Many of us have either experienced an adverse medical ordeal personally or had a loved one involved in a tragic medical circumstance. A common thread binds us together and because of this we are seeing that the efforts we put forth are making a difference in peoples’ lives.

Our organization has supported and been involved with a wide array of cases ranging from ER, women’s health, acute care, medical fatalities along with cases needing support and resources to help them navigate within the health system. We are proud to have supported clients by attending meetings alongside them within their perspective health region. Advocates of Open Arms have both assisted and prepped clients to prepare a case synopsis and list of questions needed prior to meeting their health regions. We have helped clients understand all options available to them inclusive of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, United Nurses Association, Alberta Ombudsman, Media, Legal and other external medical organizations or groups. This has prevented clients from feeling limited where unanswered questions may remain. Furthermore, our Advocates have attended client’s Dr.’s appointments and been successful at having Doctors do in home visit when no other options were available.

In March of 2008 we achieved non profit status supporting the credibility of our organization; we are serious about our cause. Being a non profit organization grants us the eligibility we need for several methods of fundraising. In turn any fundraising we do supports and furthers our future efforts.

As a group we have an important liaison with many organizations; we feel honored to align ourselves with these bodies. At Board Meetings several have come to give presentations to us inclusive of the Calgary Health Region Patient Safety Council, Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) and Stacy Petriuk (malpractice lawyer with the firm May Jensen Shawa Solomon LLP) to name a few.