Newsletter 2024

Contents

Musings from the Editor

MURA 2024 Annual General Meeting

MURA Events

MURA Activities

Honours and Awards

Robert D. Stanley Awards - CURAC & MAA

McGill Office for Science and Society Celebrates a Quarter Century

Suzanne Lajoie - McGill University Medal for Exceptional Academic Achievement

 

Faculty Club Centenary Book - Neil Stewart

Volunteering for Our Community - Carlette Walker, Mercedes Delacroix, and Richard London 

You can be a Pro-Dean Too! - Trudis Goldsmith-Reber

Maintaining Our Health as Seniors

Those Darned Ticks! - Dr. Michael Hefferon

Musings from the Editor - Debbie Mercier

Most of us boomer-age cohort of Montrealers did not (thankfully) live through wars; the worst strife that we experienced here at home were the ice storm and the COVID pandemic. Although our generation was pretty vocal during the 70's with feminist, anti-war and other social justice movements, while we were working at McGill, few, if any of us experienced any occupation(s) of the F. Cyril James building or encampments on lower campus. Although MURA’s Past-President, Ginette Lamontagne has told us of her major struggles as McGill’s first Executive Director of Government Relations to ensure that McGill was treated fairly by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Ēducation, no previous provincial government has ever launched the discriminatory and substantial tuition fee hikes for other Canadians from outside of Quebec who wish to attend McGill as the CAQ has done. Our time at McGill was relatively peaceful, and we were relatively lucky. McGill’s President, Deep Saini, and our colleagues who succeeded us retirees certainly have their hands full of strife! Although we worked diligently for our university, and were constantly solving problems, I feel very fortunate to have worked during the last century and the beginning of this one. In my “golden years” I look back on my many “golden years”, relatively strife-free, at McGill. I am hopeful that McGill will be restored to "a place of learning, open discussion, and professional and personal development", as Dr. Saini said in one of his communications with his McGill family.

A mere 10 months prior to the first COVID global quarantine, I retired. As I wanted to kick off my retirement with a couple of trips, I managed to get to Hawaii and Mexico before the world shut down. Then, we were all forced into a west coast, “chill” COVID lifestyle, which was far from my frenetic, busy-bee approach to life.

At the risk of sounding Pollyanna-ish, even COVID times, as bad and ever-so-lonely as they were, had an up-side for me, a 1955 boomer. COVID made me sensory enriched. Sounds, tastes, smells, views and vistas all seemed, somehow, enhanced. I explored musical genres with gusto. Frightened into avoiding my local grocery store, I shopped online, and was amazed by the things I found for many tasty and delectable recipes that I tried from cuisines around the world -- a Hawaiian poke bowl, a Latin American Seviche, a Peruvian Lomo Saltado, a British Beef wellington, and, the two cousins: a Spanish Paella and a French Bouillabaisse. The list goes on. Thankfully, my daily, three-hour walks prevented me from acquiring the infamous COVID 20 or 30 (pounds). However, my drinking of wine to accompany my exquisite dishes to satisfy my palate increased by 30%!! This admission reminds me of the time I went to the SAQ when citizens above the age of 70 were under strict quarantine by the Quebec government. At the cash, I was CARDED (!) I was only 65 years old at the time and they asked me for proof that I was “young enough” to be out and about purchasing wine!! I was very close to shooting the messenger after he insulted me like this.

As Dr. Joe’s OSS (Office for Science and Society) celebrates its 25^th anniversary, we can look back now -- with some amusement -- at the scientific quackery that abounded during the period 2020-2023! “COVID opened the door to a tsunami of misinformation,” says Director, Dr. Joe Schwartz. (More about scientific myths and misinformation later in this issue)!

Our Spring 2024 newsletter is full of reports from participants about their fulfilling MURA activities and events. Use this link to view the MURA Executive and Board - they will be working feverishly over the coming months and years to bring you programming and activities that add social, physical, and intellectual benefits to our lives. Next year, MURA will celebrate its 10th Anniversary, and your ideas, suggestions, participation, and engagement are most welcome, now and in future. Thanks to all of you MURA members who volunteer to help worthwhile organizations in our community, including MURA itself!

Thank you, Newsletter Contributors!

