January 19, 2016
Alexis Skeels volunteers at an influenza immunization clinic in Bentley.
Story by: Heather Kipling
Immunization is the best way to arm yourself against influenza, as it protects not only your own good health, but the health of others around you. And for Alexis Skeels, that’s why getting immunized each year has become more than just a part of her fall routine.
You could say that influenza immunization is something she champions by not only rolling up her sleeve, but helping others do so as she volunteers at immunization clinics in Bentley.
“I’m always glad to help with the flu clinics,” says Skeels, 62.
She began volunteering in her community in 1975 as part of the Get Together Club, doing everything from fundraising for the community, bringing in flowers for long-term care residents at the Bentley Care Centre, to gathering clothing for the homeless in Red Deer before becoming involved in volunteering with Alberta Health Services as part of the local ladies auxiliary.
“When the auxiliary was still operating in the community, I got started helping at the flu clinics. It was a natural fit, given we were involved with the care centre,” she says. “When the auxiliary folded, the ladies group took over helping volunteer at the clinics.”
Volunteers like Skeels are often the first faces people encounter as they enter influenza immunization clinics. The volunteers greet people as they arrive and help the complete the necessary paperwork prior to being immunized.
They also help Public Health nurses observe people after they’ve been immunized to make sure they’re not experiencing any complications or discomfort, and they provide refreshments.
While volunteering and getting immunized are now annual activities for Skeels, she admits it wasn’t always the case.
“I got my flu shot on and off throughout the years, but in 2000 my husband had a heart attack and became very ill. It was apparent we needed to do everything we could to help him stay well,” she says.
“You could say I saw the big picture; I had to stay healthy to help others.”
The decision to make influenza immunization an annual healthy habit became reinforced when in 2003, Skeels’ husband Gordon underwent a heart transplant. Immunization was a requirement of his follow-up care, for both Gordon and those around him.
But it wasn’t just Gordon who was at higher risk for complications, as Skeels was facing her own health battle against lymphoma for a second time.
“In that time I had my second round of cancer and was so immunosuppressed that I had to stay away from anyone who was even slightly ill,” she says. “All it could have taken was for me to come to town to get the mail and run into someone who had the flu and I could have gotten very ill.”
Now, Skeels continues to encourage others to protect themselves against influenza.
“You may not get the flu yourself, but you could carry the germs and pass it onto a grandparent, a friend, child or a complete stranger,” she says. “You need to get immunized for your family.
“It’s so easy. You can go to a clinic, go to your doctor or go to the pharmacy. Just go get immunized.”
