Celebrate Doctors' Day on May 1 by Saying Thanks Doc!

TORONTO, May 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Master Corporal Michael Blois suffered a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan during a firefight with the Taliban. Toronto resident Carolyn Ovell was diagnosed with cancer at age 24.  Today, both of them are taking a moment to say thanks to the doctors who saved their lives. 

There are thousands of stories just like theirs yet to be told; so patients across Ontario are invited to help celebrate the third annual Doctors' Day on May 1 by sharing a positive story about their doctors at thanksdoc.oma.org.

Ontario's doctors treat more than 400,000 people every day and these interactions are the foundation of our health system. Whether at the hospital, the long-term care facility, or the patient's home, doctors work hard to make sure Ontarians get the care they need. To help recognize the important work of Ontario's physicians, Reza Moridi, the Liberal MPP from Richmond Hill, successfully introduced a motion recognizing May 1 as Doctors' Day in Ontario in 2010. The date is symbolic: it's the birth date of Emily Stowe, Canada's first female practicing physician.

Beginning on May 1^st and lasting for 30 days, patients can help celebrate their doctor by participating in the Thanks Doc! campaign in a number of easy ways. Patients can send a personalized thank you card to their doctor by visiting thanksdoc.oma.org or share their story on Facebook.com/Ontariosdoctors. Patients who take the time to say Thanks Doc! will be entered into a draw to win an iPhone5 or a Fitbit One Wireless Activity and Sleep Tracker. Follow @Ontariosdoctors on Twitter to read some of the most compelling tweets throughout the day.

Quotes:

"Dr. Donna Ouchterloney not only saved me from never-ending pain and frustration with my condition. She was also instrumental in giving me a new life by teaching me that I was not my injury - and that my future was only limited by my ambition."
--Ret. Master Corporal Blois, of Exeter, who is studying to become a lawyer

"Fighting cancer challenged me in every way possible. Thankfully, I never had to face any of these challenges alone. It wasn't just my doctors' job to save my life, it was their mission. That's why I'm encouraging everyone in Ontario to take a minute to thank a doctor who has championed your health."
--Carolyn Ovell, 30, of Toronto, who is now in remission

"Every day, I hear stories of the kindness, compassion, and talent of Ontario's doctors. I was hospitalized recently, and the experience reminded me that we really do have some of the finest physicians in the world. That's why I'd like to say Thanks Doc!"
--Dr. Doug Weir, President, Ontario Medical Association

SOURCE: Ontario Medical Association

OMA Media Relations at 416.340.2862 or toll-free at 1.800.268.7215, ext. 286
[email protected] @OntariosDoctors