• All of our hardworking MURA activity organizers and writers
• Carlette Walker, Mercedes Delacroix, and Richard London
• Trudis Goldsmith-Reber
• Dr. Michael Hefferon
• Wendy Reichental
• Neil Stewart
• Newsletter design: Kate Maguire

 

VOLUNTEER HELP WANTED!
NEWSLETTER EDITOR

MURA needs a creative and dedicated volunteer to continue the legacy of Joan Wolforth (former editor), and Debbie Mercier, who, after completing 5 annual issues of the newsletter, is stepping down as Editor. Our MURA Newsletter is a publication distributed to our 600 members, often in June, following the Annual General meeting.

• Do you like to write, edit, and create engaging content? The role includes gathering information, writing articles, editing contributions from other enthusiastic and engaged MURA members, and ensuring that the newsletter is informative and articulate
• MURA Communications volunteers will format the layout and distribute the newsletter to our members

QUALIFICATIONS

• A genuine interest in MURA’s mission
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, a proven ability to proofread and edit content
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Experience using Microsoft Word

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested, please send an email by September 5th to:  mura-arum.association@mcgillca.

2024 MURA Annual General Meeting,  June 12,  2024 - Debbie Mercier

Keynote Speaker Dr. Deep Saini, McGill's President and Vice-Chancellor, joked with seventy-four McGill retirees at the June 2024 MURA AGM that he should have been more cautious with his appointment date, April 1, 2023 (April Fools’ Day). Coming off of a pandemic and at the cusp of a “reset”, we can all empathize with Dr. Saini that his current challenges of the encampment on campus related to the Hamas-Israeli conflict in Gaza, and the severe provincial interference in the tuition framework and (under)-funding formula of McGill are creating havoc for our President and for our beloved university/employer/alma mater.

Armed with his first degree from Punjab Agricultural University in India, Hargurdeep Saini went on to do his PhD in plant biology at the University of Adelaide in Australia. Following his academic credentials, and, in addition to many national and international governance and advisory roles over the years, Dr. Saini became an accomplished researcher in plant physiology and an able administrator at the following institutions: University of Alberta (post-doc, and lecturer), Université de Montréal (Faculty and Directeur général de l’Institut de recherche en biologie végétale),Dean of the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, Vice-President of the University of Toronto, Principal of U of T’s Mississauga campus, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra, President and Vice-Chancellor of Dalhousie University.

With his very optimistic outlook, his vision for McGill, as Dr. Saini strives, with his team, to meet the post-bicentennial, post-pandemic challenges, he reassures us, “this too shall pass.” President Deep Saini is not a coward who will turn the other cheek. He is stepping up to demonstrate the value of McGill to Québécois society that doesn’t always see universities as primarily relevant. Certainly, he stressed, on the issue of divestment, the university has no business in geopolitics. “I am going to stick to my knitting, and not someone else’s.” It sounds like a good plan, President Saini. Focus on those things that you control. Take McGill into its tricentennial. Dr. Saini stated categorically that McGill’s Presidency is his last gig. He will, like the rest of us, “retire” from McGill University. He is, in other words, one of our future “MURA” members.

 

MURA Events

Here is an overview of all of the special events organized by MURA volunteers over the past year.

 

Use this link to view a complete list of events enjoyed and upcoming. 

Crafternoons - Katherine Gray-Donald

We meet regularly on Zoom (except in summer) to share information about our crafty projects, to show our work in progress or finished objects and seek help where needed. Our main emphasis is on knitting with some very experienced knitters who are happy to help the less experienced. The group is organized by April Colosimo, a librarian at McGill, who plans meetings with themes, sends out relevant links and keeps us organized. It is a welcoming group and we all contribute our experiences.

For more information, please contact Katherine Gray-Donald at katherine.gray-donald [at] mcgill.ca.

 

Groupe de vélo de l’ARUM : Mettre la pédale douce…ou pas! - Line Robitaille

À commencer par la formidable équipe de bénévoles qui est tellement bien organisée! Chaque trajet est planifié en détail : distance, dénivellation, type de surface, emplacement de toilettes (très pratique!), lieu pour piqueniquer, possibilité de stationnement, etc. Il y a toujours un ‘leader’ qui prend les devants du groupe et un ‘sweeper’ qui s’assure que personne ne soit laissée derrière. En plus, il y a toujours quelqu’un qui a les connaissances et les outils pour régler les petits ennuis mécaniques qui peuvent survenir. Une belle tranquillité d’esprit pour les participants qui ont juste à choisir quels vêtements porter et quelles provisions amener!

