January 28, 2025 • 40 mins
Norm Murray speaks with Margaret Wallis Duffy, the founder of PHAM - Preventative Health Awareness Month, and also with Sandra Murray (Norm's ex-wife, and mother of their son, Benjamin who passed away in July, 2024) about an event coming up that sheds light on the impact of addiction on real people. Hear stories of struggle, hope, and recovery from individuals who have been directly affected by addiction. "Real Lives Touched By Addiction - You Are Not Alone" is happening Saturday, February 15, 20256 at North Bramalea United Church, at 363 Howden Boulevard, Brampton. Visit Eventbrite.ca to reserve a spot at this FREE event: Real Lives Touched By Addiction - You Are Not Alone Registration, Sat, 15 Feb 2025 at 1:00 PM | Eventbrite
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The views expressed in the following program are those of
the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SAGA nine sixty AM or its management.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I'm Nora Murray. You're listening to News Talk SAGA nine sixty.
Thanks for joining us this after You're a pleasure to
be here. You know, this particular show has been on
my radar for a little while now as one of
the most unusual in a good way that I have
ever taken part in, let alone hosted in my entire
(00:54):
broadcast career, which goes back to the nineteen eighties. So
that should tell tell you something about the importance of
it to me. But this isn't about me. It's about
an event that's coming up on February the fifteenth, Saturday.
I hope you'll make plans Saturday afternoon to visit North
Bramley United Church in Brampton. That's right around the Bramley
City Center area. At North Bramley United Church. Saturday on
(01:18):
the fifteenth there is an event called Real Lives Touched
by Addiction. You are not alone. This is a huge
topic of discussion. It's not just in the news. It's
more than that. For many many people, many families. It's
extremely personal, more so than maybe anything else real lives
(01:40):
touched by addiction. You are not alone honoring the memory
of a couple of people actually, and really more than
just a couple of people, but Cale Elliott Warnock, who
you'll hear us discuss in a moment, and Benjamin Murray.
That's my son who passed away in July of life
last year. So this is very important to me. At
(02:03):
North Bramley United Church Saturday, February fifteenth, one o'clock, you
can go to event write for tickets. It's free, but
you should reserve a spot. I expect it'll be busy
and there are some sensational speakers, six of them. Two
of them who are joining us now over the phone.
Margaret Wallace Duffy. Now she is the founder of FAM
(02:25):
that's PHAM Preventative Health Awareness Month recognized by Health Canada.
Mark Duffy and also Sandra Murray, Benjamin's mother and my
ex wife, and she has been journaling like nobody I
know in this journey that we have with our son.
It's about our son, but it's really about the big picture,
and that's why they're here today to talk about this
(02:47):
great event. Coming up, and it is a great event
awareness education. First of all, Mark Duffy, hello and thank
you for joining us. How are you today?
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Well, thank you so much for having me. It's an
absolute honor and I'm great and really honored to be
able to bring this movement and highlight the importance of
this topic about addiction, and of course honored to be
doing it alongside both of you in memory of.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Your son, Sandra. How are you feeling today? You feel good?
Speaker 3 (03:14):
I feel good. I'm really excited about this event because
I think it is so important that we talk about it.
So yeah, I'm really excited.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Lots to share absolutely, Mark, can you tell us about,
first of all a little bit more about the organization
and about the event. I mean, I just sort of
set it up there. You're the one who is organizing
this whole event. How did it come to be? How
did you come to be? I should ask? As founder
of PHAM FAM Well.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Thank you, Norm. Yes, Preventative Health Awareness Months and movement,
because it's not just about a one month champaign. Really
has been my life's work for the past thirty three years.
You know, if I look back as a young girl
in my own health history, went over ten years misdiagnosed
with a being called everything from a hypersensitive only child
(04:07):
to a drug seeking teen and a competitive athlete with
a nervous stomach because it was an excruciating theme. But
I didn't look sick and I was being told it
was all in my head, when in fact I had
a very very serious condition that led to ten surgeries
and four bowel obstructions at a lung collapse, and I
went through menopause at the age of thirty nine. And
I've one of the first people in Canada to actually
(04:29):
undergo a fecal transplant because I almost died from a
hospital horn infection. Why am I telling you this story
because really that is my origin story of when I
started and why I started my clinic, Wallace for Wellness,
which was an award winning preventative and integrated health clinic
that I operated for thirty years in the Brampton community.
And the reason I did that, I really, through my
(04:51):
own personal journey, recognized that if it wasn't for conventional medicine,
I wouldn't be here speaking with you today. But equally,
and it's profoundly true, if it wasn't for complementary medicine.
Notice I didn't say alternative. I wouldn't be here either,
And so that is long before it was cool to
talk about prevention. I opened Wallace for Wellness with this
(05:12):
real mindset to break down the silos, bring both sides
of that equation together, but most importantly, put the average
everyday Canadian at the center of their care and empower
them to become the CEO of their health. Well after
thirty years and forty five thousand patients later and ninety
percent doctor referral, three years ago, I sold my clinic
(05:32):
really so that I had more time to do legacy
work in healthcare, to change the way we approach healthcare
in this country from this pil for nil wait till
it's broken sick care system that is now strained and
really struggling, to one that's more preventative and patient empowered,
one that helps people become the CEO of their health.
(05:53):
And so three years ago I sat in my computer
and I wrote an application to Health Canada and I
poured my heart out about my own personal health story
and about my story as a clinician. I'm I have
a background in kinesiology University of Waterloo. I'm a proud
registered massage therapist, well all kinds of other designations to
go along the way, and had the privilege of working
(06:14):
hand in hand with all kinds of healthcare professionals for
thirty years. But here's what I noticed. You know, there's
all kinds of support once she's got a diagnosis or
once something is broken, but there isn't a lot of
investment time or education on prevention. And although people are
living longer in Canada, they're not living well. And when
we talk about this topic today, which is addiction, there's
(06:36):
an epidemic and there's a crisis, and it's often linked
to so many other things, whether it be mental health
or trauma or abuse. People are struggling. And so I
sent an application to Health Canada saying I wanted to
be the visionary behind the first ever preventative health Awareness
months and movement, that I wanted it to be recognized
(06:56):
by Health Canada, but that I was going to do
it anyway. And my next email I sent out was
to over seventy healthcare professionals from both allapatic and complementary medicine,
from all disciplines of healthcare, and I was overwhelmed and
humbled and literally brought to tears when so many professionals said,
we're in we believe in your mission to stalk the
(07:17):
preventative health toolbox of Canadians. We have to do something
different because this is not currently working, and so FAM
was born. Preventative Health Awareness Month is in February. It
is now Health Canada recognized. We're coming into year three
and this grassroots campaign that is growing every single year.
(07:38):
It's humbling norm to watch what's happening and now moving
across into North America. We've doctors reaching out from the US.
I've got healthcare facilities reaching out and wanting to partake.
And it's a digital campaign along with events like this
special one we're here to talk about today, real lives
touch by addiction. You are not alone to really help
(07:58):
to stalk the toolbox cane so they can feel more
in control, so they can take the strain off the
healthcare system, so we can live well with health span,
not just lifespan. And that's why I'm here today.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Mark Duffy is the founder of FAM PHAM as she
was describing for you, Preventative Health Awareness Month. The event
is Saturday, February the fifteenth, one o'clock in the afternoon
till three point thirty at North Bramley United Church that's
at three sixty three Howden Boulevard in Brampton. Go to
event bright dot Ca for information on reserving a spot.
(08:33):
There's also a donation link, which we'll talk about as
we go along. Six speakers, one of whom is the
mother of my son, Benjamin Murray, Sandra Murray. Sandra as
one of the six speakers. So this is weird, isn't
it talking to me on the radio, right as the first?
