Iron Filings The Newsletter of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society Spring, 2004

Member in the Spotlight: Ruth Doll Active, Busy and Healthy

was born in rural Eastern On- tario, the only girl and youngest I of three. Our ancestors were The Disorder United Empire Loyalists who mi- Hemochromatosis is the most common grated to Ontario in the 1800s. If genetic disorder afflicting Canadians. It is you weren’t Irish you pretended to a crippling, potentially fatal condition be, especially on St. Patrick’s Day. caused by iron overload in the joints and Little did we know those ‘green’ organs. The complications caused by the genes held a secret. disorder are preventable. After Grade 13, I became a registered nurse, did a two year stint Our Purpose as a stewardess, then took a public The society is dedicated to the dissemina- health nursing course. Denis and I tion of information about the disorder, married in 1963 and we had three and its early diagnosis and treatment. lovely daughters. I worked part time in North Vancouver until 1997 but was often exhausted after a day’s work. This was not unusual as I’d Inside always been easily fatigued, requiring more rest than most. In Ruth Doll, at home my forties this was aggravated by From the President ______2 osteoarthritis in my hip. My father had In 2001 the other hip required sur- this, also my brother Ben, in his forties. gery. I met another hematologist through Research Digest ______3 Ben has had a grand total of five hip an experimental drug test in which I par- surgeries! ticipated. I mentioned my high ferritin. Coming Events ______3 I declined surgery for 15 years, finally She asked my ethnic origin and a couple having a total hip replacement in 1995. I of further questions, checked my hands, Mail Bag ______4 was in an analogous programme, particularly knuckles, then she requested extracting my blood to be returned during that I become her patient! One month lat- surgery, if necessary. Iron was ordered er the diagnosis was hereditary hemochro- Memorial Remembrance __ 6 routinely with this and I’d taken a couple matosis and the phlebotomies began. of pills when the hematologist left a Oddly enough, the night before that doc- New Members______6 message, “Hold the iron!” I was told I was tor’s visit, Ben phoned to say his ferritin borderline for hemochromatosis, as the was 1400 plus. An astute family physician Maggie’s Message ______7 ferritin would likely be higher if affected. had been seeking the reason for the high Probably, he thought, I was just a very incidence of cardiovascular disease in my healthy woman. He suggested my family father’s family. Unfortunately, Dad and his AGM Notice ______8 should be tested but no one took it siblings are deceased, so we can only sur- seriously. A genetic test wasn’t yet mise he had the disease. Our families’ chil- Awareness Week ______8 available. dren have been tested and are carriers. Continued page 6 From the President Iron Filings Changes Ahead for CHS Board of Directors, 2003/4 President Emeritus Marie Warder reat changes are taking place in National President the Society which should help us Charm Cottingham move forward with more effi- G National Vice President ciency and speed. The Strategic Planning Elizabeth Minish Committee has completed a new mission National Treasurer (Interim) statement which is much more compre- Ross Gilley hensive than our last one, listing our goals National Secretary in such a way that there can be measur- Rick Plumridge able results. National Directors Kay Belanger Skip Young, one of our new Board Maggie Campbell members along with Debra Finlay, our Ruth