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Supporting Local Growth and Development

Join the Smile Train

A cleft lip and palate are variations of a type of clefting deformity caused by abnormal facial development during pregnancy. Clefts are one of the most common birth defects in developing countries. Associated problems affecting those with clefts include malnutrition, dental health, speech issues, and hearing. Every year, more than 170,000 children are born with a cleft lip or palate and most can't afford surgery. These children are the reason why the Smile Train was created.

The Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft charity. Currently, they are able to help over 320 children every day in the following areas:

• Cleft Surgeries
   
• Medical Equipment & Infrastructure Support: All of these investments make not only significant number of incremental surgeries possible, but also make these surgeries safer and of higher quality.
   
• Ancillary Treatment: Every child with cleft needs more than just surgery. They also need dental care, orthodontics and speech therapy.
• Financial Aid for Patients: The smile foundation has special programs that help give small amounts for patients who are financially unable to support themselves.
   
• Training & Education: Over the past 13 years, the Smile Train has provided more than 66,000 free scholarships, surgical training resources, workshops and symposiums for doctors and medical professionals from over 140 countries.
   
• Public Awareness Campaigns

It’s true when people say, "When you smile, the world smiles with you”. Because of organizations like the Smile Train, children are given a whole new world of happiness.AGAT Laboratories supports the Smile Train’s mission to provide a new outlook on life for these children and has donated $5,000 to their cause.
 

About the Smile Train:

The Smile Train was founded in 1999, and since it was formed, over 790,000 cleft surgeries have been performed to date. What makes this organization unique is that they do not just stop at providing cleft surgeries. This organization uses technology, determination and innovation to train and utilize local partner hospitals and doctors by providing them with the resources, knowledge and skills to enable long-term sustainability.

If you would like to learn more about the Smile Train or how you can get involved please visit their website at http://www.smiletrain.org/.

Fighting Poverty and Hunger for the Holidays

December 11, 2012

In Canada, approximately 3 million people are experiencing poverty. For the Canadians who struggle with poverty, no dream is too small.  Poverty is a critical issue and everyone deserves the right to access basic necessities such as nutritious food, health care, education and economic opportunity.

The effects of poverty are serious:   

• It requires people to make painful choices between necessities, such as paying the rent or feeding the kids, going to the dentist or buying a monthly bus pass.
   
• It often leads to hunger or unhealthy eating, poor health, interrupted schooling, homelessness or poor quality housing, substance abuse, crime, violence and despair.
   
• Those who experience poverty have a shorter lifespan, and often suffer physically and emotionally.

Consider the facts of poverty:

• 1 in 11 Canadians live in poverty, 1 of 4 of those are children.
   
• It is estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 Canadians are homeless. Unfortunately, Canada does not currently have enough affordable and permanent housing to accommodate the homeless population.
   
• In Canada, close to 900,000 Canadians are assisted by food banks each month, and 38% of those helped are children and youth.
   
• Those who live in poverty often require higher than average use of publicly funded programs like welfare, hospitals, police and correctional services, which increases taxes in Canada as a whole.
   
• More than 1.7 million people receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year across the country; many among them include the nation's poor.

To help during the holiday season AGAT Laboratories and its Employees across Canada have donated $108,291.87  to the Canadian Salvation Army in the hopes of reaching 1000 families with a minimum emergency food basket during the Holiday Season.  Each $120.00 donation ensures a basic emergency food basket to sustain a family of four in a time of need.  AGAT Laboratories and its employees pay tribute to our many customers, suppliers and support services that have made this donation possible.

Above: AGAT Laboratories' Michael DeSanti on behalf of the Board of Directors and Amanda Baxter, Marketing Manager present Captain Pam Goodyear with a cheque for $108,291.87 to The Salvation Army.

About The Canadian Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

Anyone wishing to join the AGAT family in our Holiday Season contributions please click here.

Helping Unlock the Power of Sport

For people with a disability, the Special Olympics are often the only place where they have an opportunity to develop a strong belief in themselves. Through Special Olympics, they begin to see themselves differently. Whether by stepping onto the ice or onto the track, they now see themselves as athletes who can do so much more.

Special Olympics Canada is dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with a disability through sport. The organization was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Now, in 2012 there are over 35,055 children, youth & adults with a disability that are registered in Special Olympics programs. And these athletes are supported by a network of over 16,400 volunteers.

From St. John’s to Victoria to Whitehorse, the reach of their grassroots movement is profound and the benefits to those children, youth and adults with a disability who are registered in its programs, as well as those that matter most to them, is undeniable.

This inspiring organization helps create change through the following:

• Changing Attitudes: The mission of the Special Olympics is to help educate people about the dignity and gifts of all people.
   
• Building Communities: The Special Olympics strives to bring people together and allows them to connect on an entirely new level. People from all walks of life – families, local leaders, businesses, law enforcement, celebrities, government officials, and others – work together to make the world a better place; one which is more respectful, accepting, and tolerant.
   
• A place to learn: Special Olympics is humanity’s greatest classroom, where lessons of ability, acceptance and inclusion are taught on the fields of competition by the athletes.
   