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Right, it's the first, it's the first.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
But that's okay. I really want to know how you
became involved with Mark, how you met Mark, and of
course putting together and becoming a part of the speaker lineup,
which I think is fascinating and I fully support and
I'm very very happy about. I wish it was under
different circumstances, obviously, But tell me your words. Anyways, a
(09:19):
bet off your background went leading yourself up to this
speaking point.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Oh absolutely, well, it started really the speaking started because
of Ben. It has been what six years six six
years ago that's when Ben's addiction was you know, pretty
heavy duty in that he was overdosing quite a bit,
(09:45):
and we recognized that we were treated differently when we
went to the hospital, and there was a stigma attached
to it. Even though addiction is a disease like any
other disease, the stigma is very detrimental because it prevents
people from getting the help that they need. And so
skip ahead. Ben was in recovery and he was sober
(10:08):
for three months, and he knew that I would had
the advocacy in me, and he suggested that we need
to get the word out there, and we came up
with our YouTube channel, Spirit to Live and so on
our Spirit to Live it's YouTube dot com slash Spirit
to Lift for anybody that's interested. We have over two
(10:31):
hundred videos. We would share our experiences. We were raw,
we were real because we knew we weren't alone. And
a few years into it, Mark saw our videos and
she got in touch with me and she had her
TV show on Kojako. It is called Mark. I'm sorry,
(10:52):
I can't remember.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
That's okay at the time, I've had shover shows. Yeah,
it was called Better Together as One And you're right, yes,
So I was so taken back by the story and
you and Ben sharing so authentically and unapologetically. I was
drawn to want to share your story.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Yes, yes, exactly, and so I did a segment on
her show and that's where our relationship began. And then
Beam came along and she reached out and I was
one of the ambassadors the first year. Unfortunately, last year
I didn't participate because there was stuff going on. And
(11:29):
here we are in the third year and the Speaker's
event came up, and I am so excited and truly
honored to be asked to participate and share. So it's
because of Ben, and you know, I'm really hoping that,
you know, we are able to empower other families because
(11:51):
you know, we've talked about this Ben. There's so many
Bends out there, and as you know, Norm, we advocated
for Ben, and I you know, educated myself over the years,
and I want to give the family the little shortcut,
you know, because it took me years to get to
a point where I could advocate strongly and sadly, because
(12:13):
our health system isn't set up per success in many ways,
we still we lost Bend. But there are resources out there,
and I will be bringing a number of resources to
this event. And what I'm calling Ben's toolbox and the
different resources that I've used that are out there, because
(12:39):
a lot of people through the YouTube channel have reached
out to me, and they keep it a deep it's
a deep, dark secret, and their immediate family don't even know,
doesn't even know that there's addiction. There's an addiction problem
in the family, and they keep it to themselves and
(13:00):
just makes the loved one sick as well. Yeah, you
know you know what, go ahead, right.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Go ahead, norm I was just going to say, you
know you did. There's one word that stood out for
me there and that is stigma, which we had definitely
faced with our son. The name of the event is
Real Lives Touched by Addiction. You Are not Alone. It's
happening Saturday, February the fifteenth at North Bramley United Church
and that's near Bramley City Center. In there at three
(13:30):
sixty three Howden Boulevard and Brampton go to event bright
dot c A. Now mark, who is Kle Elliott Warnock
because there's a notation on the on the poster, if
I can call it that in memory of Benjamin Murray,
my son, Sandra's son, but also Kyle Elliott Warnock. I
don't know him, but I want to know him. Who
(13:51):
is he?
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Well, I think it's really important to talk about the
others that are on the panel because that person is
connected to one of the other cares. And as you
just said, the event is called Real Lives Touched by Addiction.
We've we've both we've all expressed that addiction has no
boundaries and it's an epidemic in our country and many
families from all walks of life and all you know,
(14:14):
are being touched by this horrible, horrible addiction crisis. And
so what we wanted to do with this event was
to really exactly as Sandra said, talk about real people
that are experiencing walking through this. So this panel is
unique in that Sandra's there. So unfortunately she's lost her
son to addiction Jennifer mccutche, and mum's on a mission.
(14:39):
Her son is currently fighting with addiction and is heading
to a treatment center in February. Actually, but has really
you know, she says, I've been addicted to my addicted
and as said, you can get sick yourself trying to
hear for your loved one. So she's enabled no more.
She's on the panel as a mother can who's experienced it,
(15:00):
you know, as we speak. And then Lady loves Her
brother is the one, unfortunately that lost his life and
he it's in memory of him as well from a
siblings perspective, because everyone has impacted when a loved one
has an addiction. And then there's Luke Laughlin the Inside
(15:21):
Job Project, and you know, he is the beacon of
hope for this conversation because he is an effict and
has a very very challenging and heartbreaking story, one that's
full of trauma and abuse and mental health and as
a result, turned to drugs and alcohol to help numb
(15:44):
his pain, and that led to a lot of things
that he's not proud of and even something he'll speak
it to this at the event, you know, even some
legal issues. But what Luke has chosen to do in
diving into his toolbox two years ago when FAM starts,
he was just in the early days of his recovery.
And I've had the privilege of getting to know Luke.
(16:05):
I didn't know him as an addict in the active addiction.
This is just like I'm sure I didn't meet them personally,
but I can imagine they're real people.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
They're good people.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
They just happen to be struggling with addiction. But Luke
has worked his tools for two years every day and
just celebrated two years of sobriety, and he's going to
be at that event to tell his story and how
it's been for him watching his loved ones, his parents suffer,
his siblings stuff, or his relationships suffer. So this event
(16:36):
is really talking about real people with real issues, and
everybody's lens around that, and all of us are going
to try to stalk the toolbox to help people, whether
it be the addict or the loved one of somebody
who's struggling with addiction, so that they can get into
the driver's seat. And so we can also be together
(16:56):
lobbying for change in our healthcare system, for prevention and
trying to help people before unfortunately they have the result
that your beautiful son did Ben's. And this is why
I reached out this time to Sandra. I boldly said
to her his name, Ben's name will not be his
(17:18):
legacy will live on, and if Sam can be a
platform in order to change the future in his memory,
I will be honored to be part of that. And
that's what this event is about.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I don't want to leave anybody out who is Les Schmidt.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
So Les Smith is a wonderful motivational speaker and a
gentleman that has struggled significantly with mental health. I don't
want to give too much away because he is such
a captivating speaker, but he is going to be there
to also talk about the hope of with mental health.
And they're tied together mount of health and addiction. Although
(17:53):
in our system are often treated in silos, we know
they both interact and one impacts the other and we
have to look at this holistically. So Less is going
to be there to talk about some of the ways
that he has helped to cope with his mental health,
and in particular, I mean addiction impacts everyone male and female,
(18:14):
but there is a high percentage of men that really
struggle with addiction and often lose their life to mental
health and addiction. And so Less is going to be
there to share his personal story with the struggle of
mental health to bring hope as well, because this day
is also about providing hope. Yes, we're grieving the loss
of Ben and others that are struggling with addiction or
(18:37):
have lost their struggle with addiction. But if we're going
to change the future, we have to get real and
have real conversations and then provide tools and hope moving
forward so we can change the way we address this
in our country.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
The name of the event is Real Lives Touched by
Addiction You Are Not Alone. It's Saturday, February the fifteenth,
North Bramley United Church, Brampton at three sixty three Howden
Boulevard from one until three point thirty in the afternoon.
An event that's going to shed light on the impact
of addiction on real people as they're saying stories of struggle,
(19:12):
hope and recovery from individuals who have been directly affected
by addiction. The event is hosted by FAM Preventative Health
Awareness Month recognized by Health Canada, aiming to raise awareness,
foster understanding and provide educational support to those in need.