Doll Board lawyer, are working on a new con- Brian Drab Dr. Siegfried Erb stitution and set of by-laws for the Soci- Debra Finlay ety. They will be completed in time for our Ross Gilley AGM in April. A copy of any of these Marjorie Lounder documents are available by request, or Nancy Cottingham Powell Dr. William Saywell you can view them on our website when cian, but warned me that it is subject to Marlene Stasyk they are posted after the AGM. editorial discretion. He suggested that one Bruce (Skip) Young The Strategic Planning Committee of our medical advisers should submit an Canadian Hemochromatosis Society also identified the need to hire an execu- article on the management of hemochro- #272 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard tive director at the top of that list. I am matosis to the journal. He also said that Richmond, BC V6Y 3Z5 happy to report that our new Executive he would provide a link from their website 604-279-7135 fax 604-279-7138 Director, Agnes Papke started to work for to the American Family Physician who email [email protected] the Society in January and a new direction have an article on it titled “Recognition Toll Free 1-877-BAD-IRON is already evident. and Management of Hereditary Hemo- Member of the International Association of In December, I attended a meeting in chromatosis.” Hemochromatosis Societies Ottawa of the National Voluntary Health We are looking for a new leader for Charitable Donation #11921 9160 RR 0001 and Health Professional organizations. It the support group in the Richmond-Van- was sponsored by Health Canada to re- couver area as its leader had to resign due port on how collaboration has been estab- to health reasons. On a more positive Volunteer Contacts lished between voluntary organizations note, the group in Ottawa continues to We need contacts in outlying areas. We and professional ones and how much meet regularly and a new group in To- have no contacts in PE, NT, or NU, so call more could be done. It is not always obvi- ronto is hoping to get started in the us if you want to help. ous how small organizations like ours can spring. Our hope is to have support MEETINGS participate in these types of partnerships groups all across Canada eventually. Ottawa Support Group or what we might have to offer but there Another submission for financial as- 2nd Thursday of the month, Riverside is always something to be gained from sistance has been made to the BC Gaming Hospital Boardroom, 1967 Riverside Dr., participating in these meetings. For exam- Fund but we won’t know the results of Ottawa. Parking is $4.50. Call Marjorie ple, I did meet Dr. John Maxted, Director our application until April. In the mean- 613-739-9277 or Elaine, 613-521-5897 of Health Policy and Communications time we remain aware that our very exist- Toronto Support Group (New) with the College of Family Physicians of ence relies on the sale of our memberships Next meeting will be held at K. Easun’s Canada. I talked briefly to him about the and on the generosity of our donors and home in downtown Toronto on May 6 at lack of knowledge about hemochromato- we wish to thank you for your continued 7:00 pm. Call 416-598-5248 for info. sis among many physicians and if he could support. We look forward to seeing as Richmond Support Group do something about it. He asked me to many of you as possible at the AGM on For information, call the Richmond office put my request in writing. He said that he Saturday, April 24th. would forward articles to their profes- at 604-279-7135. sional journal, Canadian Family Physi- — Charm Cottingham, President Newsletter produced by Chris Petty

