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re -- A -------------- a -------- TT 0 A GRAN an | 4 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 20, 2001 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" COMMUNITY NEWS From the heart Stan Grills credits local doctors - By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star It was just a pain in the neck. So that March night in 1997, after Stan Grills had played cards with his grand- daughter Andrea and a friend, he retired to bed, not feeling quite right, but not overly concerned, either. "I don't like to run to the doctor for every little thing," Mr. Grills, who turned 78, said during an interview in his Prince Albert home Saturday. It was a decision that nearly cost him his life. Mr. Grills was suffering a heart attack, but wasn't aware of it. All he knew was he had a profound, lingering pain in the left side of his neck - no chest pains, no restricted breathing, no discomfort in his arms, the better-known symptoms of a heart attack. When Mr. Grills finally went to the hos- pital in Port Perry the next day, March 2, with his companion Rose in the passenger seat beside him, he was unprepared for their response: He was rushed by ambu- lance to hospital in Oshawa, and placed. in the coronary care unit. Mr. Grills knew he had heart trouble; an earlier angiogram had shown blockage in four arteries in his heart, and he was booked for further consultation and even- tually surgery. But he'd always been healthy, and was unprepared for his condi- tion to worsen. And worsen it did; on March 4, he was 'and research ~ with saving his life transferred from the coronary unit to a reg- ular hospital room. But while out of bed, he suffered another heart attack, a much more serious event. His heart stopped, and a defibrillator was used to establish its rhythm once again. As his condition worsened, his fami- ly prepared for the worst. Mr. Grills' condition continued to wors- en the next day, but finally doctors were able. to transfer him to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He spent more time recovering, getting stronger, and was able to undergo triple bypass surgery on March 20, nearly three weeks after his first heart attack. Mr. Grills realizes he's lucky to be alive: "I damn nearly died in Oshawa," he said. Thinking back, he remembers that although he was in discomfort, he never imagined the seriousness of his condition. "I had no idea when | went to Port hos- pital and they sent me to Oshawa - | thought they were nuts - I didn't think it was that bad," he said. He credits his doctor in Port Perry, and 'others to whom he was referred, with mak- ing a quick, accurate assessment of the grave condition he was in, and taking the appropriate action. That care continues to this dav, as he undergoes regular check-ups. "It's beautiful care," said Mr. Grills. "They know me pretty good up there. "They keep good tabs on Stanley." ~ Stan Grills and companion Rose credit quick-thinking doctors and new advances in treatment with helping him survive a heart attack in 1997. Heart and Stroke Foundation canvassers are conducting their annual door-to- door fundraising campaign throughout Scugog in February. He also credits the advancements that have been made in coronary care with helping him. to survive. That care is the result of research, which is funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Canvassers representing the Heart and Stroke Foundation will continue their door- to-door fundraising efforts in Scugog throughout February. Please give gener- ously. By Lisa McClure Port Perry Star Young film makers to strut their stuff at upcoming festival support and recognize their efforts," said Mr. Langford, 18. Students from Port Perry High School are busy shooting and editing films to be entered in a stsdent-run film festival. It may be a step down from Cannes, but aspiring young writ- vers, directors and actors are seizing this opportunity to demonstrate their talents to the community and their peers. The films will be shown to the student body during the lunch hours from Feb. 19-22. There will be a viewing open to the community on the evening of Feb. 23. The effort is being headed by Port Perry High School student Greg Langford, who has been working on the project since late October. "Port Perry High School is home to a lot of talent, and this is a way for the community to "So much work has been put into these movies by the stu- . dents, teachers and myself. It'll be nice on Feb. 23 when we can all just enjoy ourselves and see the results of our hard work." This will be the first film festi- val staged at Port Perry High School, and Mr. Langford expects many as 10 movies may be entered. A wide range of genres and formats are explored in the films, which vary in length from three to 40 minutes. The young film makers have taken time to research and pol- ish their movies, says Mr. Langford. There are even two students, Jackie Chan and Brian Tighe, who have attracted $550 in sponsorships from local busi- nesses to finance their project. The martial arts film runs at about 40 minutes, and features Jackie Chan (left) and Brian Tighe (right) with film festival arganiier Greg Langford, take a break from editing their submitted film, entitled: "An Action Movie". It's among the student projects that will be part of a film festival at Port Perry High School this week. the talents of the two film mak- ers themselves. They look for- ward to the showing of "An Action Movie", according to Mr. Langford. Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place films. The movies will be evalu- ated by a panel of judges including students Paul Nguyen and Ruth Knight, teachers William Gay and Jim Marchment, and council mem- ber Marilyn Pearce. The films will be shown at a community screening Friday (Feb. 23). The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets will cost $3. The movies will be viewed on a large screen in the school's gymnasium. All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the new cancer wing in Oshawa General Hospital. For more information or questions, Mr. Langford can be reached at 985- 9158.