It's a real opportunity to connect with others and learn
from their experiences that recovery and healing is possible. I
(19:35):
wanted to ask you guys about the donate link on
the website at event right. It's a free event designed
to be accessible to everyone. Everybody is warmly invited and
donations though are warmly invited, with portions going to support
the William Osler Health System, honoring the memory of two people,
and more than two people, really, my son Benjamin Murray
(19:58):
and Cale Elliott Warren, along with all those who have
lost their lives to what really is a disease or
are courageously fighting for their recovery. Can you tell us
a little bit, Mark first about the connection to the
William Osler Health System and the donation link and where
the money is going to.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Your knowledge, well, you know what, I think I will
actually pass such to Sandra because he's an instrumental because
Ben had the privilege of using the resources of that
recovery center. So why don't you say that? And then
I'll speak to the way the other way people can
also donate, which is unique, and I think we want
to make sure we talk about global coin solutions and
(20:35):
how people can help.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
This is the wellness center that Ben would go to.
Is that right? Specifically?
Speaker 3 (20:42):
Correct?
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Okay, good, I'm glad to hear that. Can you explain
why you think I'd be glad to hear that? Because
I know you know, oh.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Freaking lutely, the link will lead you to a page
that we put up when Ben passed away, and the
money goes directly to the withdrawal the william O's the
Withdrawal Center in Brampton. They were instrumental in helping Ben
get to treatment centers. They have some great programs there
(21:14):
and Ben called it his second home. And so if
anybody is wanting to donate and help, I know that
there's a number of people that have been supported by
the Withdrawal Center. Yeah, thanks for the money is going.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
I remember I can remember Ben saying, you know that
if you ever came into money or won a lottery
or something like that, he would want to give money
to the Withdrawal Center and set them up and get
them everything they need. And they need a lot but
they are they may be small, but they're mighty, and
they're local. They're right here. So you're donating locally and
there's no pressure to donate. It really is just an invitation.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Now.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
The event is free, you can reserve a spot, and
I know everybody would love to see you out there.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
So yes, and Norma, we have a really unique and
innovative way now in these times where people are struggling
even to put food on their table. In some cases
there is a way to donate that you might not realize.
It's innovative and we're really proud. Preventative Health Awareness Month
has a charity partner called global Coin Solutions, and I
(22:22):
really want to tell you about this because we are
continuing to raise money for all different causes throughout the
month of February Trip Preventive Health Month, and of course
on the fifteenth with real life touch by addiction. Do
you know that foreign currency? So perhaps you've gone on
a trip lately and you might have foreign currency from
anywhere around the world. It doesn't have any value to you.
(22:45):
You can't take it back to the bank, you can't
buy a coffee with it. But thanks to the innovation
and the incredible founder Scott Hutchings of global Coin Solutions,
who I actually happened to go to high school with.
Believe it or not, he started this company that repatriates
foreign currency back to the place of its origin where
then it becomes valuable. It takes it out of the landfill.
(23:07):
Because the number of people, you know, maybe Grandma, you know,
cent her whole life traveling and she's got a drawer
sitting with money at home, but it can't be taken
back to the bank, it can't be used, but what
it can do when it gets into the hands of
Global Coin Solutions is to be converted into Canadian money
and donated to charity. It is a brilliant, brilliant way
(23:30):
for all people to be able to give back, and
the stats are staggering. It's estimated that there's over two
billion dollars sitting in the bedside tables of Canadians that
could help a wide range of charities. We are so
honored that they are partnered with SAM because not only
is this the mission to give free education for twenty
(23:51):
eight days straight, to stock the toolbox of Canadians to
empower them to be the CEO of their health, but
I truly believe giving back is good for our health.
And that's actually one day in FAM on February tenth,
giving back is Good for your Health Day. And we
want to give back to charity so that we can
actually make sure this mission moves forward in changing the
(24:12):
legacy of healthcare. How do we do that by giving
money to places like the Withdrawal Center or to other
organization food banks or Children's Aid or wherever we can
send the money in order to change the legacy of
healthcare in this country. So if you're coming to the
event or any event at FAM make you can make
a donation of Canadian money, but you can also bring
(24:35):
your foreign currency because we're going to convert that, we're
going to repatriate it back to the country where it
came from. We're going to take that out of the landfills,
and we're going to make sure we're donating to worthwhile
local causes and together we can make a difference.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
So Mark, before I wanted to ask Sanders something again
in a moment, but Mark, what for Preventative Health Awareness Month?
Is there a website or social media platforms on any
of them where we can follow you? Where we can absolutely?
Where can we go?
Speaker 1 (25:06):
So www dot samhub, dot CAUs.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
P h A m h U B yes, correct, dot go.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Ahead, yep, And there is a landing page you'll see
the calendar of events. We also have a blog and
on Instagram it's sam Hub dot CAA. On Facebook it's
become the CEO of your Health. And our YouTube channel
is become the CEO of your Health. And if you
want to follow us on Spotify, we have Famcast Preventedive
(25:37):
Health Awareness movement podcasts where you're going to get all
kinds of education from our wide range of healthcare professionals
and organizations who believe in this mission to help you
become the CEO of your health and to change the
legacy of healthcare in this country. If we want change,
we have to be part of the solution, not just
sit back and complain and be part of the problem.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
The name of the event is Real Lives Touch by Addiction.
You Are Not Alone. Saturday February fifteenth, North Bramley United
Church in Brampton at three sixty three Howden Boulevard, right
near right around Bramley City Center. It's very easy to find.
There's a map on the event bright dot C a
location and spot. Look it up on event bright. It's
(26:19):
a free admission. You can reserve a spot there, which
is probably a good idea. Event bright dot CA Real
Lives Touched by Addiction. You Are Not Alone. Six speakers,
including the mother of my son and my former wife,
Sandra Murray, who's going to be touching a touching should
be talking. I'm looking at the ad here, says Mom.
Touched by Addiction. You are touched by addiction. Of course,
(26:41):
as we both are now. I wanted to ask you,
I mean, you know you and I. When people hear
about ox wife, ex husband, all this sort of stuff,
I want everyone to know how united Sandra and I
and our extended families are and continue to be and
will always be. When it comes to the interest of
our children. There's a lot of love there. So I
(27:03):
just wanted to ask you what are you bringing? I
know you mentioned Ben's toolbox as you said, what are
you bringing in? What are you hoping to get back
or to you know, to experience on February fifteenth.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
Well, I really want people to know that they're not alone,
hence the title, and I want people to know who
Ben was, you know. I want them to know that
addiction does not discriminate. It could happen to anybody. And
I want the family members to know that, you know,
(27:37):
they did nothing wrong in many cases, like there was
interbus in Ben's family, but he did have some mental
health issues and that we didn't cause it. And I
know as parents we sometimes question could we have done
something different? What if we did this. I want people
to know that they're not alone, you didn't cause it,
(28:02):
and that they're human beings. Ben made a difference in
so many people's lives because and I want people to
know who he was. He was that little boy. You
know we talk about him writing his Unice cycle and
his state board and you know, playing with his cousins
(28:22):
and taking care of them. He was a caregiver. And
I want people to see the human behind the addict.
The stigma comes from people that have they have an
addiction problem, that don't have money, and it comes from
people seeing them panhandling or living on the streets. That's
(28:45):
not who they are, that's the addiction. I want people
to recognize the difference between the addiction and the human
behind the addiction. Ben. Because of Ben and I could
and I could tell stories and maybe jel a couple
of the stories on the fifteen that Ben actually helped
someone who is still in recovery after four years. He
(29:09):
did a special video for this person because this person
I know the mom, and she wanted She had shared
our video with her son and he took to Ben
because Ben was out there. He was sharing his experience
and many people can relate to Ben. And so she
asked if then would do a video for her, Mark
(29:33):
him directly.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Mark, do you hear this all the time. What I'm
about to say, and that is that our son was
twenty seven years of age. That it's not just something
that teenagers are having a problem with. When we think of, oh,
it's got to be the youth, it's the young kids
are getting into drugs, blah blah blah. It's not that,
is it.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
It is, as Sandras so eloquently said, it does not
discriminate race, sex, a age. And of course with the
mental health piece, I mean, we're seeing rises in addiction
in seniors, we're seeing it in high functioning individuals like
your doctors and your pilots, and so you're absolutely right, Sandra.
