We are extremely fortunate to have been introduced to The Angel Project founder Lisette Kingo through our Rotary Club and we wanted to share with you the amazing work they do for patients in hospital.

What is the Angel Project and What do we do? 
Our charity was founded in 2008 by Lisette Kingo after a visit to the Complex Care unit at Parkwood Hospital. Many patients spend decades in Complex Care units in hospitals and will never go home again; accident victims, MS, ALS patients and others who have been left without tools and the finances to fend for themselves and have been abandoned by their families and society. Hospital foundations are wonderful however they have such a large need to fill that the social agenda and Complex Care units are often left to the last. 
Do you know that hospitals do not provide what we consider basic needs to patients such as shaving cream or soap and there are virtually no funds for recreational activities such as outings? 
We pride ourselves on being one of the very few organizations that operate with minimal overhead, and a totally volunteer team and board of directors. The majority of  funds we raise through our website donations (www.theangelproject.ca) or various fundraising events, go directly to our patients or the Complex Care Unit at the hospital.  At The Angel Project we not only raise funds to assist in at least one outing per eligible patient per year , when possible we assist with the purchase of  items such as wheelchairs, voice boxes and speech computers. Although there are some provincial funding for these, it is not enough for patients who do not have enough to cover the patient portion, The wait for provincial funding is also excruciating . We also assist with basic needs such as providing soap, shaving cream, shampoo and even simple comforts such as stuffed animals, soft blankets or gifts at Christmas.  Our patients at Joe Brant Hospital (Burlington) and Parkwood Hospital (London) depend on the funds we raise through our fund raising events and private donations.

To help raise their awareness and build sustainable  support of The Angel Project, we have created a Hockey tournament, The Angel Tournament , to “skate for those who can’t”,  now in our Fourth year. We have details about the success of  last year’s event at www.theangelproject.ca. This year we have of the City of Burlington and Nelson arena to host the tournament. We will have approximately 70 children involved in the tournament, all “skating for someone who can’t.” 

Here is a breakdown of just some of the items The Angel Project has provided patients and hospitals with. To give you an idea for example just one piece of equipment can cost upwards to $10,000

• Countless customized wheel chairs for patients
• Giving a voice back to patients who are unable to speak post stroke or spinal cord injury through funding computers, dynovox computers, and speaking devices
• Over $50K in rebuilding lounges and spaces for patients
• Construction of hospital outdoor garden area with pergolas and furniture
• SMART board for patient use
• Many iPads with retina displays
• Hand Cycle for rehabilitation for bedridden patients
• Several large screen TV’s and DVD players as well as movie library
• WII systems and play stations
• Hundreds of Hand made quilts for patients
• Hundreds of Personalized Christmas gifts
• Funding for a “Slush fund” this fund is set up so that patients do not have to go though the red tape for a few dollars for small extras, such a hair cut or manicure. 
• Bingo Carts with prizes as well as gift cards, iTunes cards, Tim Horton Cards, games etc. 
• Chair lifts
• Computer systems and speech programs
• Voice Boxes
• Re vamp of patient lounges (including designer curtains, furniture, electronics etc) 
• Outdoor gardens including garden furniture plants etc. 
• Outings to hockey games, rock in the park, western fair , trips to the mall, trips to park etc. Including medical transport.
• Medical transport for patients to attend various events. 
• Support “ NEW HOPE” a short film for speech pathologist made by patients. 
• BEPAP Machine to assist patients in breathing
• Electric Chair lift
• The creation of craft corners with supplies and space. 
• Funding for entertainment such as a musician coming to visit the hospital .
• Pocket talkers
• Sliding boards for patients transfers
• Eze turn transfer disc
• Stroke Walkers
• Treadmill
• Upper extremity mobile cable system
• Apple TV
• Exercise equipment and activity supplies

But more than any of the listed items it is often the little things that make the biggest difference. Hygiene items, such as shampoo and soap and a handmade quilt to make a patient feel human and cared for. Hand made personalized Christmas cards for patients to let them know they are not alone. 
In the words of our patients “ The angel project and its volunteers are truly Angels that walk among us”

To learn more about Lisette and the Angel Squad, visit: www.theangelproject.ca/

With the hot summer months fast approaching, it is crucial to keep hydrated! WebMD walks us through what happens to our bodies when we do drink enough!

