that as many as 60,000 Canadians may have been infected with the
virus through tainted blood. Krever also reported that 28,600 of them received
contaminated blood between 1986 and 1990, and as many again before that period.
By conservative estimates, 75 per cent of those people with
the virus will develop chronic liver disease, and 20 per cent of that group will go on to
such end-stage liver disease as cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. These are serious
conditions for which organ transplant is often the only treatment. Today, hepatitis C is
the number one killer of hemophiliacs.
At the time of his death, Neil Van Dusen was living in Lower
Sackville (NS) and was employed as a retail clerk for Canada Post. He was also
co-president of the Sydney chapter of the Canadian Hemophilia Society. A funeral service
was held on Thursday, August 17, in Lower Sackville and a memorial service will be held
later in Ottawa, Ontario.
Living with Hepatitis C
by Neil Van Dusen, (circa 1999)
Greetings from Halifax, Nova Scotia. My name is Neil Van Dusen. I am a 41- year-old
hemophiliac, Factor IX deficient. I've been married for 19 years and have 4 children - 2
boys and 2 girls, ages from 7 to 16. At some point in my life, I acquired the hepatitis C
virus and have since been growing progressively sicker.
At first things weren't too bad.
The weariness and feelings of constantly being tired I put down to working a full-time job
and helping to raise 4 children. I coached hockey and spent weekends at the local rinks. I
was active in the community and pitched in at home when needed. Life was busy - with the 4
kids there rarely was a dull moment. I began falling asleep on the couch while watching
movies with my wife. It became too frequent and staying awake was more work than it was
worth. I lost concentration easily and would forget things that normally I wouldn't
(losing the car in a parking lot was a scary experience - I thought someone had stolen
it!).
In 1995 during my yearly visit to
the Haemotology Clinic, I was informed that I had tested positive for the hepatitis C
virus. My wife and I felt that the best way to deal with this news was to learn all that
we possibly could about it. We asked questions and surfed the Internet for any and all
information. I was examined by a gastroenterologist, who recommended a liver biopsy to
determine what damage had already occurred. The results |
were not promising. I had
scarring of the liver and the only recommended treatment was "interferon". I was
told that this treatment could help or, in some cases, make things worse and that 1 in 4
patients did get good results. I figured that 1 in 4 was better than 1 in 0 and proceeded
with the treatment. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish the treatments as my platelet
count dropped to very low levels and I was forced to stop. Since that time, my platelet
counts have not risen and my immune system is somewhat compromised.
I now find myself with less energy
and my future on hold as I await the outcome of my battle with this virus. As time passes,
I find symptoms becoming increasingly worse. Fatigue is the major problem, with napping,
resting and generally taking it easy the order of the day. Getting out of bed some days is
a major chore in itself. Most nights, sleep is restless and I find I will awaken at odd
hours and not be able to return to sleep. The physical symptoms are redness of the palms
and fingertips and "spidering" on the body. Most people would say, "Hey,
you look pretty good." But looking good and feeling good are two very different
things. I can truly say that I can't remember what it feels like to "feel good".
I suffer from itchiness, body aches, headaches and feel tired most of the time. Depression
is also very common, as is eye strain and lack of interest in particular activities for
extended periods of time. I have suffered spontaneous bleeds, which I |
never had before. Another
bothersome symptom is lack of libido. My spleen is enlarged and I go for the usual battery
of tests and ultrasound check-ups.
So, as time passes and I grow
weaker and feel worse with the inevitability of a liver transplant somewhere in the
future, I have lost hair, weight and teeth. Stress plays an important role in how things
go as well. Just the other day I received notice that even when the day comes that I can
return to work, my position will not be there for me. I fear that I will lose disability
insurance, life insurance and medical and drug plans.
When people ask what I want, I tell
them I would like to have my health back, be able to play with my kids, walk the dog and
go to work. Maybe I'll even get lucky and get a new liver, survive the operation and not
have my body reject the organ, and live a long and happy life. I've had a lot of things
taken away from me but the one thing that remains is hope. I hope to beat this thing. I
hope the medical community finds effective treatment and a cure. I hope that we have
learned from the mistakes of the past. I hope that by putting some of my thoughts on paper
I will help others understand how devastating hepatitis C and living with it can be.
Thank you for this opportunity to
express my feelings.
Neil Van Dusen |
July 9, 2006
Blair Walsh
(1951 - 2006)
|
MEMORIAL -- It is with sadden hearts that
we announce the passing of Brother Blair Walsh, a Letter Carrier in the
Sydney Office.
