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WEDNESDAY, February 27, 2019
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
LOCAL NEWS
Kamloops cardiologist was a champion of causes Dennis Karpiak (right) with retired Thompson Rivers University professor Ken Blawatt in 2014, when the pair presented their 35-page report on adverse effects on the city if the proposed Ajax copper and gold mine was approved. The mine was rejected by Victoria and Ottawa. KTW FILE PHOTO
SEAN BRADY
STAFF REPORTER
sbrady@kamloopsthisweek.com
Dennis Karpiak, a well-known Kamloops cardiologist and champion of causes, has died. Karpiak died of complications from a lengthy illness on Saturday, Feb. 23, surrounded by his family. He was 75. His son, Andrew Karpiak, said that all things considered, the family is holding up well. “We had the ability to spend the last 24 hours at his bedside. He wasn’t conscious, per se, but we were able to be there with him and I don’t think a lot of people get that opportunity,” he said. Andrew said that at his dad’s request, only family will attend any service or ceremony held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made on behalf of the Karpiak family to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation by calling 250-314-2325 or by going online to rihfoundation. ca. Karpiak was also an advocate for organ transplant and encouraged others to register as organ donors, himself having benefited from
a liver transplant years ago. “That prolonged his life by about 15 years,” his son told KTW. Karpiak served as the Interior board representative for the B.C. Medical Association and was an outspoken advocate for Kamloops when it came to opportunities for the city, including
the long-waged battle for a cancer clinic in Kamloops, which ended up in Kelowna despite his efforts. Andrew said that his father also played a big part in bringing the respiratory health program to Thompson Rivers University. Karpiak also took an active role in the fight
against the proposed Ajax mine, teaming up with Ken Blawatt, a retired Thompson Rivers University business professor, to co-author a 35-page report that cited detrimental effects if the mine south of Aberdeen was approved. The project was ultimately rejected by senior levels of government.
“When he felt strongly about something, he was always there to fight,” Andrew said. RIH Foundation CEO Heidi Coleman recalled how Karpiak helped with a James Bond-themed fundraiser it held one year. “He was amazing. He lent us his Aston Martin — one of his prized sports cars. We were going to put up these velvet ropes up around so no one would touch it and he said, ‘Absolutely not,’ and encouraged people to sit in the car and look inside,” Coleman said. In 1989, Karpiak received a Medal of Bravery from the Governor General of Canada. The medal was for his actions at the Tod Mountain (now known as Sun Peaks) ski area in 1986, when a girl in the chair ahead of him
was left hanging by her broken arm after it was caught in the seat’s safety bar. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to hang on for much longer, and that she might not survive the eight-metre fall, Karpiak jumped from his own chair and hiked to a spot where he could get underneath her to break her fall. He did break her fall and, in doing so, was briefly knocked unconscious, but saved the girl from serious injury. Andrew said the family is still considering how they might honour the man. “My dad obviously lived and breathed that hospital, so for us it’s likely to be something about giving back to the medical system in the city,” he said. “I’m not sure yet.”
Mental-health first-aid training in Kamloops this weekend A new program that provides mental-health first-aid training, intended for the families of veterans, RCMP and first responders, is coming
to Kamloops. The program is being provided with funding from Veterans Affairs Canada and presented by the Mainland B.C.
Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), a nonprofit organization that supports military families everywhere in the province except on
Vancouver Island. “If someone sprains an ankle or is bleeding, we might know what to do, but not very many of us know what to do if
KINDERGARTEN 2019-20
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHILD STARTING KINDERGARTEN THIS YEAR? Join us Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Henry Grube Education Centre at 6:30 p.m. for a presentation and Q&A session with school district staff.
someone has a panic or anxiety attack,” said B.C. MFRC executive director Tracy Cromwell. Along with medically released veterans, the program is also geared toward the families of RCMP members and first responders, who can
face similar issues. The workshops will take place this Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Sandman Signature Hotel, downtown at 225 Lorne St. Deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 28, but
Cromwell said late registrations may be accepted if room is still available. The program is being offered at no cost. To register, email your name, phone number, city and your connection to a veteran (if applicable) to veterans@bcmfrc.com.
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