New society focusing on health care accessibility

Donna LeBlanc-Messenger, chair of the new Western Shelburne County Health Care Charitable Society says members are raising money to buy early detection equipment for heart disease and stroke.

Many residents currently must take time off work to travel to Yarmouth to have simple procedures done, losing time and money in the process.

LeBlanc-Messenger explains people can’t afford to miss work and might not go to their appointments. She adds elderly residents might not even have transportation.

“Our first goal is to build up the foundation and create an awareness,” says LeBlanc-Messenger.

At this point, they have raised $1,900 at a crafts sale fundraiser.

It’s a small start for their big plans but the society has events and fundraisers lined up to attain their goal.

The society is setting up tests for blood sugars, body mass and blood pressure at the April 21 Something for Everyone Community Volunteer Extravaganza.

A May 5 $25 per plate benefit banquet will be co-sponsored by the local Lions Club.

A defibrillator and sparometre (testing lung function) will be available to health and emergency professionals for teaching purposes.

“Any equipment we attain through the society will be shared throughout the whole county and will be available to all the patients of other doctors in the area,” says LeBlanc-Messenger.

The group’s mandate is to promote more accessible physical and mental care for residents of the Municipality of Barrington and the Town of Clark’s Harbour.

The society is a Municipality of Barrington committee and was established through a motion passed at council.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the charitable organization can contact Donna Atkinson at 745-2847.