2 • Iron Filings • Spring, 2004 Digest of Current their teens and 20’s and occasionally males if they are paired with another gene adults in their late 30’s, fail to regulate called APOE-4, a known risk factor for a Hemochromatosis iron uptake in the intestine resulting in neurological disorder that may cause high Research absorption of excess iron that is toxic to levels of cholesterol in the brain. The the body. Researchers found that loss of theory is that iron reacts with oxygen, Hepcidin Shows Promise function of the hfe2 gene results in dra- producing toxic free radicals that can The therapeutic outlook for hepcidin matic intestinal iron uptake leading to wreak havoc in the brain and other parts in the preventive treatment of whole body iron overload at a relatively of the body. High cholesterol levels could hemochromatosis has received a boost in young age. exacerbate the damage, because the free the past few years. The researchers further assessed the radicals would feed on the fat. In April 2001, a team of researchers impact of hemojuvelin mutations on hep- There is other evidence of the link. from the Institute Cochin in France set cidin (a small liver-produced peptide hor- Researchers have found iron in the plaques forth the hypothesis that hepcidin, a mone central to iron metabolism). Hemo- taken from the brains of patients with peptidic molecule (a molecule composed juvelin was found to be a key regulator in Alzheimer’s. In 1991, a U of T study found of a series of amino acids) synthesized by the iron metabolism pathway and plays a that a drug that absorbed iron and the liver, was the main hormone involved critical role in the regulation of iron up- aluminum in the brain slowed down the in the regulation of iron homeostasis in take in the intestine. disease’s progress. This month, a study the body. Hemojuvelin now becomes a pharma- suggested that a drug, clioquinol, which This hypothesis has been largely cological target for the treatment of com- removes extra metals in mice with a dis- confirmed in subsequent studies, not only mon iron disorders. This important dis- ease similar to Alzheimer’s, improves the by this team, but by other researchers covery could also have a major impact on condition of humans with the disease. throughout the world. It was especially the diagnosis and treatment of iron over- There is probably a central mecha- demonstrated that hepcidin was involved load disease. nism involved in Alzheimer’s. But there are in the mechanism of major illnesses From a study published in Nature Genet- different ways to trigger it, much like with related to iron homeostasis, inflammatory ics, Volume 35, January 2004 cancer. Whether you get the disease de- anemia and iron overload. pends on the combination of your genes Until recently researchers did not Link Between HHC and and environment. understand the mechanism leading to the Alzheimers One of those genes — and there may digestive hyperabsorption of iron. These When Sharon Moalem was a teenager, turn out be dozens — appears to be the studies showed that hereditary he suspected his grandfather’s Alzheimer’s gene for hemochromatosis. Excerpted hemochromatosis seems to be due to an was linked to a buildup of iron in his from the Globe and Mail, January 21, insufficient secretion of hepcidin. It brain. Years later, he proved it. 2004 follows that treatment of patients with “I looked all over the world for some- hepcidin, its analogues or products that one who would be receptive to the idea,” Coming Events increase iron synthesis, should be the basis he says. Dr. Art Hister of a logical preventive treatment of this That someone was Professor Maire On April 24, Dr. Art Hister will inter- disease in the future. Percy, a view Dr. Chris Whittington, author of Excerpts from a press release from April who was already looking at approaches Ironic Health on his syndicated radio 2003 in conjunction with the publishing that might slow the progression of Alzhe- program, House Calls. Visit of these studies in Nature imer’s or prevent the disease. She had a www.DrArtHister.com for a broadcast freezer full of blood drawn from people time in your area. In the greater Vancou- Gene Found for Juvenile Onset with an inherited form of Alzheimer’s — ver area, the broadcast is at 10 am on Hemochromatosis the material that might help him find the radio station CKNW. Xenon Genetics Inc. and a team of in- answer he was looking for. Dr. Whittington’s book is available ternational researchers report the discov- In 1999, Moalem and Percy began to through the CHS office and website. ery of a novel gene for juvenile hemochro- screen the samples for the gene that causes matosis. The gene is referred to as hfe2 hemochromatosis, and they quickly no- IDI Patient Conference and Xenon has named the protein pro- ticed a pattern. He had been right. There The Iron Disorders Institute will hold its duced by this gene, hemojuvelin. was a link. annual patients’ conference, IRONUSA, Juvenile hemochromatosis is an early Their conclusion wasn’t as simple as in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2004. onset severe form of iron overload with saying people with hemochromatosis have For more information on the conference, varying combinations of severe lethargy, a much higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s. and to see IDI’s latest newsletter, id- arthritis, diabetes, cardiac disease and in- They found that the genes for hemochro- Intouch, visit www.irondisorders.org/ fertility. Affected patients, primarily in matosis increase the risk of Alzheimer’s in

