Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Free Press staffers receive awards to research FASD, reserves' water

NEWSROOM staff at the Winnipeg Free Press are the recipients of two major journalism awards that will provide them $40,000 for in-depth research into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and drinking water on reserves.

The awards are among 18 provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research this year, worth a total of $300,000. The mission of the federal CIHR is to expand scientific knowledge.

"These are two very important projects that we believe will make a difference in our community," Free Press editor Margo Goodhand said. "We are thrilled to win these two awards.

"The funding will go a long way to ensure we get to the places and the people we need to tell these stories."

Reporter Mary Agnes Welch is heading a three-reporter team of Carol Sanders and Mia Rabson, who will explore Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders -- causes, social costs, treatments, and prevention.

Assistant city editor Helen Fallding and photographer Joe Bryksa will use their award to examine the health impacts of poor drinking water on Manitoba First Nations, where in some communities residents still have to haul their water by bucket from a community pump.

This is the second year the CIHR has given journalism awards to promote in-depth health coverage.

Last year, Free Press health reporter Jen Skerritt won a $20,000 grant to study the history and spread of tuberculosis in Manitoba. It resulted in an award-winning six-part series, The Forgotten Disease.

The CIHR said the awards program addresses the demand by Canadians for quality coverage of health-related issues.

The CIHR awarded 12 $20,000 grants and six $10,000 grants.

Anyone who has suffered health problems from drinking water on reserves can contact Fallding at helen.fallding@freepress.mb.ca or call 204-697-7575.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 10, 2010 A2

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