By Spencer Sterritt

Brain Boogie brings in the big bucks for brain injury supporter

Sep 13, 2015 | 8:44 AM

Brain injury awareness is on the rise thanks to the 13th annual Brain Boogie, a walk/run held September 12 at the Elks Center in support of the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.

Advocates and supporters could walk, fun-walk, run, boogie, saunter, strut, or stroll along either a 2km or 5km course.

Elaine Perkins, a coordinator for the event, considers it a huge success. “We raised roughly 10,000 dollars as of this time, all thanks to our donors, supporters, and all 17 of our volunteers.

“It’s a great thing to know that we are backed by our community.”

Sponsors could submit their pledge for the Brain Boogie online, so Elaine and her team won’t know the total amount for a few days, but they are optimistic.

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“This money from the walkathon goes to all of our brain injured survivors and family members,” she said. “This money gives them a chance to do everything that we take for granted, like going camping, going on a retreat, or even going bowling.”

A portion of the total amount raised will also go towards brain injury awareness. There is currently no cure for brain injury, only awareness and prevention efforts.

Brain injuries can happen many different ways, not just through car accidents and falls.

Perkins went as far as to say that brain injuries are quickly becoming an epidemic. “How many people do we know who have brain injuries because of a stroke?” she asked. Brain injuries can also be caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

For someone like Damien Mackie, the Brain Boogie and support of the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association could be considered a life saver.

He rolled his car in the Yukon in 2010, and suffered brain injuries as a result. According to him there was little to no support for brain injuries in the Yukon.

“He would have probably not even be alive now if we hadn’t left the Yukon for Prince Albert,” said his mother Annabelle Macfie.

Brain injuries can lead to self-destructive behavior and addictions, and Macfie knew her son was going to go nowhere but down unless they received support.

Once they moved to Prince Albert three years ago she was amazed at the support.

“My son was able to go out with others,” she continued. “They understood that he was different but they didn’t see him as different.

It was such a long, lonely journey, and having the people here to take the weight off my shoulders was fantastic.”

Those looking to help raise awareness for brain injuries can still donate to the Brain Boogie, or to the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association. 

ssterrit@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit