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Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose (left) greeted patient Yvonne Allen, who welcomed the new respiratory network that could help with her COPD. “It’s frustrating because you can’t do everything you want to do when you want to do it,” Allen said.
Yvonne Allen, a 71-year-old patient who beat lung cancer but has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), welcomed the new Canadian Respiratory Research Network when it was announced at TOH by federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose.
“I think this announcement is wonderful,” said Allen, who met with Ambrose. “The research will develop better medications. I take three puffers every day so if there’s more that we can be doing to open those airways, that would help.”
Ambrose announced in February that TOH will lead two of three new national research networks that will bring top-notch researchers and clinicians from across Canada together to go from the lab into patients’ rooms to deliver better health care.
“COPD and asthma affect about 15 percent of the Canadian population and those are just the people who know they have the disease,” said Dr. Shawn Aaron, head of the new respiratory network and head of respirology at TOH.
The Canadian Vascular Network will tackle diseases that are caused by blood vessel damage.
“While it has been known for some time that blood-vessel damage underlies catastrophic diseases such as heart attack and stroke, it is increasingly being recognized that blood vessels also play a major role in disorders such as dementia, kidney failure and certain eye diseases,” said Dr. Duncan Stewart, head of the vascular network, and CEO and scientific director of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Together, the two networks will receive more than $14 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and other partners.
Research saves lives
Not long ago, HIV and cystic fibrosis were fatal diseases. Now they are considered chronic diseases that are manageable because of innovative research.
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My husband Allan Steeves was admitted to emerg this morning April 7. He had fallen and taken to the hospital after a 911 call. He was ultimately diagnosed with a concussion. Dr Steele ,nurses Sarah and Anneke and another nurse provided excellent care for Al. Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all the staff.