Spring, 2004 • Iron Filings • 3 Our Readers Speak Out We appreciate and welcome your their specialist, although so very much letters. In order to fit as many in our depends on their treatment decisions. I newsletter as possible, we must edit for decided not to call you at that time, but to Mail Bag space. Our apologies if our editors took give the “new” modality a year’s trial, out your best lines. hoping that no damage would be done New Therapy Provides Improvement during that time. I am enclosing a letter I have written to a of my staying alive.” You will remember It took a year exactly for my ferritin doctor in Alberta, after receiving very that one of my brothers died of hemochro- to reach the 75 ug/L level required here for different treatment for Hemochromatosis matosis shortly after I was diagnosed. I a phlebotomy. During that year, I have since moving to British Columbia. I think did not question your treatment and, on had increasing energy. I have re- decorated the letter is self-explanatory, and I have that basis, believed that another brother my house, worked physically outside, had omitted the name of the doctor. was not being treated properly; I was com- non-stop visitors in the summer, and As you know, I was under your care for paring how often I had to be phlebot- joined an exercise program. I do not have hemochromatosis for approximately ten omized with the treatment he was receiv- the cravings for starch or sweets; I don’t years, having been referred to you by Dr. ing in Washington State. have the heart palpitations or the restless Braun, our family physician. While under In November of 2002, my husband leg syndrome. I have lost 25 pounds. The your care, I was impressed with what I and I moved to Westbank, BC. Both my really exciting difference is that I have thought was your expertise, your careful new GP and the hematologist that he re- been able to conduct my therapy groups examination of my liver on each visit, and ferred me to were very surprised by what without any exhaustion. the fact that you, the doctor, inserted the they considered my extremely low ferritin I have debated a long time before needle each time for the phlebotomy. level. When tested here, my ferritin level writing this letter. However, the changes in When I was under your care, I repeat- was 15 ug/L. I believe your practice was to my physical condition and my energy lev- edly told you of my fatigue, my cravings keep me under 18 to 20 ug/L. One time it els have been so dramatic that I felt that I for starch and sweets, my weight gain, my even went to 7 ug/L. The hematologist should register it with you, hoping that restless leg syndrome, my heart palpita- here said that I had been “iron starved” my experience might be worthy of a sec- tions and feeling cold much of the time. and that might have been the cause of ond look. Maybe my “staying alive” did Although I continued with my work con- many of the symptoms I have described not have to take such a toll on me. ducting residential therapy groups for above. The lab reports here say that 15 G. E.-L. women, it exhausted me, sometimes so ug/L is equivalent to Iron Deficient Eryth- Westbank, BC much that I literally could not sleep. You ropoiesis; levels between 15 to 20 are la- Ed. note: The optimal minimum level for thought that perhaps I had Seasonal Affec- belled as Iron Store Depletion, and levels ferritin varies with each person. Remem- tive Disorder and I subsequently bought a from 20 to 40 are Borderline Depletion. ber, you have the right to question your 10,000 lux light box for light therapy. The practice at the Kelowna General Hos- doctor about your course of treatment. On several occasions at the Specialty pital is that no phlebotomy is given until Clinic I nearly fainted following my phle- the ferritin level reaches 75 ug/L. Ankle Pain May Be Linked to HHC botomy. At the time, I thought all these This radical difference in treatment Today I am experiencing a new found symptoms were caused by my treatment modalities was a shock to me. It is very freedom. I have just had my final cast re- for hemochromatosis and were the “price confusing for a lay person to second guess moved from my left foot. Since June of 2003 I have been in some sort of cast, having had surgery on both feet. I was Hemochromatosis diagnosed ten years ago by chance with hemochromatosis. Weekly phlebotomies What is it? tis and hormonal irregularities. became routine for a year. It was discov- The excess storage of iron in the body. Tests required for diagnosis ered by a dreadful liver biopsy. The diag- What is the cause? Serum ferritin, transferrin saturation per- nostic breakthrough of genetic testing un- Primarily hereditary centage and genetic testing. fortunately wasn’t available then. Most common symptoms Treatment Not much was known about hemo- Chronic fatigue, joint pain, irregular Phlebotomy treatments (bloodletting) chromatosis then. My GP didn’t really heart beat, mood swings and confusion, which are ongoing for life. know what kind of specialist to refer me to: a gastroenterologist, internist or hema- bronzing of the skin and abdominal Reference reading pain. tologist. Today under the care of a hema- The Bronze Killer; The Iron Elephant; Ironic tologist I have been able to maintain my Most common complications Health; Iron Disorders Institute Guide to ferritin at a below normal level without a Liver and heart disease, diabetes, arthri- Hemochromatosis. phlebotomy for over three years. What I

