Hope to Health’s Winter Clothing Drive helps keep clients warm

The BC-CfE’s Per-SVR (PrEseRvation of Sustained Virologic Response) team, joined this year by staff members of the Hope to Health Clinic, successfully coordinated another winter clothing and sock drive to help support the clients of the Hope to Health clinic.

Throughout November, Per-SVR and Hope to Health staff collected socks and winter clothing like toques, hats, pants, sweaters and jackets. By the end of the month, organizers of the sock and clothing drive counted a total of 266 pair of socks, some coming from donations of socks and some from donations of money. Seven large boxes of winter clothes were also donated.

Per-SVR is part of the BC-CfE’s Targeted Disease Elimination¨ strategy for combatting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in BC. Team members carry out a longitudinal cohort study following people who have been successfully treated for HCV using Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs). The main objectives of Per-SVR are to evaluate access and delivery of HCV treatment and care, and to examine the threshold of risk behaviour that protects against HCV reinfection.

Items collected were distributed to Hope to Health clients on Tuesday, December 7th, at a COVID-safe holiday event with snacks and warm beverages. While many of us don’t stop to consider the impact of clean and warm clothes on our lives, there are some clients of Hope to Health who do not have the luxury of a dependable supply of clothing. Socks are especially important as people experiencing homelessness are at a much higher risk of developing foot health issues.

I was very thankful to be able to provide our clients with socks and warm clothes, especially as the temperature drops and we enter the holiday season. Activities like our holiday event are so important to show our clients that we care, and our clients are so appreciative of the extra things we do here at Hope to Health. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed, it has truly made a difference for our clients!

– Lauren Harrison, Per-SVR Research Assistant

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During the Canada Post strike, the following measures have been undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office.  (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675).
    Certain parts of BC have experienced medication delivery delays of up to 2 weeks by private courier. The pharmacy suggests clients or providers place medication orders with 2-3 weeks advance notice whenever possible.

During this time, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service.