• Empowering Through Sport: Special Olympics helps the athletes gain a strong belief in themselves and allows them to become leaders in their communities.

AGAT Laboratories has donated $4,000 to Special Olympics to help benefit the programs that support their athletes.

If you would like to learn more about the Special Olympics or how you can get involved please visit their website at http://www.specialolympics.ca/.

13th Annual Cardel Special Olympics Golf Classic

Left: Perry Berezan, Calgary Flames' Alumni; Emilio Barrett, Special Olympics Athlete; and AGAT Laboratories' Michael Mercer, Richard Klippenstein, Matthew Blanch and Michael DeSanti

About Vision Loss

In Canada there are over one million Canadians living with blindness or a significant loss of vision.

This number breaks down to:  

• 84,000 people in Atlantic Canada.
• 158,000 people in Quebec.
• 510,000 people in Ontario.
• 69,000 people in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
• 103,000 people in Alberta.
• 135,000 people in British Columbia.

Visions loss can include any type of reduction in vision from partial loss of vision to complete blindness.  Vision loss can affect people of all ages from young to old. The Canadian National Institute for the Blind  reports the following statistics:

• One in eight Canadians aged 75 or older are living with vision loss. (280,000 Canadians)
• One in 11 Canadians aged 65 or older are living with vision loss. (432,000 Canadians)
• 23,000 Canadian children (under 15 years) are living with vision loss.

Vision loss can be caused by such conditions as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors or genetic disorders.

The number of people with vision loss is projected to dramatically increase in Canada as our population ages and becomes more susceptible to developing major eye diseases. Prevention and awareness are important to bring focus to this matter.

It is important to understand that 75 per cent of vision loss can be treated or prevented, and the earlier the diagnosis, the greater the opportunity to minimize vision loss.

AGAT Supports Family in Ontario with Son who has Advanced Norrie’s Disease

AGAT Laboratories is happy to provide support to a family in Whitby, Ontario whose son is experiencing vision loss from advanced Norrie disease. Norrie disease is a rare genetic disorder that leads to blindness in male infants and causes abnormal development of the retina.

AGAT Laboratories will provide all funding required for the medical requirements to help with the surgery and future treatment to help the boy with his sight.

Click here to read the full article.

Marcus Maguire, Senior Vice President of AGAT Laboratories (left), talks with Kristina Reid and husband Dave Reid after telling them AGAT has offered to pay for all of the U.S. medical care their 3-year-old son, Liam, needs.

Preventing Vision Loss

You can prevent vision loss by visiting an eye care professional regularly to help with early diagnosis. Simple lifestyle changes such as wearing UV-protective sunglasses, taking vitamins, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, controlling diabetes and maintaining a healthy diet can greatly help reduce your risk to vision loss.

For more information on vision loss in Canada, please visit The Canadian National Institute for the Blind‘s website at: www.cnib.ca

If you would like to donate to The Canadian National Institute for the Blind click here.

Helping Protect the Animals

January 26, 2012

 “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”

  - Mahatma Gandhi

In Canada each year, over one quarter of a million animal companions are faced with issues of animal cruelty, abandonment, and overpopulation.  

Abandoned animals regularly die of starvation, exposure or are killed by other animals or hit by vehicles. Other issues facing animal companions in Canada include puppy mills, dog fighting, dangerous dogs and breed bans, cat over population, malicious poisoning, and animal hoarding. The death of each animal is an obstacle to the moral progress of a society as it reinforces the view that animals are disposable and that we have no obligation to seek for a solution to end their problems.

Click here to view a video on rescued research dogs and watch them as they experience the sun and grass for the first time.

The Humane Society of Canada (HSC) works to protect dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits and small animals, livestock, lab animals, wildlife and the environment. They carry out programs dedicated to helping animals and nature through rescue operations, exposing animal cruelty, passing animal protection laws, supporting local animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers and by encouraging communication about how to help animals and nature through humane education.

How you can help the HSC protect animals:

• Choose and promote the adoption of animals from shelters. This reduces irresponsible breed practices and abusive puppy mills; it also helps take many abandoned animals off of the streets.
   
• Always microchip and keep ID tags on your pets as this will provide them with a ticket home.   
   
• Be a responsible pet owner and spay or neuter your pets to help the pet overpopulation problem.
   
• Volunteer your time with your local humane society, SPCA or other animal welfare organization. Work to pass legislation that protects animals.
   
• Report animal abuse to your local animal shelter, animal control department, humane society or SPCA.
   
• Buy cosmetics and personal care products that are not tested on animals. Use cruelty-free household cleaners, or make your own cleaners from natural products.
   
• Donate to your local animal shelter to help them get the supplies and resources they need to help animals in your area. All donations help towards directly improving the lives of shelter animals.

AGAT Laboratories and its employees across Canada have donated $10,000 to assist the HSC in its mission. If you are interested in joining the AGAT family and the HSC in helping animals click here.

The Humane Society of Canada (HSC) depends entirely on donations to support their programs to help animals and the environment. If you would like to learn more about their mission and educational campaigns that protect animals and the environment please visit their website at www.humanesociety.com/.