(30:15):
It's not a skid row people. These are human beings
that live full and wonderful lives with loving families. And yes,
we've got to get rid of the stigma. But the
only way we can get rid of the stigma is
by having real, honest conversations like the one we're having
now and the ones you're going to have on the fifteenth,
because that is how we're going to start to create
(30:36):
change and allow you know, shedding light on the darkness,
show us and show us a path forward. And you
know that's why I you know, I reached out to
Sandra with this event to say, this is an opportunity
in your grief and as a parent, my heart goes
out to both of you. But in your grief then
can continue to make a difference for future and generations
(30:58):
to come when it comes to it and getting help
for more people.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
Mark Duffin, this is about Mark Duffie's a founder of FAM.
Jennifer McCutchen will be there. She's a mom on a
mission and recovery coach. As it says here on the
poster for the event. Luke Laughlin a recovery advocate and
as you said, an addict himself, and I admire his
strength and of course and bravery really to come out
(31:24):
to the event to speak. Laane Love who you mentioned,
and also Less Schmidt will also be there. And it's
all happening February the fifteenth, on a Saturday, from one
till three thirty in the afternoon. Now it's the whole month,
right Mark, So what else is going on? Can you
express a bit more about what else we can look
forward to? Are there any other calendar events we should watch.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
For or you bet if you go to the website
there's a twenty eight days jam packed full of education
for every age and stage of life, from pregnancy through
to palliative care. So each week has a theme according
to the Pillars of Wellness. So the first week is
all about, you know, changing our mindset and health esteem,
switching the mindset from waiting till things are broken to
(32:07):
one that's more proactive. We have a whole week about
nutrition and food, the importance of food and fueling our bodies.
Well of course movement and mobility. You know, as a
massage therapist and a background in kinesiology, if we don't move,
we can't move. The movement is critically important and at
the foundation of overall health. And then an entire week
(32:27):
on stress and sleep. And then within those weeks we
have different focused specialty days. So we have a bone
health Day, which I'm very excited about. We have a
Happy Hormones Day, talking about hormones. We have a men's
health Day, we have a cancer prevention Day, we have
an eating Disorder's Day, so there's something for everyone. It
(32:48):
sounds broad and hence why I must admit it's overwhelming
and I'm humbled to be leading this mission. That's grassroots
not funded. I do want to give a shout out
to the current few sponsors that are helping us, because
to create this kind of educational campaign for a month long,
with over sixty healthcare professionals giving of their time, it
(33:11):
is a huge undertaking. And you know, and we don't
have funding. This is grassroots. This is a passion project
and so it really matters to us that people get
on there they engage, because how are we going to
change the future of healthcare? How are we going to
ask our change makers and policymakers to change things if
we aren't showing that Canadians need this and want this.
(33:33):
And you know, it's very evident right now a lot
of Canadians don't even have a family doctor. And what
this program is in mind to do, and this movement
is to help put you into the driver's seat of
your health. You need to be accountable. You're the most
important member of your healthcare team and together through the
ages and stages of life. I want to really promote
a health span instead of just lifespan. We want to
(33:56):
live well for the days that we're here and we
need to do that better.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
To other you know, the coroner for our son mentioned
to Sandra and myself together that he had never known
a family like ours and hadn't spoken to anybody who
had taken such not just an interest and love for
their son, but really an active role, especially for Sandra
in journaling and keeping track of everything. And I think
(34:21):
the system really hasn't met people in that ilk as
much as we need to have out there. And so
I don't know about you, Sandra, you put it in
better words than me, but first of all, I want
to know what YouTube channel it is again so people
can meet our son, as you mentioned earlier, and also
(34:42):
what suggestions do you have for family members going forward?
If you had to give advice and you lived it,
I lived it, but you journaled it, what would you say?
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Yes, Okay, First off, the YouTube channel is a Spirit
to Live, So if you go to YouTube dot com
slash Spirit to Live, it'll come up, and if you
look at a lot of the earlier videos you'll see.
Then what I would tell them is that the supports
are out there talk to people. Unfortunately, like I said earlier,
(35:19):
the stigma prevents people from getting help, and when you
don't talk about it, you don't know that the support
is out there. And so on my videos, actually in
almost every single one, if they go to the comments,
I have links there to different supports EMHA, the Withdrawal Center,
(35:40):
narnn is for loved ones, and then there's NA Narcotics
Anonymous for the addicts. So there are a number of resources.
I want them to know that they're not alone, they
didn't cause it, and that this is a health issue.
It's not a criminal issue. It is a health issue.
It is a chronic disorder, addiction and mental health. They're
(36:02):
connected their concurrent disorder, and they are not alone. The
support is there.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
And if I could just jump in and add to that,
because what really got me nor and watching Sandra do
this with Ben and share really candidly and aesthentically and
unapologetically as a mother and I am a mother, and
I'm going to try to say this without who getting careful,
and that is and this is the this is a
(36:29):
therapist in me and my whole mission to help people,
you know, have self love and take care of themselves.
You can be addicted to your addicted and one of
the things that Sandra always talks about and has lived
as hard as it was, I'm sure Sandra, as a
parent and that was she also talked about needing to
be taking care of herself, doing self care for her
(36:51):
as well. And then and because in doing that, you're
also loving your loved one that's suffering with an addiction.
And a couple of several of the people on the
panel are going to talk about that, and I think
it's a really critical piece that these poor families that
are struggling as well, they need help to they need
the self care and resources because addiction is a family disease.
(37:14):
It impacts the grandparents, it impacts the neighbors, it impacts
the siblings, and we have to we can't forget about
the family. So these toolboxes and that's you know, kind
of what FAM's going to be there all months to
do is to stock your toolbox so you can take
care of yourself. And Sandra, you so beautifully talked about
that many times and you'll do that again moving forward.
(37:35):
And how important that is, and I.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
Just want to say, yes, I had that written down.
It is a family disease. For every addict, there's another five, ten, fifteen,
twenty people that love them or more they are affected
and self care. You know, you go on the airplane,
they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself.
They say that for a reason, because you are no
good to anybody if you're not healthy. And I always say,
(38:01):
I always used to say to event, I'm going to
love you to live. I'm not going to love you
to death. I'm going to love you to live. And
there are two l's that helped me to do that,
and I will talk about them on the fifteenth.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Saturday, February the fifteenth. The name of the event when
you go to event bright dot ca A, it's Real
Lives Touched by Addiction. You are not alone, Real lives
Touched by addiction. You are not alone. North Bramley United
Church at three sixty three houd In Boulevard and Brampton.
That's around Bramily City Center. It's an event that sheds
(38:38):
light on the impact of addiction on real people. He'll
hear stories of struggle and hope and recovery. It's also
going to be uplifting. Marg and Sandra. Thank you both
for being here. I know we could go on for hours,
and we will, and we should, and we all should
and empower ourselves with this information going forward, because then
(38:58):
only then can change Chap and I think but Mark,
all the best to you with fam and we look
forward to the event and we'll speak again, I'm sure soon.
Speaker 1 (39:07):
Thank you, thank you for the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
Thank you, no, I'm so much. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
Sandra, yeah, thank you, and thanks for not making it awkward.
You and I you know, have been through this journey
together with our son and with our daughter as I
don't want to leave Lindsay out of it either and
she's not. But to your point, Mark, absolutely it's and
Sandra for the family, families are affected. So anyway, to
(39:35):
look forward to the fifteenth, good luck at the event
with everybody there, it should be very very strong and positive.
