MULTIPLE BIRTHS CANADA/NAISSANCES MULTIPLES CANADA
PO Box 432, Wasaga Beach, ON   L9Z 1A4

Toll free: (866) 228-8824

INFORMATION CIRCULAR
BO-05-31-05-#1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2005

News & Information from Multiple Births Canada


Wasaga Beach, ON:  Multiple Births Canada (MBC) is pleased to provide ongoing updates to its members, chapters and colleagues.  Your commitment to Supporting Multiple Births Together is of great importance to Canada’s multiple-birth community.

 

Chapter Representatives:  Please forward the information below to your Chapter Executive and members.

 

Information Circular Contents:

1.         National Multiple Births Awareness Day

2.         ‘Back to Basics’ Volunteer Development Retreat and AGM

3.         Today Marks 10-Year Anniversary for Declaration of Rights and Statement of Needs

 

 

1.     National Multiple Births Awareness Day

National Multiple Births Awareness Day accomplished what it set out to do. It has the media interested in the multiple birth community; it gave voice to our challenges and issues; and it brought together chapter members and non-members alike.  We think you deserve a pat on the back!  And, to get you just as excited as the Board of Directors, here are links to some online articles:

 

http://www.mitchelladvocate.com/story.php?id=162101

 

http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/news/local/story.html?id=e378e2ab-ea29-470c-9597-0917677993f4

 

http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=44326c87-90e3-4616-8fc7-38df25e6ad5e

 

http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=d6fca2e0-bcc5-4bef-ac0e-30b99c8a1a50

 

http://www.nugget.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentID=110866&catname=Local+News

 

The EI story is hot in the media right now. We should try to keep the momentum going. For those who have acted as spokespeople with CBC radio over the past few days, we thank you for calling Multiple Births Canada to rehearse your interviews. It is always best to have the answers before being questioned. Gail Moore, Director of Communications, will happily help mentor you through the process. Call the Business Office, toll-free at 1-866-228-8824, and we'll provide you with her phone number. Remember to check out all the supporting documents so you're well versed on the theme. They're available at http://www.multiplebirthscanada.org/english/NMBADSupportingDocs.php

 

A special note: if the media asks "Why now?", there are a couple of answers. "The federal program is under review and has shown over the past couple of years that they are open to enhancing benefits."  "Multiple Births Canada has grown in their advocacy work and has the ability to push this agenda forward now."

 

And finally, thank you everyone for sending us your pictures and stories about the day – keep them coming! With your approval we'd like to share your day with the rest of the world on the MBC website and in the upcoming issue of Multiple Moments, so please be sure to indicate whether we can reproduce your pieces. We know of at least 3 cities that have proclaimed May 28th as National Multiple Births Awareness Day.  Please let us know asap, if you were successful in proclaiming this date in your city.  Again, thank you for celebrating National Multiple Births Awareness Day! You really helped to bring the multiple-birth community together!

 

MBC would also like to thank the sponsors and many volunteers that helped make this day a great success in North Bay.

 

2.     ‘Back to Basics’ Volunteer Development Retreat and AGM

MBC’s Volunteer Development Retreat and Annual General Meeting was also a great success.  Despite the 3-days of rain in the long-range forecast, the delegates were treated to sunny days and pleasant evenings.  In addition to the usual informational workshops and sharing sessions, the delegates enjoyed some outdoor activities: canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, an exercise using the GPS system, an adventurous walk using night vision monoculars, drumming around the campfire, baking bannock bread, banana boats and yummy ‘smores!  The Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Saturday night was inspirational with volunteers being recognized for the many years of volunteer service at the national level, and of course the Making A Difference Awards were presented.  More details to follow in the upcoming issue of Multiple Moments (to be distributed early July) and in upcoming emails. Thank you to the hardworking planning committee and all the volunteers and sponsors that helped make this weekend a success.

 

 

3.     Today Marks the 10-Year Anniversary for the Declaration of Rights and Statement of Needs

On May 31st, 1995 – The Declaration of Rights and Statement of Needs of Twins and Higher Order Multiples was adopted by the Council of Multiple Birth Organizations (COMBO) (comprised of representatives of 16 organizations from ten countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States) at the International Society for Twin Studies at the Eighth International Twin Congress, Richmond, Virginia.

 

This document is currently under review due to the changing needs of multiple-birth families and individuals, and technology.  MBC plays an integral part in COMBO and will provide you with the details of the revised document when available.

 

 


 

Vicki Riley

Business Services Manager

Multiple Births Canada/Naissances multiples Canada

PO Box 432

Wasaga Beach, Ontario   L9Z 1A4

Toll-free (in Canada): 1-866-228-8824

Tel: 705-429-0901

Fax: 705-429-9809

mailto:office@multiplebirthscanada.org

http://www.multiplebirthscanada.org/

 

National Multiple Births Awareness Day – May 28th, 2005 - What a celebration it was!  Check out the pictures and articles from events across Canada.

 

The content of this email is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

 

Multiple Births Canada Information Circulars (ICs) are a mass email service managed by the Board of Directors of Multiple Births Canada and is for information sharing purposes only.  Opinions and conclusions expressed through this service do not necessarily reflect the views of either the Board of Directors or the caring volunteers of Multiple Births Canada.  If you wish to be removed or added to this list, please contact the Business Office.