C’est aussi une belle occasion de découvrir et de se familiariser avec de nouveaux circuits en toute sécurité. Les régions sont aussi très variées : Laurentides, Cantons de l’est, rive sud de Montréal, parcs de chaque coin de l’île, etc. La plupart des trajets (en général de 20-40 km, assez plats) se déroulent sur pistes cyclables ou routes peu fréquentées.

La saison s’étend de la fin mai à la mi-octobre, à raison d’une randonnée par semaine. Bref, ça aide à garder la forme! Mais pas de soucis, tous les niveaux sont les bienvenus, ainsi que tous types de vélo. La taille du groupe est normalement de 10-20 personnes. Pas d’obligation, on participe quand on veut. Pas besoin de se lever aux aurores, les départs se font vers 10h30 (et on évite ainsi le traffic)!

Ce qui est aussi très agréable, pour ceux qui le désirent, c’est de se ‘payer la traite’ après la randonnée dans un café/bistrot pour socialiser. Parlant de socialiser, l’un des aspects intéressants de cette activité est de rencontrer des gens de milieux très variés, ce qui donne lieu à des conversations très enrichissantes tout au long des parcours (on ne fait pas de course après tout!), et permet de créer de nouvelles amitiés. Comme on le sait maintenant, la socialisation est indispensable à la santé cognitive.

Finalement, je ne vais pas oublier un des points forts de cette activité : un ‘pot luck’ gastronomique chez un des organisateurs pour lancer la saison. Ça a bien commencé!

Bref, avec tous ces avantages, si vous aimez le vélo, il n’y a aucune raison de s’en passer! Pour ma part, ce sera ma 2e année, et quelle belle découverte! Si vous voulez participer de façon plus active et vous impliquer dans le comité organisateur, il y a aussi de la place!

If you are interested in joining us and are not already on our mailing list, please contact Debbie Mercier (Debbie.mercier [at] mcgill.ca) and Simon Fulleringer (simon.fulleringer [at] mcgill.ca).

MURA Bridge Club - Helen Megan, BSc'65

Born, raised and educated in Montreal, many years ago, I returned in January, 2020, just in time for the isolation of COVID. I didn't have as many friends here as I thought I had. Most had died or moved away. I'm pretty old.

I heard there was Bridge at the Faculty Club quite by chance, in the ladies' washroom after lunch. The person who told me about it doesn't play Bridge but she thought it looked like a very nice group. I enquired of the receptionist downstairs, as to who ran it. That got me a phone call Sylvia Sklar, who put me in touch with Alenoush Saroyan and I have been playing Bridge there every second Tuesday, ever since, that is, when I am not at sea.

It IS a very nice group. I had not played for years and I was, and still am, seriously rusty. They took me in and shared Bridge lessons with me. A year later they are still patient and now, they are friends. I look forward to every second Tuesday afternoon, when I get to see them and sharpen up my Bridge skills.

Golf - Alfred Jaeger

I joined the MURA golf group as I had played golf occasionally in the past and wanted to do so more regularly now that I was retired and had the time for it. I did not have regular golfing partners in Montreal so this was a way for me to play more golf with others rather than just by myself from time to time or with others visiting from out of town. That said, many, if not most, of the other members also play with others on a regular basis, often weekly, as opposed to the every second week schedule of the MURA group. The golf group was a way for me to get to know other golf courses in the Montreal area as the games rotate between courses. I also joined because the other members were very encouraging, welcoming and quite open to the participation of golfers of varying ability levels.

I enjoy having the opportunity to get out of the house into the countryside to be outside and be engaged in moderate physical activity. Most members including myself take a cart but some walk the course, getting more physical activity than I do. I also enjoy the social aspect as members of foursomes have plenty of time to chit chat about the game and other things.

Like all other golfers, I enjoy the rush of a good shot which erases any frustration one might have had before that. Playing regularly every two weeks has helped me improve my game which remained fairly static during the previous thirty years. It is also nice to be outside and witness the change in seasons, especially in the Fall. Of course the 19^th hole is also a highlight when we sit down by the clubhouse after a day on the links.

I would strongly encourage MURA members to join the golf group. There is a camaraderie similar to that of other MURA groups, however this one is outside! Give it a try and you will not regret it. If you would like to join the group this year, please email Anne Billyard at: Annebilly [at] hotmail.com.