Thank you. I'm Norm Murray. This is News Talk Saga
at nine sixty. We'll be back right after this
Speaker 1 (39:58):
Streams live at SAGA nine sixty am dot co
The views expressed in the following program are those of
the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SAGA nine sixty AM or its management.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I'm Nora Murray. You're listening to News Talk SAGA nine sixty.
Thanks for joining us this after You're a pleasure to
be here. You know, this particular show has been on
my radar for a little while now as one of
the most unusual in a good way that I have
ever taken part in, let alone hosted in my entire
(00:54):
broadcast career, which goes back to the nineteen eighties. So
that should tell tell you something about the importance of
it to me. But this isn't about me. It's about
an event that's coming up on February the fifteenth, Saturday.
I hope you'll make plans Saturday afternoon to visit North
Bramley United Church in Brampton. That's right around the Bramley
City Center area. At North Bramley United Church. Saturday on
(01:18):
the fifteenth there is an event called Real Lives Touched
by Addiction. You are not alone. This is a huge
topic of discussion. It's not just in the news. It's
more than that. For many many people, many families. It's
extremely personal, more so than maybe anything else real lives
(01:40):
touched by addiction. You are not alone honoring the memory
of a couple of people actually, and really more than
just a couple of people, but Cale Elliott Warnock, who
you'll hear us discuss in a moment, and Benjamin Murray.
That's my son who passed away in July of life
last year. So this is very important to me. At
(02:03):
North Bramley United Church Saturday, February fifteenth, one o'clock, you
can go to event write for tickets. It's free, but
you should reserve a spot. I expect it'll be busy
and there are some sensational speakers, six of them. Two
of them who are joining us now over the phone.
Margaret Wallace Duffy. Now she is the founder of FAM
(02:25):
that's PHAM Preventative Health Awareness Month recognized by Health Canada.
Mark Duffy and also Sandra Murray, Benjamin's mother and my
ex wife, and she has been journaling like nobody I
know in this journey that we have with our son.
It's about our son, but it's really about the big picture,
and that's why they're here today to talk about this
(02:47):
great event. Coming up, and it is a great event
awareness education. First of all, Mark Duffy, hello and thank
you for joining us. How are you today?
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Well, thank you so much for having me. It's an
absolute honor and I'm great and really honored to be
able to bring this movement and highlight the importance of
this topic about addiction, and of course honored to be
doing it alongside both of you in memory of.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Your son, Sandra. How are you feeling today? You feel good?
Speaker 3 (03:14):
I feel good. I'm really excited about this event because
I think it is so important that we talk about it.
So yeah, I'm really excited.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Lots to share absolutely, Mark, can you tell us about,
first of all a little bit more about the organization
and about the event. I mean, I just sort of
set it up there. You're the one who is organizing
this whole event. How did it come to be? How
did you come to be? I should ask? As founder
of PHAM FAM Well.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Thank you, Norm. Yes, Preventative Health Awareness Months and movement,
because it's not just about a one month champaign. Really
has been my life's work for the past thirty three years.
You know, if I look back as a young girl
in my own health history, went over ten years misdiagnosed
with a being called everything from a hypersensitive only child
(04:07):
to a drug seeking teen and a competitive athlete with
a nervous stomach because it was an excruciating theme. But
I didn't look sick and I was being told it
was all in my head, when in fact I had
a very very serious condition that led to ten surgeries
and four bowel obstructions at a lung collapse, and I
went through menopause at the age of thirty nine. And
I've one of the first people in Canada to actually
(04:29):
undergo a fecal transplant because I almost died from a
hospital horn infection. Why am I telling you this story
because really that is my origin story of when I
started and why I started my clinic, Wallace for Wellness,
which was an award winning preventative and integrated health clinic
that I operated for thirty years in the Brampton community.
And the reason I did that, I really, through my
(04:51):
own personal journey, recognized that if it wasn't for conventional medicine,
I wouldn't be here speaking with you today. But equally,
and it's profoundly true, if it wasn't for complementary medicine.
Notice I didn't say alternative. I wouldn't be here either,
And so that is long before it was cool to
talk about prevention. I opened Wallace for Wellness with this
(05:12):
real mindset to break down the silos, bring both sides
of that equation together, but most importantly, put the average
everyday Canadian at the center of their care and empower
them to become the CEO of their health. Well after
thirty years and forty five thousand patients later and ninety
percent doctor referral, three years ago, I sold my clinic
(05:32):
really so that I had more time to do legacy
work in healthcare, to change the way we approach healthcare
in this country from this pil for nil wait till
it's broken sick care system that is now strained and
really struggling, to one that's more preventative and patient empowered,
one that helps people become the CEO of their health.
(05:53):
And so three years ago I sat in my computer
and I wrote an application to Health Canada and I
poured my heart out about my own personal health story
and about my story as a clinician. I'm I have
a background in kinesiology University of Waterloo. I'm a proud
registered massage therapist, well all kinds of other designations to
go along the way, and had the privilege of working
(06:14):
hand in hand with all kinds of healthcare professionals for
thirty years. But here's what I noticed. You know, there's
all kinds of support once she's got a diagnosis or
once something is broken, but there isn't a lot of
investment time or education on prevention. And although people are
living longer in Canada, they're not living well. And when
we talk about this topic today, which is addiction, there's
(06:36):
an epidemic and there's a crisis, and it's often linked
to so many other things, whether it be mental health
or trauma or abuse. People are struggling. And so I
sent an application to Health Canada saying I wanted to
be the visionary behind the first ever preventative health Awareness
months and movement, that I wanted it to be recognized
(06:56):
by Health Canada, but that I was going to do
it anyway. And my next email I sent out was
to over seventy healthcare professionals from both allapatic and complementary medicine,
from all disciplines of healthcare, and I was overwhelmed and
humbled and literally brought to tears when so many professionals said,
we're in we believe in your mission to stalk the
(07:17):
preventative health toolbox of Canadians. We have to do something
different because this is not currently working, and so FAM
was born. Preventative Health Awareness Month is in February. It
is now Health Canada recognized. We're coming into year three
and this grassroots campaign that is growing every single year.
(07:38):
It's humbling norm to watch what's happening and now moving
across into North America. We've doctors reaching out from the US.
I've got healthcare facilities reaching out and wanting to partake.
And it's a digital campaign along with events like this
special one we're here to talk about today, real lives
touch by addiction. You are not alone to really help
(07:58):
to stalk the toolbox cane so they can feel more
in control, so they can take the strain off the
healthcare system, so we can live well with health span,
not just lifespan. And that's why I'm here today.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Mark Duffy is the founder of FAM PHAM as she
was describing for you, Preventative Health Awareness Month. The event
is Saturday, February the fifteenth, one o'clock in the afternoon
till three point thirty at North Bramley United Church that's
at three sixty three Howden Boulevard in Brampton. Go to
event bright dot Ca for information on reserving a spot.
(08:33):
There's also a donation link, which we'll talk about as
we go along. Six speakers, one of whom is the
mother of my son, Benjamin Murray, Sandra Murray. Sandra as
one of the six speakers. So this is weird, isn't
it talking to me on the radio, right as the first?