4 • Iron Filings • Spring, 2004 really want to share is my experience with that it basically become an extension of my debilitating ankle pain and my inabili- the bone. I worried about my mobility and ty to do one of my greatest pleasures — pain following surgery, but they told me I walk my dog. would be pain free and able to walk un- For the past four years I have gone to aided, but it would take three months to many doctors about sore ankles. Most felt fuse in a cast. that my symptoms had nothing to do with The surgery went smoothly without HHC since my ferritin was normal. I went much discomfort. The non weight-bearing to appointments armed with HHC litera- cast for six weeks wasn’t the greatest when ture, and most times I felt like the expert. you live in a two storey house. I became It wasn’t until one of the rheumatolo- very creative with my walker. My three gists I was seeing took a interest in an arti- children and husband were very support- cle I found on a patient with arthritic an- ive. They all took their turn helping me kles who had HHC. He noticed that a col- shop in my wheel chair. league from Toronto Western Hospital All of that is finally behind me. I will was mentioned in the bibliography. He start physiotherapy on my left ankle to- New Executive Director immediately arranged for me to see him morrow. I can already walk, hop and even though I was a Quebec resident. This jump like I was once able, pain free. I feel Agnes Papke has joined CHS as doctor spent three hours with me, review- brand new! Today when I was having my Exeuctive Director. Ms Papke has nearly ing my history, examining my joints, and cast removed my orthopedic surgeon and 20 years experience working with not-for- viewing my x-rays. He thought my x-rays student resident both commented that they profit organizations, and is an accom- were inconclusive and I was able to have a are seeing more patients with arthritic sub- plished administrator. She served as Ex- CAT scan. He explained that my subtalar talar joints. Many of them have HHC. It ecutive Director of the UBC Alumni joints were arthritic, not the ankle joint. has been noted in most medical literature Association for nine years, and was Asso- The subtalar joint is a small joint under that the aching of the knuckles and the ciate ED for five years before that. the talar joint responsible for the rocking first joint of the second and third finger is She has a bachelor’s degree from UBC action of the foot. It stabilizes your weight a pattern that may suggest HHC. My sur- in Agricultural Sciences, and has served on on your feet when walking on uneven ter- geon is planning on studying further the the national board of the Canadian Coun- rain such as sand, snow or gravel. What correlation of arthritis of the subtalar joint cil for the Advancement of Education. She the CAT scan revealed made all my pain and HHC. It may be a clinical feature. is a recent grandmother courtesy of her justified. I had little or no cartilage left on Even though HHC is the most com- son and his wife, and is busy preparing both of my subtalar joints. mon hereditary disease, very little is for the wedding of her daughter. She is an The treatment for severe arthritic sub- known by the medical community. I feel avid knitter and enjoys woodworking. She talor joints is a surgical fusion. The joint that as a patient with HHC it is my re- has a full woodworking shop in her home is scraped of the remaining cartilage then sponsibility to inform the medical profes- in Ladner. stabilized with adhesive and a screw so sion with all of the information I have col- We welcome Ms Papke to the Society, lected. I feel that all the patients with and look forward to working with her in HHC should be pioneers for our future the future. Enjoy your newsletter! generations. Tomorrow I am going to have When you have finished with it, the joy of walking my dog again. We know you enjoy the Letters section. please pass it on. Our newsletter is J.B.-N. You can also share your stories and also available online at our website. Beaconsfield, QC questions via our website. Many people If you would rather read it electroni- are finding this “cyber support group” cally, or if you don’t want future Omega Oils Provide Relief a big help. Check out the forum at: newsletters, let us know and we’ll I was having left knee pain, but after www.cdnhemochromatosis.ca take you off the list. taking a blend of Omega 3-6-9 oil for a month the pain suddenly vanished and has and click on the News Board. Speak Up! not returned! When I saw my doctor Please send your letters to: When leaving a message on our toll- recently, he said there is no problem with free line, 1-877-BAD-IRON, leave me taking this. I believe it is available at Canadian Hemochromatosis Society your full name and address (spell Richmond Caring Place any health food store. I expect I’ll be #272 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard them out) and your 10-digit number. taking it for the rest of my days! Richmond, BC Canada V6Y 3Z5 And please speak clearly. V.B. or email: Edmonton, AB [email protected]