 

Pickleball - Karen Cavanagh

I was delighted to be asked to write about my personal pickleball experience with MURA. I was intrigued back in 2022 when pickleball was first offered as a prospective MURA activity. I knew nothing about pickleball but kept it on a back burner to look into. I finally decided to give it a try in January 2023. I borrowed a paddle and convinced my husband to join me for a trial session. We were both hooked and bought our own paddles to play weekly. I found it a very easy game to pick up, though keeping the ball inbounds and learning to simultaneously keep score was a challenge. But who doesn’t enjoy a good challenge? I stuck with it and gradually got better at playing and scoring, and my skills level quickly improved. With the group players of diverse levels of skills it is easy to find a match well suited to your level. The overall benefits include cardio, balance, eye hand coordination, and a fun group of people. I’m happy to have joined the group and enjoy the many health supportive aspects of the game. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of giving it a try!

If you are interested in participating in this activity either this spring or in the fall don’t hesitate to contact Henry Leighton (henry.leighton [at] mcgill.ca)

Restaurant Dinner Group - Beverlea Tallant

This MURA Group meets monthly (except December) in a variety of interesting restaurants. Currently we have 20+ members who enjoy a meal together. Although, we may not have met while working, our common retiree bond is McGill…a good starting point for new friendships and interests.

The MURA BYOB Restaurant Group provides an opportunity to discover different eating areas in the Plateau, Griffintown, East Montreal, NDG, Westmount and the West Island and to try out different types of food. Menus vary from Italian to Japanese, Greek, Iranian, Hawaiian, Pub, Vietnamese, African, Grill, and French, etc. And, of course, BYOB means you can enjoy all this with your favourite drink!

We welcome new members - this group likes variety…whether it be people, location, or food! Contact Joan Wolforth at joan.wolforth [at] mcgill.ca if you are looking for good food, fun and fellowship!

Honours and Awards 

Robert D. Stanley Awards

The MURA 2025 Awards Committee, Ginette Lamontagne, Chair, Mercedes Delacroix, Lawrence Mysak, and Carlette Walker nominated Bob Stanley for two awards:

College and University Retiree Associations of Canada Tribute Award

Bob (Robert D.) Stanley has been treasurer for MURA since his retirement and has served for an unprecedented three terms (8 years). Bob was nominated by MURA for CURAC’s Tribute Award for his sustained relationship with MURA’s partner associations and unions, as well as his dedication to ensuring MURA’s sound organizational stewardship and financial stability. The MURA Nomination Committee highlighted Bob’s “financial annual reports at the AGM [which] are clear, concise, precise, and most appreciated by the membership at large. Every organization needs a forward-looking backstop like Bob Stanley, someone who is keen to encourage the association to take on new challenges and develop a full program of activities.” (Full article

Suzanne Lajoie

Education Professor Emerita Susanne Lajoie, now a MURA member, was awarded the McGill University Medal for Exceptional Academic Achievement on May 30 during the Faculty of Education’s convocation ceremony for her work on optimizing the use of digital technology to enhance learning. In the past, she also received the Carrie M. Derick Award for Graduate Supervision and Teaching at McGill. Susanne taught in the Faculty of Education’s Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology for 32 years prior to her retirement. (Full article)

 

The Honora Shaughnessy McGill Ambassador Awards

Named in honour of Honora Shaughnessy, MLS’73, MURA member and former Executive Director of the McGill Alumni Association, this award is presented to a member of the McGill Community, who has made an exceptional contribution to the University as a role model in fostering friend-raising, loyalty, professionalism and team spirit. In addition to his demanding “day job” as Director Project Management and Development, Bob Stanley volunteered for 10 years as Vice-President of MUNASA. He was also a course and visiting lecturer in the School of Architecture sharing with students his vast experience in project management. Post retirement, he was a member of the Career Development Committee, a judge of the McGill Student Sustainability Challenge, and was recruited in 2015 as Treasurer of the McGill University Retiree Association (MURA). For an unprecedented three terms, Bob’s many contributions for the McGill University Retirement Association (MURA), including his sustained relationship with partner associations and unions, has ensured a sound financial stability. Bob was a recipient of this award at the MAA Honours and Awards Celebration in Montreal on May 7, 2024, held at the newly renovated 9th Floor of the Eaton Centre. (Full article)

Bob's academic and work history at McGill are outlined in his Made by McGill story - "Made to Manage Complex Projects." As a Retired Director, Project Management, Facilities Operations and Development, he talks about the fascinating highlights of his twenty-four year career at McGill.

