Announcing WLS Support – Orange Ribbon Campaign

7 Comments

Posted by Ron Merk on October 17, 2009 at 10:41 am

Stand up for Weight Loss Surgery and make a difference.

We’re announcing our Orange Ribbon campaign for WLS Support. It would be great to be able to just send you one of these ribbons, but as you know, our site is completely self supported. So far – no revenue, but that doesn’t matter. All you need is an Orange Ribbon – just grab any orange fabric and cut yourself a ribbon or check out your favourite fabric store.

Why Orange? – Well, Orange ribbons are usually associated with Human Rights and with the recent changes by VIHA and the lack of support by our Provincial government, we here at WLS Support feel that most of us are being discriminated against due to our weight challenges. Anyone, anywhere can wear an Orange Ribbon. Doesn’t matter if you live in BC or Florida. Show YOUR support for access to WLS Surgery.

Be proud to show your support. Wear the ribbon everywhere, and when people ask about it, tell them your story and what VIHA has done. Tell them how they can help, by letting their MLA or VIHA Executives know they support you. Make a few extras and ask people if they’ll wear one to show their support for your need to access surgery.

In the next few days, we’ll add a “Media Kit” link at the top of our site with quick facts that you can learn and inform people when they ask about your ribbon. We’ll also make it easily printable so you can hand them out too.

Give us YOUR thoughts here on how to “Display the WLS Support Ribbon Campaign” – Take a moment and leave a comment.

BCABA Media Release - Condemns VIHA

Obesity - The Last Discrimination Stronghold

The Disease of Obesity - A Personal Perspective

Filed under WLS Surgery

Tagged as Advocacy

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7 Comments

On October 17, 2009 at 1:27 pm canadian52eh said

Ron, thank-you for your involvement on the news and the newspaper this morning. I think the orange ribbon is a means of being visual. However I am so mad that our health has taken second to the ‘games’…that I wish we could organize a rally or something since our letters fall on deaf ears!

It is DISCRIMINATION and to me as a Canadian..I thought I was entitled to care under the Canadian Health Act! I wish we could collectively lodge a class action suit!

I am one of the blessed people to have had the roux en y two years ago and I know my health costs have reduced dramatically and my quality of life has changed in everyway!

This surgery of ‘gastric bypass’ (including lap banding) should be not deemed ELECTIVE nor the reconstructive costs post op. Mastectomy patients and gender changes are covered by medical! We DESERVE the same compassion and support to help us become active in our communities both physically and emotionally!

How short sighted of the government not to SEE the stats on how by having these surgeries we will SAVE the government THOUSANDS of dollars PER person annually!!

Thank you for allowing me to vent!

Shelley in Victoria

On October 17, 2009 at 5:41 pm vjp1 said

Thanks Shelley, You have hit the nail on the head with your vent. I also feel the goverment has let us down.

On October 18, 2009 at 1:30 pm BMac said

Here is a website that I went to, to order a lapel pin and bracelet. I have a bracelet for AIDS awarenes (my daughter is HIV + ) and have received many comments and questions about it so I figure that an orange bracelet and lapel pin may get some responses! I have also let Ribbons for a Reason know about the WLS orange ribbon campaign.
Here is the link:
http://www.ribbonsforareason.com/
They use Paypal, which I prefer to use on-line

I live in the boonies of northern Vancouver Island, so sometimes feel I cannot be of much use, but I have used the internet to make my voice heard…..my local MLA …….Kevin Falcon……I am now preparing a letter to VIHA.

Ron, you are a godsend to all of us waiting for this surgery!

On October 18, 2009 at 7:58 pm Connie JACKSON said

I THINK ITS TERRIBLE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS CUT BACK ON THE SURGERIES, IT WILL BE THREE YEARS THIS COMMING NOV. 27TH SINCE I HAD MINE AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY. MY MEDS WERE OVER $800. A MONTH, NOW I ONLY TAKE THREE DIFFERENT MEDS, NO PAIN, I FEEL GREAT, WEIGHT STAYS AROUND 115 LBS, QUITE A CHANGE FROM 223 LBS AND SICK ALL THE TIME. I THINK THE ORANGE RIBBON IS A GREAT IDEA BUT LETS TRY TO TAKEING IT EVEN FARTHER, IN HONOR OF BETTY STEVENS WHO KEPT PUSHING US, AND GUIDING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONS, LETS SHOW THE GOVERNMENT WHAT WE ARE MADE OF!!!!
CONNIE J.

On November 26, 2009 at 11:09 am Wm Holden said

I own ribbonprinting.com and Mrbucks.com (a ribbon printing company) and would be glad to offer my services to your organization.
we have 50 personalized satin ribbons 3/8 wide up to 20 inches long for $10.00 (us) 6.50 shipping and we ship international for ten…let us know if we can help…call us anytime.

ribbonprinting.com

On November 27, 2009 at 11:10 am Kris said

Hi…. does that price include the printing?

Thanks,

Kris Greene
President, BCABA
http://www.bcaba.net

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- On November 27, 2009 at 11:14 am Ron said
  
  Hi Kris:
  
  I’d check out their website at: http://www.ribbonprinting.com
  
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