Providing relief to drought victims in the Horn of Africa

September 15, 2011

As one of the worst famines that our generation has ever seen, the Horn of South Africa is experiencing a severe drought which is endangering the lives of over 12 million people.

To help during this crisis, AGAT Laboratories has donated $10,000 to World Vision Canada to go towards food, clean water, agricultural support, health care and other vital assistance that the children and families in this region desperately need. Donated before September 16, 2011, this amount was doubled by the Canadian Government through their "Double the Impact" donation matching initiative.

World Vision is a relief organization that is dedicated to advocacy, growth and the development of children, families and communities, helping them overcome poverty and injustice. Canada became a part of World Vision in the 1950’s and its national headquarters are in Mississauga, Ontario. World Vision is the largest private relief and development agency in Canada, partnering with numerous agencies and governing bodies to address pressing issues such as famine, child rights, drought, hunger and health.

For more information on this organization and their ongoing projects, please visit their website at www.worldvision.ca. 

AGAT Laboratories supporting local aboriginal communities

AGAT Laboratories is proud to partner with the Métis Development Corporation in helping to support the organization’s mission of creating sustainable business development in the local area and support economic growth and self-sufficiency for members of the Labrador Métis Nation.

The Labrador Métis Nation is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to promoting and ensuring the basic human rights of its members and the collective recognition of these rights by government bodies, industries and the public in general.  The Labrador Métis Nation created the Métis Development Corporation to generate sustainable dividends for the Labrador Métis Nation through for-profit, business development, while maintaining a deep respect for Inuit-Métis traditions, elders and Labrador Métis Nation policies.

In 2008, AGAT Laboratories worked with the Aboriginal peoples of Labrador and Newfoundland to open a Branch location in Happy-Valley, Goose Bay. This Branch is a seasonal sample reception facility that supports the Goose Bay Remediation Project.

Through our Employment Equity Program, we aim to represent Canada’s rich diversity and ensure that no person is denied employment opportunities. It is important that all employees be equally represented in all levels of our organization and be treated fairly in all of our selection, hiring, training and promotion practices.

 For more information on our Aboriginal Partnerships please e-mail info@agatlabs.com.

AGAT Laboratories - The tee off against cancer at the Don LaBerge Memorial Golf Tournament

September 7, 2011

AGAT Laboratories is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Annual Don LaBerge Memorial Golf Tournament on September 7, 2011.

This event began in recognition of Don LaBerge who has made positive and innovative contributions that continue to impact many today. This event increases awareness and all proceeds will go to the Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF) for continued research and to provide assistance in the battle against cancer.

Last year’s event awarded the ACF over $20,400 and they hope to receive even more donations this year. AGAT Laboratories will be raffling off two tickets to see Keith Urban at the Calgary Saddledome and with a minimum donation of five dollars your name will be entered into the draw.

For more information on the Don LaBerge Memorial Golf Tournament click here.

To submit your name for the prize draw, click here.

AGAT Laboratories aids in the fight against cancer

June 8, 2011

Melanie Larche and several other AGAT employees from the Montreal lab have joined the fight against cancer by participating in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

Together, the team raised over $3,000 towards the fight against Cancer. In support of the Canadian Cancer Society and Melanie’s team, AGAT Laboratories has also donated an additional $2,000.

Did You Know? According to the Canadian Cancer Society, two in five Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, although now 62 per cent will survive compared to 33 per cent in the 1960’s.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s, Relay For Life is an opportunity to get together with family, friends and co-workers to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and fight back in the hope of finding a cure.

For more information on AGAT Laboratories’ community investment, e-mail info@agatlabs.com. For more information on the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, click here.

AGAT Laboratories helps celebrate Canada’s national past time

The next time you find yourself in the Calgary Saddledome surrounded by a sea of red or in the Bell Centre, cheering on the Montreal Canadiens - look around the rink boards and see if you can spot AGAT Laboratories.

Tom Stompin sang, “The good ole hockey game is the best game you can name”. In line with this sentiment, AGAT Laboratories has partnered with the Calgary Flames and the Montreal Canadiens to support Canada’s favorite past time coast to coast. We recognize that value-added service starts in the community and are committed to the development of our local communities.

Support our teams and support your local growth with AGAT Laboratories. For more information on our involvement, please e-mail info@agatlabs.com.

Project IX-CANAAN

AGAT Laboratories funded a new laboratory to be used for medical care in the rural area of El Remate, Flores in Peten, Guatemala. This laboratory is located in the middle section of a Clinical Building put up by Project IX – Canaan. As a result of the donation of these funds, this location now provides many basic tests which can be conducted to diagnose patients in need in the area.

Although rich in history, the arts and Mayan culture, Guatemala is one of the poorest developing countries in Latin America.  With medical care scarce or non-existent in the rural areas surrounding the Mayan Rainforest, Project IX – Canaan sought to build a clinic where those in the area could be provided with the relief that they need. With the volunteer services of Canadian doctors and the funding from AGAT Laboratories, this goal is closer to becoming fully realized. read more...