Lynn Desjardins, Wojtek Gwiazda, Marc Montgomery

The LINK Online Sat., May 2, 2015

Your hosts today are Lynn, Marc, and for the final time before retirement after 35 years, Wojtek.

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In this undated photo provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is one form of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) bacteria, sometimes called “nightmare bacteria.” Two patients in California died after contracted the bug from medical instruments even though they had been properly sterilized according to normal practices. © Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/The Associated Press)

The Auditor-General of Canada this week released his spring reports, one of which dealt with government health agencies and the growing concern over drug resistant bacteria.

The report noted that Canada’s government health agencies have not developed a co-ordinated plan to deal with this issue and communications strategies among the various health agencies, researchers, and other medical professionals is also lacking.

Marc spoke with Biochemistry professor Gerry Wright (PhD) director of McMaster University’s Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research in Hamilton Ontario.  In this edited version of a longer interview (in highlights section)  he begins by explaining the seriousness of drug resistant “superbugs”.

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Many Canadian schools bring in speakers to raise awareness and stem bullying among students. © CBC

New research is showing more of the lingering effects of bullying on children.  The study shows those effects can last into adulthood, and that bullying by children’s peers can in fact be worse in their psychological effects than parental mistreatment.;

This can lead to suicides or murder as the deep rooted effects linger through the years.

Lynn spoke  to Toronto psychotherapist Candy MacNeil who says, “My theory is that early formative years are the times when we’re supposed to be building our self-confidence and bullying erodes that.I think also kids who are bullied understandably feel a chronic fear and anxiety. They have a feeling of powerlessness and powerlessness is one of the key components of depression.”

And this is a very special show. As we bid farewell to one of RCI’s longest serving and respected journalists.

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Wojtek Gwiazda at his desk on his last day after 35 years © MM

Wojtek is leaving us after both sunny days and storms at RCI over the years, not only as a dedicated broadcaster, but also as a member of the RCI Action Committee. It was Wojtek who was at the heart of campaigns on many occasion to save the service from cuts, both on behalf of the service itself but certainly also for the innumerable listeners who counted on RCI for reliable news and views of the world situation as well as on happenings and opinions from Canada.

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Wojtek’s final appearance on the Link in RCI’s remaining studio, with Lynn and Marc on Friday May 1, 2015 © Leo G- RCI

Wojtek was certainly greatly appreciated by listeners as host and journalist of many varied programmes as evidenced by the huge volumes of mail and positive feedback he and his shows generated from listeners all around the world.

For colleagues, not only did we respect him for his herculean efforts, energy, and determination to keep the service but certainly also for his concern for maintaining rigorous journalistic standards.

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Wojek Gwiazda (top right) with a small group of RCI staff in the 1980.s

This year RCI celebrates its 70th anniversary, and for half of RCI’s existence, Wojtek has been a major factor in the organization’s success and continued existence. His passion and dedication is certainly going to be missed by all members of RCI in all language sections, and remembered by his many many fans around the world.  We can only wish him all the best in the future.

Some of Wojtek’s recent stories on RCI

RCI moves from broadcast to internet- J Source

RNZ with Wojtek on shortwave cuts

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