• You Stay Regular

​It’s common to get a little constipated if you don’t drink enough water. Inactivity, diet changes, illness, and even stress can add to the problem. The constipation usually passes on its own, but you can help move things along with exercise, over-the-counter meds, and of course, water.
See a doctor if your constipation lasts for more than a week or two or you have dizziness, bad pain in your belly, or blood in your stool. These could be signs of something more serious.

• Your Joints Work Better

Water makes up a large part of your joint cartilage that helps absorb shock and make bone-against-bone movements smoother. Water also can help keep gout (a painful joint condition) at bay.  It helps flush toxins from your body that could inflame your joints, too.

• You Sweat

And that’s a good thing! As sweat evaporates from your skin, it cools down your body. Have a couple of extra cups of water in the couple of hours before you head out for exercise. Try to take about 10 big gulps every 15 minutes or so during your workout, too. Remember, you might not see the sweat you lose if you’re in the pool or an air-conditioned gym.

• You Avoid Dehydration

Without enough water, you can sweat away too much fluid. You can also lose sodium and potassium that your body needs. It’s especially true in the heat. When it happens, you may be thirsty, pee less than usual, and your mouth might dry out. You could even feel dizzy, lightheaded, and confused.

• Your Kidneys Stay Healthier

Water helps your kidneys remove waste from your blood. If you don’t get enough water, that waste -- along with acids -- can build up. That can lead to your kidneys getting clogged up with proteins called myoglobin. Dehydration can also lead to kidney stones and urinary tract infections.

• You Keep Your Brain Sharp

You may not remember as well, think as clearly, or concentrate as easily when you’re low on water. And you don’t have to be seriously dehydrated. It can happen if you’re just a little below where you should be. How little? Less than 4 cups of water in a 150-pound person.

• You May Gain an Athletic Edge

Even mild dehydration can make you tired.  So it makes sense that athletes who replace the sweat they lose with water and electrolytes (minerals like sodium and potassium) have lower body temperature, more muscle, stronger hearts, more brain power, and more energy. It all adds up to better performance.

• You Could Lose Weight

People who had just 2 or 3 more cups of water a day seem to have less fat, sugar, salt, and overall calories through the day. That means proper hydration could help you lose weight.
Extra water can replace empty, sugary calories many people drink with meals. Water also seems to speed up your metabolism, and it takes up space in your stomach so you feel more full. 

• Your Heart Works Better

Your ticker doesn’t have to work as hard when you drink enough water. In fact, even mild dehydration affects your blood vessels (making them less springy) about the same as smoking a cigarette. Skimping on water also leads to less blood in your body, which can lower your blood pressure and raise your heart rate. It takes just 15 to 20 minutes for enough water to even things out.

• You’re Less Likely to Faint

You’re less likely to pass out when you give blood if you’ve had enough water. The same seems to be true if you’re careful to replace water lost through sweat or urine. When levels get a bit low, your blood pressure can drop and your nervous system can’t control it as well. That could make you faint. Watch out for this if it’s hot outside, and especially when you exercise.

• How Much Is Enough?

A good rule of thumb is 15 cups a day for men and 11 cups for women. But keep in mind that includes total fluids. You get 20% to 30% of your water from food. You get more from other drinks like juice, tea, and milk. If you’re sick, you’ll need more (especially with diarrhea or vomiting). If you’re exercising or outside in the heat, focus on getting a little extra, too.

• Don’t Have Too Much

Too much water can dilute the salt in your blood enough to make you sick (it’s called hyponatremia). Plus, you don’t want to overdo it if you have certain health issues or take drugs that cause you to retain water, like NSAIDs, opiates, antidepressants, or others. Drink enough to keep a hint of yellow in the colour of your urine, but not so much that it’s always clear, or you spend all day in the bathroom. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure.

Slide show link from WebMd: www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-drink-enough-water?ecd=wnl_spr_060119&ctr=wnl-spr-060119_nsl-LeadModule_cta&mb=g1ARPZ4CCSqHVhQJ2c50eJAyWFWqf9PL6V8y21avtvU%3d

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