Spring, 2004 • Iron Filings • 5 Ruth Doll: Member in the Spotlight (continued from page 1)

Almost three years later Ben and I are on two-month phlebotomies. The jury is still out on arthritis and HHC but I’d like to be on that jury! Ben may have been saved from further ills due to the heavy blood losses incurred during his surgeries. I’m not as tired but still require lots of rest. I’m active and very busy. I’m retired, you see! I now have the privilege of serving as a board member of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society. My duties include corresponding with our Canadian contact people, those conscientious folk who are willing to help ‘spread the word’ about HHC in their communities. We send educational literature, brochures, posters etc. from the Richmond office to all those who have expressed interest. Anyone available to volunteer, kindly contact the Society at www.cdnhemochromatosis.ca, 604-279 7138, or toll free 1-877 BAD IRON. In case I’ve portrayed us as a ‘sickly family,’ we’ll attend Winterlude in Ottawa in February as well as celebrate our mother’s 102nd birthday. She too, will enjoy it!

New Contacts

Maggie Barnett, Comox, BC 250-339-2234 Pyrna Koberstein, Lacombe, AB 403-782-6010, [email protected] John Higgins, Whitehorse, Yukon 867-667-2908 Jim and Helen Owen, Terrace, BC 250-638-7207 [email protected] Jane Nimigon, Beaconsfield, QC 514-693-0553 Christine O’Grady, Calgary, AB 403-257-2984 [email protected] Linda Perkins, Brampton, ON 905-790-6523 [email protected] Dorothy Minish, Swan River MB 204-734-3596 [email protected]

6 • Iron Filings • Spring, 2004 CHS Development Donate Your HBC Reward Points Maggie’s Message Zellers, The Bay, and Home Outfit- by Maggie Campbell ters now issue HBC Rewards points. Help us by donating your points to as everything you own is considered to t’s that time of year again: Tax season. the Society. Use our card #850 639 have been sold at the time of death. This Like all of us, I always want to know 047. Be sure to tell the rewards cen- means that your final tax bill could have a Ihow to maximize my tax deductions. tre that you want to keep your own lot of capital gains taxes applied to it so One of the best ways is to make a charita- card active when donating points, or your family will not receive as much as ble donation. This is also the time of year they will cancel it. my accountant reminds me to update my you wish. If you would like more informa- will and talks to me about possible tax tion about planned giving, contact your Good Donations savings therein. It wasn’t until I took a estate planner. You can donate online through our class in planned giving that I understood We will publish our donor list in the website. Visit www.canadahelps.org. what my accountant meant. Fall newsletter in its own section so we Search “hemo,” then click “Donate We see the term “planned giving” all can do a better job of it. Special thanks to now.” This is a secure site. You can over the place now: every piece of mail I the Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club for use your credit card with confidence. see from a charity has a box to tick for their generous gift, which covered most of Matching Gifts more information about planned giving. the costs of our last newsletter. Does your employer have a matching But what does it mean? Planned giving I would like to take this opportunity gift program? If so, please indicate means that you, along with your estate to welcome our new Executive Director, the company name on your donation. planner, accountant or lawyer, establish a Agnes Papke. Agnes is very committed to If you aren’t certain, just send us charitable gift in the future to maximize making the CHS more responsive to you, your employer’s name and we can your goals and tax benefits. our donors. This means that besides the follow up. Many firms will match There are many forms of planned biannual newsletter, you may be receiving some portion of their employee’s gifts, however the most common type of a few more communications from us. charitable donations. planned gift is a bequest in a will. Your If you can distribute HHC material in estate planner can assist you with making your community during Awareness Week When sending money . . . a decision best suited to your needs. It is or if you would like more information, . . . such as a cheque or Visa number, important to remember to make bequests, please contact the CHS office. be sure to let us know what it is for. Money will be automatically entered as a donation unless you specifically tell us it is for a membership or in memory of a loved one. Gifts in Kind Our Treasurer, Rick Plumridge, has donated a computer to our office. We will use it to service our new database soft- ware, ACCESS. It will greatly improve our ability to use our database effectively. If you have office equipment and/or supplies, in working order, that you can donate, please contact our office. These donations further enable our outreach ef- forts by allowing scarce resources to be deployed in support of our mission. Board Gathers for Christmas Dinner Hui Zhu has finished transferring our Members of the board (and guests) met for dinner at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis Club to database to ACCESS. We would like to meet new Executive Director, Agnes Papke. Guests, clockwise from far left: Chris Petty, thank her for her patience and persever- Skip and Gillian Young, Nancy Sather, Michael English, Ruth and Dennis Doll, Chester ance in working with the staff to achieve Barber and Charm Cottingham, Agnes Papke, Maggie Campbell, Elizabeth Minish. this challenging goal.