Speaker 3 (08:52):
Right, it's the first, it's the first.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
But that's okay. I really want to know how you
became involved with Mark, how you met Mark, and of
course putting together and becoming a part of the speaker lineup,
which I think is fascinating and I fully support and
I'm very very happy about. I wish it was under
different circumstances, obviously, But tell me your words. Anyways, a
(09:19):
bet off your background went leading yourself up to this
speaking point.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Oh absolutely, well, it started really the speaking started because
of Ben. It has been what six years six six
years ago that's when Ben's addiction was you know, pretty
heavy duty in that he was overdosing quite a bit,
(09:45):
and we recognized that we were treated differently when we
went to the hospital, and there was a stigma attached
to it. Even though addiction is a disease like any
other disease, the stigma is very detrimental because it prevents
people from getting the help that they need. And so
skip ahead. Ben was in recovery and he was sober
(10:08):
for three months, and he knew that I would had
the advocacy in me, and he suggested that we need
to get the word out there, and we came up
with our YouTube channel, Spirit to Live and so on
our Spirit to Live it's YouTube dot com slash Spirit
to Lift for anybody that's interested. We have over two
(10:31):
hundred videos. We would share our experiences. We were raw,
we were real because we knew we weren't alone. And
a few years into it, Mark saw our videos and
she got in touch with me and she had her
TV show on Kojako. It is called Mark. I'm sorry,
(10:52):
I can't remember.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
That's okay at the time, I've had shover shows. Yeah,
it was called Better Together as One And you're right, yes,
So I was so taken back by the story and
you and Ben sharing so authentically and unapologetically. I was
drawn to want to share your story.
Speaker 3 (11:09):
Yes, yes, exactly, and so I did a segment on
her show and that's where our relationship began. And then
Beam came along and she reached out and I was
one of the ambassadors the first year. Unfortunately, last year
I didn't participate because there was stuff going on. And
(11:29):
here we are in the third year and the Speaker's
event came up, and I am so excited and truly
honored to be asked to participate and share. So it's
because of Ben, and you know, I'm really hoping that,
you know, we are able to empower other families because
(11:51):
you know, we've talked about this Ben. There's so many
Bends out there, and as you know, Norm, we advocated
for Ben, and I you know, educated myself over the years,
and I want to give the family the little shortcut,
you know, because it took me years to get to
a point where I could advocate strongly and sadly, because
(12:13):
our health system isn't set up per success in many ways,
we still we lost Bend. But there are resources out there,
and I will be bringing a number of resources to
this event. And what I'm calling Ben's toolbox and the
different resources that I've used that are out there, because
(12:39):
a lot of people through the YouTube channel have reached
out to me, and they keep it a deep it's
a deep, dark secret, and their immediate family don't even know,
doesn't even know that there's addiction. There's an addiction problem
in the family, and they keep it to themselves and
(13:00):
just makes the loved one sick as well. Yeah, you
know you know what, go ahead, right.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Go ahead, norm I was just going to say, you
know you did. There's one word that stood out for
me there and that is stigma, which we had definitely
faced with our son. The name of the event is
Real Lives Touched by Addiction. You Are not Alone. It's
happening Saturday, February the fifteenth at North Bramley United Church
and that's near Bramley City Center. In there at three
(13:30):
sixty three Howden Boulevard and Brampton go to event bright
dot c A. Now mark, who is Kle Elliott Warnock
because there's a notation on the on the poster, if
I can call it that in memory of Benjamin Murray,
my son, Sandra's son, but also Kyle Elliott Warnock. I
don't know him, but I want to know him. Who
(13:51):
is he?
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Well, I think it's really important to talk about the
others that are on the panel because that person is
connected to one of the other cares. And as you
just said, the event is called Real Lives Touched by Addiction.
We've we've both we've all expressed that addiction has no
boundaries and it's an epidemic in our country and many
families from all walks of life and all you know,
(14:14):
are being touched by this horrible, horrible addiction crisis. And
so what we wanted to do with this event was
to really exactly as Sandra said, talk about real people
that are experiencing walking through this. So this panel is
unique in that Sandra's there. So unfortunately she's lost her
son to addiction Jennifer mccutche, and mum's on a mission.
(14:39):
Her son is currently fighting with addiction and is heading
to a treatment center in February. Actually, but has really
you know, she says, I've been addicted to my addicted
and as said, you can get sick yourself trying to
hear for your loved one. So she's enabled no more.
She's on the panel as a mother can who's experienced it,
(15:00):
you know, as we speak. And then Lady loves Her
brother is the one, unfortunately that lost his life and
he it's in memory of him as well from a
siblings perspective, because everyone has impacted when a loved one
has an addiction. And then there's Luke Laughlin the Inside
(15:21):
Job Project, and you know, he is the beacon of
hope for this conversation because he is an effict and
has a very very challenging and heartbreaking story, one that's
full of trauma and abuse and mental health and as
a result, turned to drugs and alcohol to help numb
(15:44):
his pain, and that led to a lot of things
that he's not proud of and even something he'll speak
it to this at the event, you know, even some
legal issues. But what Luke has chosen to do in
diving into his toolbox two years ago when FAM starts,
he was just in the early days of his recovery.
And I've had the privilege of getting to know Luke.
(16:05):
I didn't know him as an addict in the active addiction.
This is just like I'm sure I didn't meet them personally,
but I can imagine they're real people.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
They're good people.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
They just happen to be struggling with addiction. But Luke
has worked his tools for two years every day and
just celebrated two years of sobriety, and he's going to
be at that event to tell his story and how
it's been for him watching his loved ones, his parents suffer,
his siblings stuff, or his relationships suffer. So this event
(16:36):
is really talking about real people with real issues, and
everybody's lens around that, and all of us are going
to try to stalk the toolbox to help people, whether
it be the addict or the loved one of somebody
who's struggling with addiction, so that they can get into
the driver's seat. And so we can also be together
(16:56):
lobbying for change in our healthcare system, for prevention and
trying to help people before unfortunately they have the result
that your beautiful son did Ben's. And this is why
I reached out this time to Sandra. I boldly said
to her his name, Ben's name will not be his
(17:18):
legacy will live on, and if Sam can be a
platform in order to change the future in his memory,
I will be honored to be part of that. And
that's what this event is about.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
I don't want to leave anybody out who is Les Schmidt.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
So Les Smith is a wonderful motivational speaker and a
gentleman that has struggled significantly with mental health. I don't
want to give too much away because he is such
a captivating speaker, but he is going to be there
to also talk about the hope of with mental health.
And they're tied together mount of health and addiction. Although
(17:53):
in our system are often treated in silos, we know
they both interact and one impacts the other and we
have to look at this holistically. So Less is going
to be there to talk about some of the ways
that he has helped to cope with his mental health,
and in particular, I mean addiction impacts everyone male and female,
(18:14):
but there is a high percentage of men that really
struggle with addiction and often lose their life to mental
health and addiction. And so Less is going to be
there to share his personal story with the struggle of
mental health to bring hope as well, because this day
is also about providing hope. Yes, we're grieving the loss
of Ben and others that are struggling with addiction or
(18:37):
have lost their struggle with addiction. But if we're going
to change the future, we have to get real and
have real conversations and then provide tools and hope moving
forward so we can change the way we address this
in our country.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
The name of the event is Real Lives Touched by
Addiction You Are Not Alone. It's Saturday, February the fifteenth,
North Bramley United Church, Brampton at three sixty three Howden
Boulevard from one until three point thirty in the afternoon.
An event that's going to shed light on the impact
of addiction on real people as they're saying stories of struggle,
(19:12):
hope and recovery from individuals who have been directly affected
by addiction. The event is hosted by FAM Preventative Health
Awareness Month recognized by Health Canada, aiming to raise awareness,
foster understanding and provide educational support to those in need.
It's a real opportunity to connect with others and learn
from their experiences that recovery and healing is possible. I
(19:35):
wanted to ask you guys about the donate link on
the website at event right. It's a free event designed
to be accessible to everyone. Everybody is warmly invited and
donations though are warmly invited, with portions going to support
the William Osler Health System, honoring the memory of two people,
and more than two people, really, my son Benjamin Murray
(19:58):
and Cale Elliott Warren, along with all those who have
lost their lives to what really is a disease or
are courageously fighting for their recovery. Can you tell us
a little bit, Mark first about the connection to the
William Osler Health System and the donation link and where
the money is going to.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Your knowledge, well, you know what, I think I will
actually pass such to Sandra because he's an instrumental because
Ben had the privilege of using the resources of that
recovery center. So why don't you say that? And then
I'll speak to the way the other way people can
also donate, which is unique, and I think we want
to make sure we talk about global coin solutions and
(20:35):
how people can help.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
This is the wellness center that Ben would go to.
Is that right? Specifically?
Speaker 3 (20:42):
Correct?
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Okay, good, I'm glad to hear that. Can you explain
why you think I'd be glad to hear that? Because
I know you know, oh.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Freaking lutely, the link will lead you to a page
that we put up when Ben passed away, and the
money goes directly to the withdrawal the william O's the
Withdrawal Center in Brampton. They were instrumental in helping Ben
get to treatment centers. They have some great programs there
(21:14):
and Ben called it his second home. And so if
anybody is wanting to donate and help, I know that
there's a number of people that have been supported by
the Withdrawal Center. Yeah, thanks for the money is going.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
I remember I can remember Ben saying, you know that
if you ever came into money or won a lottery
or something like that, he would want to give money
to the Withdrawal Center and set them up and get
them everything they need. And they need a lot but
they are they may be small, but they're mighty, and
they're local. They're right here. So you're donating locally and
there's no pressure to donate. It really is just an invitation.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Now.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
The event is free, you can reserve a spot, and
I know everybody would love to see you out there.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
So yes, and Norma, we have a really unique and
innovative way now in these times where people are struggling
even to put food on their table. In some cases
there is a way to donate that you might not realize.
It's innovative and we're really proud. Preventative Health Awareness Month
has a charity partner called global Coin Solutions, and I
(22:22):
really want to tell you about this because we are
continuing to raise money for all different causes throughout the
month of February Trip Preventive Health Month, and of course
on the fifteenth with real life touch by addiction. Do
you know that foreign currency? So perhaps you've gone on
a trip lately and you might have foreign currency from
anywhere around the world. It doesn't have any value to you.
(22:45):
You can't take it back to the bank, you can't
buy a coffee with it. But thanks to the innovation
and the incredible founder Scott Hutchings of global Coin Solutions,
who I actually happened to go to high school with.
Believe it or not, he started this company that repatriates
foreign currency back to the place of its origin where
then it becomes valuable. It takes it out of the landfill.
(23:07):
Because the number of people, you know, maybe Grandma, you know,
cent her whole life traveling and she's got a drawer
sitting with money at home, but it can't be taken
back to the bank, it can't be used, but what
it can do when it gets into the hands of
Global Coin Solutions is to be converted into Canadian money
and donated to charity. It is a brilliant, brilliant way
(23:30):
for all people to be able to give back, and
the stats are staggering. It's estimated that there's over two
billion dollars sitting in the bedside tables of Canadians that
could help a wide range of charities. We are so
honored that they are partnered with SAM because not only
is this the mission to give free education for twenty
(23:51):
eight days straight, to stock the toolbox of Canadians to
empower them to be the CEO of their health, but
I truly believe giving back is good for our health.
And that's actually one day in FAM on February tenth,
giving back is Good for your Health Day. And we
want to give back to charity so that we can
actually make sure this mission moves forward in changing the
(24:12):
legacy of healthcare. How do we do that by giving
money to places like the Withdrawal Center or to other
organization food banks or Children's Aid or wherever we can
send the money in order to change the legacy of
healthcare in this country. So if you're coming to the
event or any event at FAM make you can make
a donation of Canadian money, but you can also bring
(24:35):
your foreign currency because we're going to convert that, we're
going to repatriate it back to the country where it
came from. We're going to take that out of the landfills,
and we're going to make sure we're donating to worthwhile
local causes and together we can make a difference.
Speaker 2 (24:48):
So Mark, before I wanted to ask Sanders something again
in a moment, but Mark, what for Preventative Health Awareness Month?
Is there a website or social media platforms on any
of them where we can follow you? Where we can absolutely?
Where can we go?
Speaker 1 (25:06):
So www dot samhub, dot CAUs.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
P h A m h U B yes, correct, dot go.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Ahead, yep, And there is a landing page you'll see
the calendar of events. We also have a blog and
on Instagram it's sam Hub dot CAA. On Facebook it's
become the CEO of your Health. And our YouTube channel
is become the CEO of your Health. And if you
want to follow us on Spotify, we have Famcast Preventedive
(25:37):
Health Awareness movement podcasts where you're going to get all
kinds of education from our wide range of healthcare professionals
and organizations who believe in this mission to help you
become the CEO of your health and to change the
legacy of healthcare in this country. If we want change,
we have to be part of the solution, not just
sit back and complain and be part of the problem.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
The name of the event is Real Lives Touch by Addiction.
You Are Not Alone. Saturday February fifteenth, North Bramley United
Church in Brampton at three sixty three Howden Boulevard, right
near right around Bramley City Center. It's very easy to find.
There's a map on the event bright dot C a
location and spot. Look it up on event bright. It's
(26:19):
a free admission. You can reserve a spot there, which
is probably a good idea. Event bright dot CA Real
Lives Touched by Addiction. You Are Not Alone. Six speakers,
including the mother of my son and my former wife,
Sandra Murray, who's going to be touching a touching should
be talking. I'm looking at the ad here, says Mom.
Touched by Addiction. You are touched by addiction. Of course,
(26:41):
as we both are now. I wanted to ask you,
I mean, you know you and I. When people hear
about ox wife, ex husband, all this sort of stuff,
I want everyone to know how united Sandra and I
and our extended families are and continue to be and
will always be. When it comes to the interest of
our children. There's a lot of love there. So I
(27:03):
just wanted to ask you what are you bringing? I
know you mentioned Ben's toolbox as you said, what are
you bringing in? What are you hoping to get back
or to you know, to experience on February fifteenth.
Speaker 3 (27:16):
Well, I really want people to know that they're not alone,
hence the title, and I want people to know who
Ben was, you know. I want them to know that
addiction does not discriminate. It could happen to anybody. And
I want the family members to know that, you know,
(27:37):
they did nothing wrong in many cases, like there was
interbus in Ben's family, but he did have some mental
health issues and that we didn't cause it. And I
know as parents we sometimes question could we have done
something different? What if we did this. I want people
to know that they're not alone, you didn't cause it,
(28:02):
and that they're human beings. Ben made a difference in
so many people's lives because and I want people to
know who he was. He was that little boy. You
know we talk about him writing his Unice cycle and
his state board and you know, playing with his cousins
(28:22):
and taking care of them. He was a caregiver. And
I want people to see the human behind the addict.
The stigma comes from people that have they have an
addiction problem, that don't have money, and it comes from
people seeing them panhandling or living on the streets. That's
(28:45):
not who they are, that's the addiction. I want people
to recognize the difference between the addiction and the human
behind the addiction. Ben. Because of Ben and I could
and I could tell stories and maybe jel a couple
of the stories on the fifteen that Ben actually helped
someone who is still in recovery after four years. He
(29:09):
did a special video for this person because this person
I know the mom, and she wanted She had shared
our video with her son and he took to Ben
because Ben was out there. He was sharing his experience
and many people can relate to Ben. And so she
asked if then would do a video for her, Mark
(29:33):
him directly.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Mark, do you hear this all the time. What I'm
about to say, and that is that our son was
twenty seven years of age. That it's not just something
that teenagers are having a problem with. When we think of, oh,
it's got to be the youth, it's the young kids
are getting into drugs, blah blah blah. It's not that,
is it.
Speaker 1 (29:53):
It is, as Sandras so eloquently said, it does not
discriminate race, sex, a age. And of course with the
mental health piece, I mean, we're seeing rises in addiction
in seniors, we're seeing it in high functioning individuals like
your doctors and your pilots, and so you're absolutely right, Sandra.
