The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, March 15, 1995 The Castlegar Nordic Ski Club would like to take this opportunity to thank the FOR AIR EMISSIONS, EFFLUENT FLOW Celgar cited as pollution offender RON NORMAN ‘Sun Editor Celgar Pulp Co. is once again ~ listed on the latest provincial report of environmental offend- ers, despite millions of dollars in ip to the 's Celgar joins Cominco, another fender, and Regi listed on the report. More than halfhe operations are listed for the first time since the reports were started in 1990, The latest report covers the period April 1 to Sept. 30, 1994. The increase in the number of operations listed is because of expanded criteria, which now includes non-compliance with i as well as with waste A record number of opera- i i ids foll 9 ions and busi 9 for their generous donatiofis towards the purchase of new tracksetting equipment. Castlegar Rotary Club Sons of Norway - Castlegar Royal Canadian Legion, Branch | 70 R.D.C.K., Lower Arrow - Columbia R.D.C.K., Area “I" City of Castlegar Canadian Regional Airlines B.C. Ministry of Small Business, Tourism & Culture CASTLEGAR 7:30 P.M. management permits. “This is the most comprehen- sive list ever published by the province,” Envifonment Minis- ter Moe Sihota said in a pre- LO PITCH Registration meeting for the 1995 season WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1995 CASTLEGAR REC. CENTRE INFO: 365-7441 pared release, Celgar is listed twice on the report, once for failing to comply with its permit for effluent flow, and another time for exceeding limits for air emissions. The pulp mill exceeded its per- mit for effluent flow 163 of 183 times. However, the mill actually met the permit requirements for effluent contaminants. “The flow rate noncompliance caused no itional i He noted that the mill produces about 45,000 kilograms of chlo- rine dioixide. The permit allows only 9.2 kilograms in emissions, or about “99.98 per cent efficien- | cy”, McLaren said. However, the mill is managing to nearly reach the mark, but not quite—"perhaps 99.97 per cent efficiency”, McLaren said. “It is in our interests to try to capture this matérial,” he tal impact,” the report said. Jim McLaren, Celgar's environmental manager, said the permit was based on estimates when the mill was designed, but the flows have proved to be higher than expected. “We have been out of compli- ance on flow ever since we've started,” McLaren told The Sun. He said the mill is working on the problem. The report agrees, noting: “Efforts to reduce water con- sumption at the mill are ongoing.” McLaren said the mill has filed for an d to ils effluent Castle Arrow Building Supplies Ltd. Arrow Lakes Air Cond. & Mechanical Systems Ltd. Bonnett's Mens Wear Bosse's Jewellery Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza Cascade Lock and Safe Castlerock Cafe Castlegar Bicycle and Sport Shop Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce Castlegar Custom Engines Castlegar Foods Castlegar Jewellery Repairs & Ina ‘Claire's Treasures Castlegar Mohawk Castlegar Rebels Executive Castlegar Roofing & Siding Castlegar Savings Credit Union Celgar Pulp Company Chicken Time City of Castlegar Chevron Town Pantry Colourmix Advertising Systems Ltd. Columbia Auto Service Deebels Transport Downtown Shell G &G Woodwork Gerick Cycle & Sports Glade General Store His Place Hair Styling Southern Division Champions ar Rebels! 4 —— CASTLEGAR JUNIOR REBELS 1994 - 1995 sisia Kid doe, thks thant: BACK ROW L-R Trainer Tom Campbelt, Brent Neumann, Mike Knezacek, Jeff Moffat, Jordan Marlatt, Vince Antignani, Kevin illivray. MIDDLE ROW L-R Coach Garry Saver, Nino Dacosta, Darryl Fischer, Casey Grant, Wade Burt, Grady Moore, Craig Moisey, Jesse Oldham, Derek Read, Equipment Manager Rocky Watt, Trainer Mike Fiesel : FRONT ROW L-R Mike Kooznetsoff, Darren Pottle, Mike Hunter, J.C. Moore, Jeff Evdokimoff, Todd Doyle, Les Barry MISSING Equipment Manager Mo Barry, Stick Boy Tim Pretty, Coach Randy Kirby, GM/Coach John Phillips. Good luck in the K.I.J.H.L. Final! Johnny's Gas and Grocery Kootenay Plumbing Supplies & Design Centre Mallards Source for Sports Monte Carlo Motor Inn Old Dutch - Geoff Bragg Distributor Oglow's Paint & Wallcovering Tom Leckie - Re/Max Castlegar Realty Williams Moving & Storage West's Department Store and Travel Agency Homegoods Hooters Fitness IG.A. Investors Group Ladybird Construction Machado's Grocery Mitchell's Supply Nu-Tech Construction Panagopoulos Pizza Pharmasave Plaza Bakery Pope & Talbot Sandman Inn Subway Twin Rivers Controls Von's T's West K Concrete West Kootenay Carpets permit to allow it to meet the flow requirements. It is the mill's fifth time on the report for effluent and the second time for effluent flow. The mill is also cited for “‘fre- quently” exceeding its permit for chlorine dioxide emissions. The report notes that the mill and its equipment supplier “have made modifications to the scrub- ber system with some success.” As well, the mill has been requested to submit a plan to bring the emissions within the permit limits. McLaren said the problem is that the permit was again based on what the chlorine dioxide generator was expected to be able to accomplish However, he said there was not a lot of experience with the generators and it has proved not to be able to meet the stiff per- mit requirements. “We've had trouble keeping it below the-permit,” he said. P we use it as @ product.” : He said the mill is also applying for a new permit for air emissions. It is the mill's third time on the report for air emissions, but the first for this reason. Meanwhile, the regional dis- trict's Marblehead refuse site is listed for the first time. The report cites the regional district for unauthorized open burning of refuse. The site is scheduled to be closed next year under the region’s proposed solid waste management plan. Cominco’s lead smelter in Trail is listed twice, once for emissions and a second time for effluent. It is the fourth time both problems have been listed on the report. The lead smelter emissions exceeded the permit 20 per cent of the time. Cominco has plans to build a new lead smelter by the end of 1996 which will eliminate the problem. As well, ‘the permit for effluent flow was exceeded 20 per cent of the time, while levels of mercury, arsenic and suspended solids were also exceeded, though not as often. Those problems should also be resolved with the new smelter, the report stated. As well, the company’s fertiliz- er plant is listed for failing to meet its permit for ammonia effluent about 20 per cent of the time. The report notes that a new fertilizer plant is in a start-up phase and a “smoother operation is expected.” Police briefs Judge grudge? Castlegar RCMP are asking parents to be on the lookout for a judge’s reserved parking sign. The sign was stolen from the guisher was stolen from a truck parked in the 1400 block of Columbia Avenue. The same day a portable radio telephone was stolen out a vehicle in the 1600 block of C ia Avenue. Castlegar courthouse between March 10-13. Too fast Last Wednesday's heavy snowfall has resulted in Tara Browning, 19, of South Slocan, being charged with driving too fast for road conditions after she lost control of the vehicle she was driving causing it to roll 11 km. south of Castlegar on High- way 22. Three occupants in the vehicle received minor injuries. Damage to the vehicle was esti- mated at $5,500. Busy thief RCMP say they suspect that one person is responsible for sev- eral break, enter and thefts of local vehicle from March 10-13. On March-1t0 a radio tele- phone, first aid kit and fire extin- REGISTRATIO ROBSON RIVER OTTERS SWIM CLUB Registration for the 1995 season will be held Monday, March 27, 1995 7:00 p.m. at the Robson School. All swimmers - bring your birth certificate. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 365-2374 FUNDING AVAILABLE WHERE APPLICABLE On March 11 a wallet and identification was stolen from a vehicle parked in the 1300 block of Columbia Avenue. On March 12 a stereo and radio equipment was taken from a vehicle parked in the 1000 block of 7th Avenue.” On March 12 a new winch was stolen from a pickup truck parked at Russell Auction. On March 13 a 1992 Jeep YJ parked at the Castlegar hospital had its rear windows slashed and a 1983 Cadillac also parked at the hospital had a radio antennae stolen. A radio antennae was also stolen from a 1992 Chevy pickup parked at Pioneer arena on March 13. Four vehicles parked in the 800 block of Columbia Avenue had their windows smashed March 13. Castlegar RCMP say that due to the rash of vandalism and theft they will be checking everyone seen on the streets after dark. ‘Complete Body & Paint Facilities Auto Glass Replacement Towing 2316 - 6th Ave., Castlegar PROFILE The Castlegar Sun WEDNESDAY, March ve SECOND HANCE Every day Kathy Gall says a silent prayer for the family whose loved one donated a kidney so that she rnight live. ho would think that a 24-centimeter-long, bean-sized organ, weighing only 115 to 170 grams could mean the difference between life or death? And yet, that’s exactly what kidneys do. Acting much like a fuel filter for an automobile, the kidneys are a vital organ for all living animals. The kidney contains over one million microscopic filtering units, known as nephrons, which filter impurities from the blood as it flows through the kidneys. Excess water and impurities then flow through the ureters, the tubes which lead from the kidneys to the bladder, and is discharged as urine. The efficiency of a functioning kidney is one of the most remarkable aspects of the body, having a filtering capacity of a more than three-quarters of a liter of blood per minute. This equates to some 50 liters an hour, or 1,200 liters a day. When the kidneys don't function as they should its human host can become gravely ill. Sometimes the only option for survival is dialysis or kidney transplant. Dialysis is the method by which the blood is mechanically cleansed of impurities outside the patient’s body and then returned in a healthy state, until impurities once again build up requiring further dialysis. Besides being expensive, dialysis can severely-restrict-a person's estyle and daily activities. Their life is structured around dialysis treatments (known as “runs”), and physical and dietary restrictions. At best it’s a stop-gap measure until a kidney becomes available for transplant Many people survive for years on dialysis, but sometimes dialysis just isn’t enough. That's when patients hope they will receive a second chance—a donated kidney. Castlegar resident Kathy Gall, 36, is one of those people who received a second chance when she had a kidney transplant on Feb. 12, 1992. That's the day her whole life changed thanks to the donor who made it possible for her and another woman to have a second chance at life. “I say prayers every day for the people who lost family members so I could go on.” Kathy is no stranger to kidney disease. When she was seven years old she watched her mother die from polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary and congenital condition of the kidney. Even though she knew that there was the chance that she might inherit the iti Kathy might have inherited the disease. Her doctor persisted and arranged for tests to be done Although x-rays didn’t show any problem with her kidneys, her doctor still wasn’t satisfied. He insisted that an ultrasound examination be done. When the technician left the examination room for a moment, Kathy admits she took a peek at her chart. What she saw is something she'll remember ‘the rest of her life. “It said I had numerous cysts on my kidneys. I'll never forget it. I freaked. I thought at that point that I would die too if I had it.” Kathy’s doctor informed her that her kidneys were only ionii When Kathy was first approached about receiving a kidney transplant by a renal nurse she fought the idea. “T said ‘No, I don’t want to put on the list’”. Even though dialysis wasn’t the ideal solution, Kathy felt comfortable with it and knew that many dialysis patients existed for years without a transplant. The nurse suggested that she go on the list anyway and when, or if, the call came that there was a kidney available she could then make the final decision. But getting on the list for a donor kidney is not easy. She would require a physical and her. But that was alright, she had other things to consider. The first thing Kathy remembers after waking up from the surgery was the knowledge that “I’m alive!”. Kathy doesn’t remember much more-than that due to the effect of painkillers and anaesthetic. But later, when speaking with her roommate, she heard an incredible story. “I found out we had received kidneys from the same donor. We had sister kidneys! She lives in Nanaimo and we still keep in touch.” Luckily for Kathy, her kidney took right away. Ten per cent of at 50 per cent of normal. His suggestion to her was to behave herself, don’t drink or smoke, and watch her protein intake. But Kathy “didn’t take her doctor's advice. “I was 23, I wasn’t going to behave myself.” psy 1g before she could be put on the list. In January_of 1989 Kathy travelled to Vancouver where she was assessed and ultimately okayed for the list. “They want to make sure that you're psychologically, emotionally and physically ready ‘There was death from everywhere Staring me in the eyes’ — KATHY GALL kidney transplant recipient For the next two years Kathy continued living an. unaltered lifestyle. When she visited her -doctor—two—years— tater, —as scheduled, she found that the cysts had doubled—and so had the size of her kidneys. The prognosis was grim; within three to five years Kathy would need dialysis. “At that point I smartened up. I thought it was like a death sentence.” Instead of waiting for a medical crisis to dictate when she would begin dialysis, Kathy decided to take control. “I still had enough kidney function to survive without it.” With her kidney function slowly decreasing she knew that it would only be a matter of time before the inevitable . In August of 1990 Kathy went to Trail Regional Hospital for her first dialysis. This only came about after she had visited the unit and spoke with a dialysis Patient who also had polycystic kidneys. “I listened to her, and what I was going through was nothing (compared to her]. She was Teally good. She did a lot of calming me down.” She also credits Bud Godderis, now retired, but who was then a social worker-employed by the hospital, and Dr. Welsh, a said she chose to ignore the possibility. “I think I probably wanted to block it. [My rs death was) really horrible. I was only seven.” It wasn’t until her family doctor asked her in 1983 if she had been tested for kidney disease that she could honestly consider that she P gist [kidney doctor] for educating her about the disease. Kathy said that in retrospect, she now knows that she was more ill than she realized. Feeling continually exhausted, and having a ji diced [yellow] were symptoms she was used to, but which are classic symptoms of kidney disease. to think about that.” Even though she was put on the list, Kathy still had serious dgubts about the splant. =e “Dialysis seemed like the safe choice. People think that a transplant is a cure. It’s not. To me it was quality of life as opposed to quantity of life. There was death from everywhere staring me in the eyes.” Kathy remembers the day she finally decided that she would. have the kidney lant. “It was Feb. 9, 1992. I was having a bad run [complications had set in with hooking her up to the dialysis machine]. I started thinking about it. “The woman next to me was getting a transplant. Here was a woman with children and she took the risk. I decided you have to take risks in life sometimes.” As the evening progressed and her run became increasingly difficult and tedious Kathy looked towards the ceiling-and said a silent prayer. “At that point I just looked up and said, ‘God, I'm ready for this Kathy believes she was heard, because two days later she received a phone call at around 11:30 p.m. from Vancouver. They had a kidney and asked if she wanted it. “I said, ‘Yes, absolutely’.” Kathy raced to Vancouver where she was admitted into St. Paul's Hospital. She found that her roommate at the hospital was also in for a transplant. At that point all she knew was that she would get a kidney. Specifics about where the kidney was acquired wasn’t offered to ip aren't as ft Although Kathy has had several bouts of “mini-rejection”, her doctors were able to reverse them with anti-rejection medication. Today, almost three years later, Kathy is living a lifestyle which at one time she could only dream about even though she will be taking anti-rejection medications for the rest of her life. She stays Physically active and emotionally healthy. Her transplant and the contact she made with cancer and AIDS patients while at St. Paul's helped put her life into perspective. “It was incredibly enlightening. It made me quit feeling sorry for myself. I felt blessed to be with them. I knew I was going to be OK.” Looking back, Kathy reflects upon the person whose kidney she received. Although that donor had to die before Kathy could receive a kidney she wants people to know that they can donate a kidney without that prerequisite. In fact, most people can live normal and healthy lives, with only one functioning kidney. Kathy knows that it’s the ultimate gift,but she also knows that many Canadians are living productive lives because someone cared enough to give them a second chance. “It’s a new lease on life._I look at life totally different now” Today, thanks to one person, she and a woman in Nanaimo embrace a life which they can now call their own. At this time there is a severe shortage of organs available for transplantation in B.C. The number of kidney transplants in B.C. decreased by 25 per cent in 1994. Each year a growing number of British Columbians die while waiting for a transplant March is Kidney Month in Canada. Canvassers will be distributing organ donor stickers to every household on their route If you wish to become an organ donor attach the sticker to your driver's licence and discuss your decision with your family members. Tissue typing for possible kidney donation only requires a simple blood test. For further information contact The Kidney Foundation at 1-800-567-8112 or 736-9775 in Vancouver. KIDNEY FACTS — Q: Who can develop kidney disease? A: Anyone, at any age, and of any background without warning. Q: How many Canadians suffer from kidney disease and related conditions? A: Over one million. Each day, seven Canadians learn their kidneys have failed and that their survival depends on dialysis or a transplant. Q: What are some of the more common causes of kidney failure? A: Diabetes, inflammatory diseases of the kidney, high blood pressure, urinary tract obstructions, drug-induced kidney failure. Senge Q: At what point would a patient require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive? A; When kidneys are functioning at less than 10 per cent of their normal rate. Q: What is dialysis? A: Dialysis is a treatment for kidney failure. Q: How many people are currently on dialysis in B.C.? A: As of December, 1993, there were 830 people on dialysis. Q: How many British Columbians are living with kidney transplants? A; Over 900 people. Q: How ful are kidney tr vs Ay Ninety per cent successful, among the highest in the field of organ transplants. Q: How many British Columbians are waiting for kidney transplants and how long is the wait? A: There are approximately 285 people awaiting kidney transplants in B.C. The average wait for a suitable kidney is 26 months. It may take years. Q: Why wait so long? A: There continues to be a disparity between the number of available organs and the number of people waiting for a kidney. Kidney donations may be. considered from a relative-or close friend if a Suitable match exists. Otherwise, it is necessary to wait for a kidney from an organ donor who has recently died Q: How much can treatment for kidney failure cost? A: The cost varies with the type of treatment required: ote pital, hemodialysi $44,000 annually per patient. + At home, peritoneal dialysis costs $16,000 annually per patient. + Kidney ion is @ one-ti pense of $20,000 with ongoing costs being greatly reduced to less than $5,000 per year. costs app ly Q: How can I get more information about volunteering for The Kidney Foundation of Canada? A: By calling 1-800-567-8112 or 736-9775 in Vancouver. Statistics provided courtesy of The Kidney Foundation of Canada: Story and photo by Karen Kerkhoff