Baby with severe heart condition well enough to return home
An online fundraising campaign to support a Peachland family whose newborn has severe cardiac issues has surpassed its goal.
James Lazeski was born to parents Steven and Heather Jan. 22.
A week after James and Heather came home to Peachland from Kelowna General Hospital, James returned to Kelowna General by ambulance crying in pain, cold to the touch and grey in colour.
Kelowna General Hospital confirmed James was hypothermic with heart failure and in cardiogenic shock.
James and his mother were taken to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver by air ambulance where Steven joined them shortly after by car.
James was admitted to the cardiac Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in critical condition. His heart was barely functioning.
Heather and Steven stayed at Ronald McDonald House, trading shifts between supporting James at the hospital around the clock and being with their toddler Jade at the guest house.
A Go Fund Me campaign was set up to support the parents’ ability to both be on leave from work.
According to a recent post by Steven, James was well enough to be allowed home Feb. 13.
Some of the money raised has been used for an oxygen and heart rate sensor, stethoscope, temperature sensor and baby scale so Steven and Heather can monitor James at home.
The baby remains on five different medications.
James is scheduled to return to BC Children’s Hospital with his family in two weeks for more tests.
The online fundraising campaign had a $10,000 goal and is now over $16,000. The fundraising page can be found at gofundme.com/f/ HelpStartJamesHeart
VANCOUVER (CP) — The mayors of Vancouver and Surrey say they will ask their councils to implement a handgun ban in their cities, using powers proposed under new federal legislation.
The proposed legislation would allow municipalities to ban the weapons through bylaws restricting their possession, storage and transportation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday the measures will be backed up with serious penalties to enforce these bylaws, including jail time for people who violate municipal rules.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the proliferation of handguns poses a great threat to public safety, citing a recent uptick in gang-related shootings and weapons recovered by police.
Mayor Doug McCallum of Surrey says gun violence has been a scourge in the region and he is directing staff to immediately begin work on a bylaw for council approval as quickly as possible.
The provincial government also introduced a new centralized hub for firearms intelligence Tuesday that it says will help suppress organized crime and gun violence.
It says the BC Provincial Forensic Laboratory will increase police capacity to analyze illegal firearms that were used for criminal activity and seized by police.
Stewart says his office will monitor the debate over the federal bill closely as it moves through the House and Senate.
“At the earliest opportunity, I will be bringing forward a motion directing staff to prepare a handgun ban bylaw and bring it forward for a vote once this federal legislation is passed,” the mayor says in a news release.