(30:15):
It's not a skid row people. These are human beings
that live full and wonderful lives with loving families. And yes,
we've got to get rid of the stigma. But the
only way we can get rid of the stigma is
by having real, honest conversations like the one we're having
now and the ones you're going to have on the fifteenth,
because that is how we're going to start to create
(30:36):
change and allow you know, shedding light on the darkness,
show us and show us a path forward. And you
know that's why I you know, I reached out to
Sandra with this event to say, this is an opportunity
in your grief and as a parent, my heart goes
out to both of you. But in your grief then
can continue to make a difference for future and generations
(30:58):
to come when it comes to it and getting help
for more people.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
Mark Duffin, this is about Mark Duffie's a founder of FAM.
Jennifer McCutchen will be there. She's a mom on a
mission and recovery coach. As it says here on the
poster for the event. Luke Laughlin a recovery advocate and
as you said, an addict himself, and I admire his
strength and of course and bravery really to come out
(31:24):
to the event to speak. Laane Love who you mentioned,
and also Less Schmidt will also be there. And it's
all happening February the fifteenth, on a Saturday, from one
till three thirty in the afternoon. Now it's the whole month,
right Mark, So what else is going on? Can you
express a bit more about what else we can look
forward to? Are there any other calendar events we should watch.
Speaker 1 (31:45):
For or you bet if you go to the website
there's a twenty eight days jam packed full of education
for every age and stage of life, from pregnancy through
to palliative care. So each week has a theme according
to the Pillars of Wellness. So the first week is
all about, you know, changing our mindset and health esteem,
switching the mindset from waiting till things are broken to
(32:07):
one that's more proactive. We have a whole week about
nutrition and food, the importance of food and fueling our bodies.
Well of course movement and mobility. You know, as a
massage therapist and a background in kinesiology, if we don't move,
we can't move. The movement is critically important and at
the foundation of overall health. And then an entire week
(32:27):
on stress and sleep. And then within those weeks we
have different focused specialty days. So we have a bone
health Day, which I'm very excited about. We have a
Happy Hormones Day, talking about hormones. We have a men's
health Day, we have a cancer prevention Day, we have
an eating Disorder's Day, so there's something for everyone. It
(32:48):
sounds broad and hence why I must admit it's overwhelming
and I'm humbled to be leading this mission. That's grassroots
not funded. I do want to give a shout out
to the current few sponsors that are helping us, because
to create this kind of educational campaign for a month long,
with over sixty healthcare professionals giving of their time, it
(33:11):
is a huge undertaking. And you know, and we don't
have funding. This is grassroots. This is a passion project
and so it really matters to us that people get
on there they engage, because how are we going to
change the future of healthcare? How are we going to
ask our change makers and policymakers to change things if
we aren't showing that Canadians need this and want this.
(33:33):
And you know, it's very evident right now a lot
of Canadians don't even have a family doctor. And what
this program is in mind to do, and this movement
is to help put you into the driver's seat of
your health. You need to be accountable. You're the most
important member of your healthcare team and together through the
ages and stages of life. I want to really promote
a health span instead of just lifespan. We want to
(33:56):
live well for the days that we're here and we
need to do that better.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
To other you know, the coroner for our son mentioned
to Sandra and myself together that he had never known
a family like ours and hadn't spoken to anybody who
had taken such not just an interest and love for
their son, but really an active role, especially for Sandra
in journaling and keeping track of everything. And I think
(34:21):
the system really hasn't met people in that ilk as
much as we need to have out there. And so
I don't know about you, Sandra, you put it in
better words than me, but first of all, I want
to know what YouTube channel it is again so people
can meet our son, as you mentioned earlier, and also
(34:42):
what suggestions do you have for family members going forward?
If you had to give advice and you lived it,
I lived it, but you journaled it, what would you say?
Speaker 3 (34:53):
Yes, Okay, First off, the YouTube channel is a Spirit
to Live, So if you go to YouTube dot com
slash Spirit to Live, it'll come up, and if you
look at a lot of the earlier videos you'll see.
Then what I would tell them is that the supports
are out there talk to people. Unfortunately, like I said earlier,
(35:19):
the stigma prevents people from getting help, and when you
don't talk about it, you don't know that the support
is out there. And so on my videos, actually in
almost every single one, if they go to the comments,
I have links there to different supports EMHA, the Withdrawal Center,
(35:40):
narnn is for loved ones, and then there's NA Narcotics
Anonymous for the addicts. So there are a number of resources.
I want them to know that they're not alone, they
didn't cause it, and that this is a health issue.
It's not a criminal issue. It is a health issue.
It is a chronic disorder, addiction and mental health. They're
(36:02):
connected their concurrent disorder, and they are not alone. The
support is there.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
And if I could just jump in and add to that,
because what really got me nor and watching Sandra do
this with Ben and share really candidly and aesthentically and
unapologetically as a mother and I am a mother, and
I'm going to try to say this without who getting careful,
and that is and this is the this is a
(36:29):
therapist in me and my whole mission to help people,
you know, have self love and take care of themselves.
You can be addicted to your addicted and one of
the things that Sandra always talks about and has lived
as hard as it was, I'm sure Sandra, as a
parent and that was she also talked about needing to
be taking care of herself, doing self care for her
(36:51):
as well. And then and because in doing that, you're
also loving your loved one that's suffering with an addiction.
And a couple of several of the people on the
panel are going to talk about that, and I think
it's a really critical piece that these poor families that
are struggling as well, they need help to they need
the self care and resources because addiction is a family disease.
(37:14):
It impacts the grandparents, it impacts the neighbors, it impacts
the siblings, and we have to we can't forget about
the family. So these toolboxes and that's you know, kind
of what FAM's going to be there all months to
do is to stock your toolbox so you can take
care of yourself. And Sandra, you so beautifully talked about
that many times and you'll do that again moving forward.
(37:35):
And how important that is, and I.
Speaker 3 (37:37):
Just want to say, yes, I had that written down.
It is a family disease. For every addict, there's another five, ten, fifteen,
twenty people that love them or more they are affected
and self care. You know, you go on the airplane,
they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself.
They say that for a reason, because you are no
good to anybody if you're not healthy. And I always say,
(38:01):
I always used to say to event, I'm going to
love you to live. I'm not going to love you
to death. I'm going to love you to live. And
there are two l's that helped me to do that,
and I will talk about them on the fifteenth.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Saturday, February the fifteenth. The name of the event when
you go to event bright dot ca A, it's Real
Lives Touched by Addiction. You are not alone, Real lives
Touched by addiction. You are not alone. North Bramley United
Church at three sixty three houd In Boulevard and Brampton.
That's around Bramily City Center. It's an event that sheds
(38:38):
light on the impact of addiction on real people. He'll
hear stories of struggle and hope and recovery. It's also
going to be uplifting. Marg and Sandra. Thank you both
for being here. I know we could go on for hours,
and we will, and we should, and we all should
and empower ourselves with this information going forward, because then
(38:58):
only then can change Chap and I think but Mark,
all the best to you with fam and we look
forward to the event and we'll speak again, I'm sure soon.
Speaker 1 (39:07):
Thank you, thank you for the opportunity.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
Thank you, no, I'm so much. Thank you.
Speaker 2 (39:13):
Sandra, yeah, thank you, and thanks for not making it awkward.
You and I you know, have been through this journey
together with our son and with our daughter as I
don't want to leave Lindsay out of it either and
she's not. But to your point, Mark, absolutely it's and
Sandra for the family, families are affected. So anyway, to
(39:35):
look forward to the fifteenth, good luck at the event
with everybody there, it should be very very strong and positive.
Thank you. I'm Norm Murray. This is News Talk Saga
at nine sixty. We'll be back right after this
Speaker 1 (39:58):
Streams live at SAGA nine sixty am dot co
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