Every life that ever forms, or ever comes to be, touches the
world in some way. Whether born to amuse, to inspire, or to delight, the people that are
part of our lives leave us a little different than we once were.
Grief and pain are the price we pay for the love, commitment
and friendship we feel for another. Tears are the proof of life, and the more love we
feel, the more tears we shed. And no matter how many years pass, we will always remember
the sorrow of such loss.
There is a special place that we call memory. A place,
though unseen, that is home and haven to the heart. And there, in peace and serenity, are
waiting those with whom we shared our yesterdays. Death may leave a heartache that no one
can heal, but love leaves a memory that no one can take. Such beautiful memories are the
gift to those left behind. They bring comfort, joy, and laughter. They enable one to live
on forever inscribed in the hearts of those they loved.
We felt such a profound loss that we wanted to honour our
fallen brother and find a fitting tribute for someone who never sought the limelight. It
was Blair's continued commitment to helping others that provided the Women's Committee of
Breton Local with the inspiration for a proper memorial. So, in memory of his life and
celebration of Blair's continuing journey to walk with us throughout our lives, a
provision has been made for the Breton Local Memorial Bursary Fund.
The bursary will be used to provide financial support to
children of our membership planning to attend university. It will also serve as an
on-going legacy for all members of our local that now live in the hearts of those they
have touched. The fund will also be a constant reminder to cherish every moment of our
lives and hold them close to our hearts, for they may not come again.
Blair leaves behind his wife and best friend, Patty, with
rich and thankful memories of a loving partnership. Those who worked with him through the
years will miss his outgoing and warm-hearted character, we have all been touched by his
energy, enthusiasm and heart of gold. It is clear that Blair's influence, in life and in
death, is heartfelt and long lasting.
April 2006
Neale (Moose) Morrison will retire from
Canada Post on April 7, 2006.
|
RETIREMENT -- Neale (Moose) Morrison, a
Canada Post Letter Carrier, will retire on April 7, 2006, after serving the Sydney area
for his 30-year career. During that time, Neale has touched many lives, both within the
community and around the office, with his charismatic style and unconventional sense of
humour.
Mr. Morrison began his service in 1976, when the Canada Post
office was located on Dorchester Street and continued his service when the facility was
moved to Upper Prince. A great deal of his career was spent delivering mail and serving
customers in both Coxheath and Westmount.
Neale immensely enjoyed a profession that helped shape many
long lasting friendships and bonds within the community and among his fellow workers. He
knows the hardest part of retiring is that he will not see his customers and co-workers on
a daily basis.
When ask about those unforgettable events during his career,
Neale couldn't pin-point any specifics, just saying with a big grin, "They're all
memorable." However, he did fondly recall those co-workers that have passed on or
retired over the years, and remembers how hard it always was to say good-bye to life-long
friends.
Neale is also very thankful for a flexible career with
Canada Post that allowed him to coach both hockey and baseball for 23 years. He is also
grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Canada Post curling program, which
permitted him to compete on both the provincial and national levels.
We all know it will be almost impossible to find someone who
cares about customers as much as Neale. The many friends acquired over the years will
sincerely miss his outgoing personality in both the Sydney office and on his route.
However, we all joint together to wish him the best of luck and well-being in the years to
come.
Johnny Catoul and Johnny Murray have retired from Canada Post.
|
January 2006
RETIREMENT -- Johnny Catoul
and Johnny Murray, two Canada Post Carriers have retired and both of them
have worked totally in New Waterford and area. Johnny Catoul has worked since 1968 and has
a total of 38 years with Canada Post and Johnny Murray since 1971 and a total of 34 years.
They both enjoyed their jobs and with their winning smiles
and great personalities, they acquired many, many friends over the years who will dearly
miss them on their daily routes.
The most difficult part of retiring for them is that they
won't see their customers on a daily basis.
They both wish all the best to their customers but feel it
is time to retire and to spend their retirement with their family and friends and pursue
other options. They are going to be dearly missed by every one in the community.
On an average, a local carrier walks approximately 10 miles
per day, or approximately 2500 miles per year, delivering mail.
Canada Post lost two great employees who were very reliable,
dedicated and delivered our mail without incidence every day.
With the many friends and acquaintances they met on their
daily routes, everyone in the community wishes, both of you all the best of health and
happiness. |