Spring, 2004 • Iron Filings • 7 Canadian Hemochromatosis Awareness Week Society Annual General May 25 — 31, 2004 Meeting uring Awareness Week help us Prince George, Victoria and Surrey. Mobile Saturday, April 24, 2004 get the word out. You can distrib- clinics will operate in Abbotsford (25th), 1:00 pm, Room 340 Dute posters and brochures to local North Vancouver (26th), Richmond and Richmond Caring Place libraries, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, Vernon (27th and 28th) and Walnut Grove 7000 Minoru Blvd hospital, community events boards, etc. (29th). Please call 1 888 236-6283 (1 888 Richmond BC. Send information to your local media, or 2 DONATE) for more information and to talk to them yourself. book an appointment. We are asking all Included on the agenda will be a call for Contact our office for your supplies donors who are responding to this request approval of new bylaws. NOW. to sign in a logbook at the clinics. This is In partnership with Canadian Blood purely voluntary, and will help us track the Contact us! Services, CHS is supporting a special number of donors giving in recognition of blood donor clinic during Awareness Hemochromatosis Awareness Week, and Post #272 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard Week. We are calling on all members in therefore allow us to determine the suc- Richmond, BC Canada V6Y 3Z5 BC to attend the CBS Donor Clinics on cess of the program. Phone 604-279-7135 May 25 starting at 11:30 am. Information We hope to expand the program to all Fax 604-279-7138 and refreshments will be available at each Canadian provinces and territories next E-mail [email protected] of the six permanent CBS Clinics in BC. year. Those members living in other areas Toll Free 1-877-BAD-IRON Clinics are located in Vancouver on of the country who wish to donate, please www.cdnhemochromatosis.ca Oak Street and Downtown, in Kelowna, do so.

Support CHS and Raise Awareness of Hemochromatosis

I have HHC A blood relative has/had HHC Annual membership ______($30, senior $20, family $45, Name ______professional $55 lifetime $500) Address ______Books: The Bronze Killer $20* ______Ironic Health $22* ______Hemochromatosis Video $21* ______Postal Code ______Lapel Pin @ $5 ______Email ______Tel ______Donation ______ TOTAL ______I am a new member * US dollars for US orders. Please acknowledge my support in the newsletter. For international prices, contact office. Please release my name to my local contact person. Charitable Tax #11921 9160 RR 0001 Send me ___ brochures and __ posters

Payment enclosed Please charge my VISA

Please return to: Card # ______Expiry Date ______Canadian Hemochromatosis Society #272 - 7000 Minoru Boulevard Cardholder signature: ______Richmond, BC Canada V6Y 3Z5 THANK YOU!

April, 2004

8 • Iron Filings • Spring, 2004