There was a glitch with the breakout rooms today. Everything thereafter ran smoothly, so many thanks to Gord Cox for all he does to make that happen.
President Bill Fitzsimmons started the meeting with a soundless bell at 12:01 pm
Our greeter was Bill Quinney with 54 participants attending. Guests included our guest speaker, Jerry Evans, CEO of Nia Technologies Inc., Courtney Wilson from Inclusion Alberta, David Mills, soon to become our newest member, Mike and TJ Buckley, Bob Acton and Joe Klassen’s wife, Catherine McGinley.
Marlene Doherty showed us a video in honour of International Women’s Day with a powerful message to speak up and stand up for all women everywhere, in every circumstance, every time.
Steve Rickard introduced David Mills. David was a member of the Rotaract Clubs at U of A and U of C. He is a mechanical engineer. When asked why Rotary, David replied that he saw the power of clubs working together with the passion of the Rotarians. His passion is in microfinance and water. He has been involved in local industrial water systems. His dream is to see sustainable water rolled out around the world. He has done some introspection through the pandemic about what he wants his life to look like. Rotary is a good fit. Welcome, David.!
Garfield Ganong, Foundation Chair, introduced us to the Paul Harris pins about to be awarded. The original donation back in 1917 was $26.50 with each level of pin representing a donation of $1,000 USD. To date worldwide, $1 Billion USD has been donated. RCCW has donated $1,002,225 and gives members a matching of 300 points for $300 USD. There is also matching for Calgary Rotary Club Foundation donations.
Gail Williams, Foundation Administrator for RCCW, virtually handed out 21 pins to our members. Of note, the cumulative Rotary years of service for these members is 385 years and they have contributed
$145,000 CDN. Congratulations to Bryden Horwood who is now a Major Donor!
Guest Speaker, Jerry Evans
Clarence Buckley was called upon to introduce our guest speaker, Jerry Evans. Clarence is the club champion for a Global Grant for a 3D prosthetics project in Sri Lanka partnering with the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial as the lead club and Nia. RCCW will be seeking a Supporting club grant from the District to maximize the leveraging of the project. Thank you, Clarence, for all you do – you are an inspiration. He started with a quote: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Jerry is a graduate of the U of T in engineering. He and the partners have elevated 3D technology for a higher purpose. They are looking for quicker fabrication of prosthetic and orthotic (P &O) devices. He is the CEO of Nia Technologies Inc., a Canadian non-profit social enterprise company started only six years ago by Hope and Healing.
Jerry started off by saying this is his passion, working with U of T and AutoDesk Research. Funding partners include AutoDesk Foundation, Google Foundation, and Grand Challenges Canada. Through the digital tool chain, they can speed up production, thereby increasing the number of limb recipients. There is a tremendous need that is unmet. Currently in the world there are 38 million people who need a new P&O device to help them walk, with only 40,000 trained clinicians to meet this need. In that stat, 90% of disabled children do not get the help they need. Many are children from low-income countries. This drastically affects not only their mobility, but also their quality of life. They are shunned, they cannot go to school because they cannot get there, they cannot play or help their families.
Nia has focused on these children with the objective of lowering cost, improving the quality of life, and increasing the output. Jerry walked us through the steps of the traditional way of making a prosthetic. It is costly, time-consuming and wasteful of materials. Plus, the end product is not as well-fitted and comfortable for the recipient. Then he compared the steps using digital technology.
Step 1. Casting vs digital methods on an iPad. The feedback is immediate. The image is captured in colour leading to a proper fit and modification.
Step 2. Create a positive mold vs capture a positive scan using digital scanning technology. Mirrors the manual process, but in a digital world. Use of digital electronic alignment saves time and ensures accuracy for the socket fit.
Step 3. Adjusting the mold manually vs 3D digital rectification online. This again is time-saving with less waste.
Step 4. Drape materials over the positive mold vs create socket over top of mold. Utilizing digital space. Step 5. Waste presenting environmental challenges vs digital info storage that can be used again.
Finally, the end product is a 3D print ability of the prosthetic limb. The process is ever-improving. Measurements are taken to ensure the proper gait and stance for the patient. The limb kit is then attached.
Some further comparisons include time: 1 day vs 5 -7 days for the traditional method; cost: $400 USD vs anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000 in North America; and efficiency: at least a 500% increase.
We met little 4-year-old, Roseline, as cute as a button, on a video. Nia in Swahili means "for good purposes”. She is missing her right foot from a congenital birth defect. It is estimated she will need approximately 25 different limbs in her lifetime as she grows and as they wear out. She comes from a farming family and has nine siblings. It was her 12-year-old brother who brought her to the clinic 35 hours away! The parents cannot take the time away from the farm or the care of the other children. It has been difficult for her to walk, let alone play, or go to school, or participate in family, or her community. We saw her throughout the process and the huge smile on her face when she was able to walk for the first time ever! I am sure all of us watching were smiling for her too!
Through the question-and-answer period we learned:
- The socket in both methods is made from the same materials, propyl ethylene.
- For a child in a low-income country, the socket is often oversized to get more years of use. The socket is well-padded with extra foam that comes out as the child grows.
- A comparative study was conducted on 180 patients. It is difficult to come up with scientific data supporting the fit. Right now there is little difference between the two methods. However, Nia is hoping to do better once clinicians garner more training and experience.
- The only parts that might be reusable are the column, the adapters, and the feet. Due to budget constraints, when hospitals run out of any these parts they will scavenge the bins. Roseline was devastated when she didn’t have a foot, but eventually the smile came back when they found a left foot for her, even though she needed a right foot!
- The candidates are chosen on several factors, including the anatomical perspective. Was the amputation performed correctly to ensure the precise length of the tibia?Another factor is the socio- economic position of the family. The technicians are sent into the field to access the opportunity for someone to receive a new device.
- There are a few challenges – funding being first. Finding families who can afford the time to come to the clinic. The family may only make $300 per year. Can they afford to leave their jobs and other children?
- There is demand for Nia‘s services both domestically and internationally; in both high and lower income countries. A profit arm of the organization is being established to funnel funds back into Nia to help those in need, but cannot afford the cost.
- Currently there are two fully functional sites – one in Uganda and one in Tanzania. Sri Lanka is currently being set up.
- Revenue can also be generated by selling the software in developed countries and have them use their own equipment and technicians.
Bryden Horwood was our thanker.
Announcements
- Robyn Braley. Green Shirt Day for organ donor awareness is April 7. The club’s acknowledgement of Clare Bildfell and Green Shirt Day will be held April 8 at our Thursday evening meeting. We will have two speakers: Clare’s daughter, Maureen, who is a heart transplant recipient, and Orlin McMillan, a double lung transplant recipient. Deb McMillan will be there, too, to talk about the 'journey'. Go online to GreenShirtDay.ca and offer your support.
- Barb Hames urged us to buy the bright and cheery gerbera daisies. Think of whom you could make smile. Go to the club’s website to place your order before March 16.
- Marlene Doherty. Karen Blewett will be sending out some homework to all club members on the strategic plan. Please send your response back to Karen. Save the following dates for other planning sessions: March 16, March 23, and March 29.
- Team 2 is hosting a Bingo and Blarney night on Friday, March 12. Contact Marlene for your cards. President Bill thanked Team 2 for being the meeting hosts.
Meeting adjourned at 1:20 pm.