The McGill’s Office for Science & Society (OSS) Celebrates a Quarter Century 

As McGill “proves its mettle” and relevance in today’s Quebec society, we all know of at least one office currently celebrating an important 25th anniversary that has accomplished so much in exposing quackery and pseudo-science to the public. McGill’s Office for Science & Society (OSS) that “separates sense from nonsense,” was launched by Drs. Schwarz, Fenster and Haarp and Deans of Science, staff, students, and donors.

“In the last 25 years, the OSS has had to face off against an ever-increasing volume of BS and Buncombe, as the internet has empowered every hair-brained idea and every tinfoil-hat-wearing crackpot. Once upon a time, these folks were creaking out their ideas on a Gestetner machine. Today, they can reach millions and with the advent of AI, generated content. In the future, it looks like there will be even more battles to fight. … misinformation, falsehoods and charlatans are more prevalent than ever” (Charles Anderson of the Discovery Channel).

Illuminaries such as Julie Payette, Charles Anderson (Producer of the Discovery Channel), Hon. Kelvin K. Ogilvie, Lorne Trottier (McGill OSS Supporter), Timothy Caulfield (U. Alta), Dr. Phil Gold (Professor Emeritus, McGill’s Faculty of Medicine), Craig Colby (Executive Producer), Barry Kar (Executive Director, Committee for Skeptical inquirer Magazine), Paul Offit (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), Josh Blum (American Council on Science and Health), and Dr. Melody Ko (physician and McGill alumna), attest to the accomplishments in this 25th Anniversary Tribute video. McGill’s OSS regularly reaches large audiences through a variety of means (podcasts, newspaper columns, and YouTube online courses to further its mission of “separating sense from nonsense.”

Faculty Club Centenary Book - Neil Stewart

After a career of a little over fifty-two years as a tenure-track professor, I retired from my position as Full Professor at the Université de Montréal in 2021. My career there comprised more than fifty years of teaching and research on the mathematical side of Computer Science.

I have been coming down regularly to McGill's Faculty Club for over eight years now, and since my retirement I've participated in several McGill University Retiree Association (MURA) activities. I've been an Affiliate Member of the association since 2022.

One of my activities at the Faculty Club may be of interest to MURA members. There is a magnificent book on New York's Neue Galerie that describes the mansion in which the museum is housed. It is an "Art Book," with beautiful pictures, but it also gives a great deal of historical information about the building and the area around it (the building is at 86th and Fifth). A couple of years ago it occurred to me that the Baumgarten House, which houses the McGill Faculty Club, also deserves such a book. I pitched this idea to Nicolas Zrihen, the General Manager of the Faculty Club, and with his strong support (and the support of many other people from McGill and elsewhere), the book is nearing publication.

The archival research, and the writing and editing, are finished at last: I estimate that the project involved about sixteen hundred hours of my time over sixteen months. With the help of Professor David Covo and his students, the architectural drawings have been done. Professional photos of the building have been taken, permissions to use archival photos have been obtained, and the text is now in the hands of the McGill Graphics Design people. A draft version of the front cover is shown here, and the book should be published in time for centennial celebrations in the fall of 2024.

MURA is mentioned in the book, albeit briefly. In Section 1.4 it is written that the Faculty Club ". . . provides a meeting place for a bridge club, most of whose members are active or retired members of McGill's faculty and staff, and for organizations such as theMcGill Association of University Teachers and the McGill University Retiree Association."

You can be a Pro-Dean too! - Trudis Goldsmith-Reber

MURA forwards messages from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies reaching out to the retired academic community members seeking Pro-Deans for defences. The Office truly appreciates all the help that members have provided and I would like to tell you about my experiences.

It was quite a discovery to learn from a Ph.D.candidate in the Faculty of Music about a “new mouthpiece” for the saxophone, which would embellish the sound of the instrument. I "travelled" to Alexandria with an architecture student to discover the ancient town through literature, written by Lawrence Durrell, and dicovered what architecture students have to study in “place writing” - when exploring a “place”, that is ready for buildings being erected. I followed the route of a graduate student in city planning when new bicycle routes in remote suburban areas have to be added for those who do not live close to their work places.

