Fathers/Father's Day

"I hope everyday I see a little more of my father in me." — Keith Urban

"Song for Dad" by Keith Urban

Lately I’ve been noticing
I say the same things he used to say
And I even find myself
Acting the very same way

I tap my fingers on the table to the rhythm in my soul
And I jingle the car keys when I’m ready to go
And when I look in the mirror he’s right there in my eyes
Starin’ back at me and I realize

How much he loved my mother and my brother and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see
A little more of my father in me

There were times I thought he was bein’
Just a little bit hard on me
But now I understand he was makin’ me
Become the man he knew that I could be

In everything he ever did he always did with love
And I’m proud today to say I’m his son
When somebody says I hope I get to meet your dad
I just smile and say you already have

The older I get the more I can see
How much he loved my mother and my brother and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see
A little more of my father in me

He’s in my eyes my heart, my soul
My hands, my pride and when I feel alone
And I think I can’t go on I hear him sayin’ “Son you’ll be alright
Everything is gonna be alright” Yes it is

The older I get the more I can see
That he loved my mother and my brother and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I have my own family
That everyday I see, oh I hope I see
I hope everyday I see a little more of my father in me
A little more of my father in me

I hope everyday I see in me
In me, in me
I hope everyday I see
A little more of my father in me

Medtronic Receives CE Mark for Second-Generation MRI Pacemaker

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced it has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for the company’s second-generation pacemaker designed, tested, approved for use as labeled with MRI machines, the Advisa DR MRI™ SureScan™ pacing system. The Advisa MRI SureScan pacing system currently is not available for sale in the United States.

Approximately 2 million Europeans have implanted pacemakers, but these patients are strongly discouraged from receiving MRI scans, a widely practiced diagnostic method for many common diseases and conditions, because their device could interact with MRI machines, potentially affecting the device or patient safety. According to estimates, 50-75 percent of patients worldwide with implanted cardiac devices are expected to need an MRI scan during the lifetime of their devices.

"Half of the world’s pacemakers that are implanted are from Medtronic, and the number one unmet need is MRI compatibility,” said Pat Mackin, president of the Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management business and senior vice president at Medtronic. "Previously, physicians had been forced to forego the benefits of MRI, or accept the significant risk associated with scanning device patients. Medtronic is pleased to give physicians a solution to this unmet need – in fact a choice of devices for their pacemaker patients who may need access to important diagnostics available through MRI.”

The Advisa MRI SureScan pacing system is the most advanced pacing system from Medtronic and combines for the first time MRI SureScan with key features from Medtronic pacemakers and defibrillator systems: exclusives such as MVP® (Managed Ventricular Pacing), OptiVol® Fluid Status Monitoring, and Ventricular and Atrial Capture Management (VCM and ACM). MVP reduces right ventricular pacing by 99 percent.

In SAVE PACe, a previous trial of pacemaker patients published in The New England Journal of Medicine, use of Medtronic MVP or Search AV+ modes was proven to dramatically reduce unnecessary right ventricular pacing. This reduction was shown to reduce the development of persistent atrial fibrillation. Further, the 2008 ACC/AHA/HRS Device-Based Therapy Guidelines indicate there may be deleterious effects from even modest levels of ventricular pacing associated with alternative programming modes.

VCM and ACM are intended to automatically adjust impulses for optimal stimulation of the heart’s chambers. The device also offers enhanced diagnostics to help assist physicians in the diagnosis of irregular heart rhythms, particularly atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) / AF. Additionally, upon commercial release, the Advisa MRI SureScan pacing system will be available for remote follow-up via the Medtronic CareLink® Network.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows doctors to see internal organs, blood vessels, muscles, joints, tumors, areas of infection and more, without X-rays or surgery, and without exposing the patient to any ionizing radiation. The MRI machine creates a magnetic field, sends radio waves through the body, then measures the response with a computer, creating an image of the inside of the body. In many cases, MRI gives information that cannot be seen on an X-ray, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan.

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 25, 2008. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Fall in love with your heart!

It's that time of year again!

The first in our series of Go Red for Women Wellness Workshops, sponsored by Nicorette, kicks off in Durban on the 20th June 2009 at the Cargohold Restaurant, uShaka Marine World.

Why not spend the morning with likeminded women and learn how to prevent cardiovascular disease in yourlife?

At Go Red for Women everyone's a VIP! The workshop is the perfect opportunity to put on your best RED outfit, take some time out and let us treat you to a scrumptious heart healthy breakfast and informative entertainment.

Did you know that one in four women will suffer from some form of heart disease before the age of 60? Join the movement and stop yourself from becoming another statistic.

Date: 20th June 2009
Time: 08.00 - 10.30

Venue: Cargohold Restaurant, uShaka Marine World

Cost: R200.00 per person

Anisa Ussuph from East Coast Radio will be your MC for the morning and guest speakers include:

· Dr Cassim Hansa, Cardiologist, Lifehealth Entabeni Hospital
· Lisa Raleigh, Personal Trainer of SA's Biggest Loser

Apart from life changing information and lots of fun you will also receive a gift bag filled with delightful goodies to the value of R800.00.

· A free membership to the Go Red for Women movement
· Your Free Go Red for Women Pin
· A voucher from NWJ
· A voucher from Zip Code fashion
· An delicious heart healthy breakfast

There are also exciting prizes up for grabs on the day!

Tickets are selling fast so make sure that you don't miss out.

For more information go to www.goredforwomen.co.za or to book your seat contact Simone Davids on Tel: (031) 261 9055 or Email: evashnie@heartfoundation.co.za

The Go Red for Women Movement heads to PE on 18th July before landing in Cape Town on 31st July and finishing off in Johannesburg on 8th August.

Secure your seats today to pledge your commitment to a heart healthy lifestyle! .

See you in Durbs!

The Go Red Team

National Porphyria Day

Celebrate National Porphyria Day (June 1st)

Beginning in 2005, National Porphyria Day has been celebrated each year on June 1st all across Canada with events to promote awareness.

A pity PORPHYRIA is still ‘unknown’ albeit ‘common’ in SA and it would be so great if the University of Cape Town could hold an open house to educate people on this sun-sensitive, genetic metabolic disorder.

This family in Prince Rupert, British Columbia who suggested a National Porphyria Day is the owners of the restaurant 'Vivier’s Cuisine’ in the Hotel Pacific Inn; who serves SOUTH AFRICAN CUISINE… (must be a family from SA)…

National Porphyria Day