SUNDAY May
18 2014
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Parkinson’s disease BRIGHT LIGHTS 12
A4K fundraising gala SPORT 29
Do-or-die Dukes live on L o c a l N e w s . L o c a l M at t e r s
INTERACT WITH THE NEWS at N S N E W S .C O M
North Van dad urges vaccination Family hopes to combat low vaccination rate after child almost died of chicken pox JANE SEYD jseyd@nsnews.com
A North Vancouver dad whose son nearly died after catching chicken pox while he was undergoing treatment for leukemia is urging other North Shore parents to get their kids vaccinated. Jason Lawson recalled a terrifying 10 days in B.C. Children’s Hospital when his son Beckett was six, after Beckett became severely ill from the disease. At the time, Beckett was still receiving a maintenance dose of chemotherapy to kill potential cancer cells.That treatment also suppressed Beckett’s immune system. When an unvaccinated child at his North Vancouver elementary school passed on chicken pox, the consequences were dire — at
one point the virus got into Beckett’s liver and started to do damage, which in some cases can be irreversible. In the Lawson family’s case, they were fortunate. Beckett received high dosages of anti-viral drugs and made a full recovery. Today he’s a happy, healthy 10-year-old, into hockey, skiing and biking. But Beckett’s dad says he thinks it’s important for people to know there can be consequences to not getting children vaccinated. “It’s a preventable disease,” he said. “You vaccinate your children to protect the community.” Lawson is speaking out as Vancouver Coastal Health is urging all families of children entering kindergarten in September to make sure their kids’ vaccinations are See Rates page 11
Hikers rescued from Seymour rock face BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
Two hikers had to be flown home from the top of Mount Seymour after becoming gripped by fear and stranded on a steep rock face Thursday evening. The man and woman, both in their early 30s, parked in the Mount
Seymour parking lot and set out for Elsay Lake, a long, remote hike in summer conditions. “They were unprepared for what they found as they started to climb. They were in snow almost right away,” said Doug Pope, North Shore Rescue search manager. “The lady was in sandals, hiking in snow.” See Helicopter page 5
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