March 2020
A Message From Mark Hierlihy
President & CEO, CCHF
The following message was shared publicly with our network on March 18, 2020.
To our fellow Canadians, supporters, partners, and friends:
We have entered a very turbulent time, as the world grapples with the outbreak of COVID-19. We know that we will only make it through if we stick together and follow the recommendations of top health authorities. We also know many of you have your own stresses at this difficult time, so we want to send our love and support back to you, as so many of you have generously been there for sick children and their families.
As we navigate through this ongoing situation, we remain dedicated to the health and wellbeing of families and kids across the country, our foundation members, and our partners. We have adopted the recommended social distancing protocol and have implemented a mandatory work from home policy from March 16 – April 5, 2020. Our team will remain working during this time, doing our part to reduce potential transmission by closing our physical office for three weeks.
It is important that we, as Canadians and global citizens, remain focused and vigilant about the situation. We hope that we can all remain healthy, safe, and supportive of each other.
For the kids. For Canada. For health care.
Mark Hierlihy
President & CEO, CCHF
With March being Nutrition Month and Liver Health Month, it’s time to take the right preventative measures and work healthy habits into our everyday lives, especially with the global climate of today. Our mission to change the health of children starts here.
Back in 1970, Nutrition Month began as a “Nutrition Week” by the Dietitians of Canada.This was in an effort to increase public awareness around the dietary profession and encourage Canadians to use credible sources for food and nutrition information. Similarly, Liver Health Month reminds us to “check under the hood” and re-evaluate the health of one of the body’s most vital organs.
After all, it is estimated that 1 in 4 Canadians may be affected by liver disease, which is linked to behaviours we’re all guilty of at one point – lack of physical activity and poor eating habits. [1].
Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre understands that a child’s liver health requires attention to their daily nutrition and several other factors.
Their Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Program links liver health and nutrition into one practice to effectively treat a child’s health issues at all angles. This program not only includes Gastroenterologists who specialize in treating liver-related issues, but also Paediatric Dietitians to provide qualified dietary advice which is especially helpful during post-liver transplant follow-ups.
Across the country, our hospitals are working to promote nutrition education and provide multi-disciplinary treatments for child patients facing liver complications. Our partners are even getting involved in these types of healthy-living programs, such as Sun Life and its Meant2Prevent nutrition support initiative.