Most important for me was my own learning process, because I do actually read each thesis (and the evaluations of the outsiders!) of each individual student, making sure that evaluations from supervisor and external evaluators are in, that the thesis is handed in with format and submission rules set by the Graduate Faculty office are fulfilled. Getting to know the new and highly motivated McGill students at that last phase of their McGill years and at the conclusion of their studies before they step out into the professional world awaiting them, is an extra pleasure for me.

You do not need to be an expert, not even marginally, on the topic of the thesis. You can serve as Pro-Dean in your home Faculty as long as the defence is outside of your home department, and provided there is no conflict of interest. Many defences are being held on Zoom, so remote attendance is possible! Use this link for complete information about serving as a Pro-Dean.

Those Darned Ticks!- Michael Hefferon, M.D.

Ed note: Born in Dublin, Ireland, and raised in a bilingual Gaelic household, Michael secured a scholarship to study Medicine at University College Dublin. He then specialised in children’s medicine in Dublin, Liverpool,and then Kingston, Canada. Dr Hefferon became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Canada in 1986. His training, teaching, and pediatric practice ignited his interest in medical beliefs- some based more on myth, than fact. I met Dr. Michael/”Miguel” Hefferon in January 2020 when I was at a Writing Workshop in Barra de Navidad, on the west coast of Mexico, just south of Puerto Vallarta. He had just published his first book: Medical Myths: A Sceptic's Journey,

He also writes for the following online publications:
Seniors Association - Kingston Region
Vista Magazine
KevinMD - Social Media Leading Physician Voice

And now, back to those ticks…

With the snow gone (hopefully) and more outdoor chores, you’ll soon hear stories of tick bites and tweezers. Tick borne diseases are often on the minds of woodland adventurers, landscape workers and cottagers. In the late 1970’s the town of Lyme, Connecticut experienced a cluster of children with arthritis. No cause was initially found, and tests such as rheumatoid factors were negative.It took a while to demonstrate that all of the patients had been bitten by a deer tick transmitting a bacterium called Borrelia Burgdorferi. This organism would prove to be responsive to antibiotics, if caught in time. Now another tick-borne malady called Lyme Disease was added to the list of summer infestations. In medical practice I was often puzzled by the recurrence of tick bites in the same people. In contrast some folks reported that they had never encountered a tick.

 

This black-legged tick has been working its way north, carried by deer and migrant birds. Only about 30% of ticks carry the causative Lyme bacteria, but odds of 1 in 3 are not comfortable. So, no problem really. Anyone who endured a tick in their skin for 24 hours would be given antibiotics to prevent Lyme Disease(after removing the tick). But why were the same patients showing up year-after-year with these bites?

Some families were even conducting night time rituals examining each other for ticks before bed. As far back as 1974, researchers had concluded that mosquitoes were attracted to people with blood group O, and least attracted to those of Group A. Perhaps individual blood types smell differently to insects. Based on the antigens on the surface of the red cell , human blood types are divided into 4 blood groups- A, B, AB and O. In Canada and north Europe, group O is the most common blood type. This may be changing somewhat as trends of immigration alter the makeup of our towns and cities. In these peaceful summer days of retirement, I still receive medical journals by mail, and I finally have time to read them properly! This article in a European Journal of Infectious Disease caught my eye; In 2019 a group of researchers from Mazaryk University in the Czech Republic had seen the research on mosquito preferences, and set about a similar study of ticks, using blood from volunteers . Drops of blood from each antigen group were placed on the perimeter of a circular filter paper, with 100 ticks (carriers of Lyme) in the centre of the paper. The majority of the ticks migrated to the drop of blood group A. A few to group AB, and group O. Virtually none moved towards Group B. There was my answer! Those who had never reported a tick bite were probably group B. While being group B be makes you unlikely to host a tick, it does not guarantee that you’ll never be bitten. On the other hand, if you are Group A, you might survey the areas of infestation nearby, and take precautions such as spraying tick repellant such as Permethrin on clothing.

Your own blood group data is on your birth record. It’s also on your medical records if you have ever had a transfusion or been crossmatched for one. Children with diabetes have shown significant complications from tick bites. This has led to a myth that such children attract ticks because of the sweetness of their blood. This is untrue. However patients with diabetes can have more severe reactions to tick bites, including infection at skin level, due to altered immune response. So as we enter the outdoor season, be aware that you can’t protect yourself from all tick bites, but you can be prepared by knowing your risk level and what to to do if you are bitten. This way we can still enjoy the outdoors! ………………. Have a great, healthy, summer, everyone!