By Bryan Eneas

Saskatchewan Royal Purple Association kicks off brain awareness month

Feb 28, 2017 | 4:00 PM

People decked out in purple swarmed into a Prince Albert hotel today to raise help raise awareness about an issue close to their hearts.

March is brain awareness month; the Royal Purple Association kicked off events by bringing their membership together from around Saskatchewan.

Members of the association gathered at the Prince Albert Inn to start the month. From as far as Shaunovan, the gathering collected almost $5,000 in donations and pledged thousands more.

“The cash donations are the projects that the lodges have already put on… the cash they have on hand,” Sandi Laugheed, a member of the Royal Purple Association said.

She explained the pledges are essentially fundraising goals, which each lodge or group of members commits to for next year. The association has been working towards a $100,000 goal over five years; this year they are now halfway there.

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One effort Laugheed highlighted is the “Wear a Helmet for a Day” campaign.

“[The campaign] gets the kids involved in wearing helmets for that day at school and in raising pledges within the community, so they become aware volunteerism and protection is important in the whole campaign,” Laugheed said.

She said most schools will take part in the wear a helmet campaign in the spring when the bike safety programs begin.

“This is the best way we can make an impact on saving young people, in helping young people in our communities,” Laugheed said.

Laugheed said prevention is the cure to brain injuries. She explained once a brain injury has occurred, there’s no going back.

“There’s very, very little that can be done; you’re basically living a lifetime of recovery,” she said. “The biggest impact we can make is to prevent it in the first place.”

One person who knows about brain injuries more than most, is Hailey Harms. A former figure skater, she had to give up her dreams after multiple concussions left her unable to do what she loves anymore.

“It ruined my figure skating career, but luckily I was still able to go to school,” Harms said.

Harms said the most important step in prevention is raising awareness; most youth aren’t aware how serious brain injures can be.

“If parents can tell their kids to be worrying about wearing a helmet, and thinking about concussions and how it can affect them, that’s the most important and easiest way to help prevent brain injuries,” she said.

Trevor Dubois, the program co-ordinator of the Prince Albert Purple Heart Association just started his role within the organization. He said he’s excited about the donations which were handed over today.

“The importance of bringing awareness to acquired brain injuries is something I hold close to my heart,” Dubois said. “I think that prevention, awareness and education are key stats in preventing acquired brain injuries.”
 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas