Connections. Camp. Brain Blitz A Hawaiian Odyssey. Check It Out! The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association. Brain Injury Awareness Month

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1 S U M M E R Connections The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association Camp The annual Survivor and Family Camp took place at Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Centre June 3-5. A great time was had by all! A hot dog roast around the campfire warmed up campers as they arrived. A drumming circle, led by Mike Pelzer and Darryl Firth, raised the energy level and kept campers spirits high despite the cold weather that blew in. See More on Page 4 Brain Blitz A Hawaiian Odyssey On Saturday May 7 th the SBIA held its Brain Blitz..A Hawaiian Odyssey at TCU Place in Saskatoon. The event was a resounding success, raising the most money it has to date! 300 guests were joined by legendary CFL All-Star George Reed, Rider CEO Jim Hopson and many other sports celebrities such as Toronto Leaf Luke Schenn s parents, WHL Player of the Year Darcy Kuemper, University of Saskatchewan Huskies, Blades owner Jack Brodsky and keynote speaker Graeme Bell. Check It Out! Save Your Melon Page 5 Brain Injury Awareness Month Page 2 & 9 Continued on Page 3 Positive STEPS Walk-a-Thon Page 8

2 June 2011: Brain Injury Awareness Month Don t Risk Your Future BEFORE BRAIN INJURY AFTER BRAIN INJURY BRAIN INJURY CHANGES YOUR LIFE FOREVER! RESPECT THE UNEXPECTED! Play Safely, Drive Defensively, Choose Wisely SASKATOON: 230 Ave. R South, SPH Residence C-Wing, Room 422 Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Z9 MOOSE JAW: Suite Main St. N. Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3K info_sbia@sasktel.net Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3843, Regina, SK S4P 3Y3 Website: 2

3 A Hawaiian Fundraiser and Great Success The excited buzz that filled the Salon at TCU Place throughout the evening, became silent when keynote speaker, Graeme Bell, addressed the crowd. He is better known as a Canadian Football League fullback, but on May 7, he spoke as a brain injury survivor. The brain injury he suffered in an assault outside a Saskatoon business, changed his life forever. He discussed the challenges he faced while he recovered from the injury. Extensive rehab combined with the loving support from his family, enabled Bell to make a full recovery. Now one of the most successful Canadian players in the CFL, Bell is an example of how perseverance can help to overcome a devastating situation. His heart touching speech encouraged the audience to never give up hope. Guests encountered a beautiful Hawaiian setting as they entered the Salon for the Brain Blitz...A Hawaiian Odyssey evening. Greeted by players from the U of S Huskies bearing leis, they were introduced to a hang-loose atmosphere. Guests took advantage of the opportunity to have complimentary photos taken in front of a Hawaiian background painted by SCYAP. Many posed with sport celebrity guests like George Reed, CFL All Star. Featured in the Silent Auction were items ranging from artwork to a big screen TV to sports memorablia, including a signed, framed Guy Lafleur jersey. The most popular items were the cars, a BMW Z4 and the all-new Mini Cuntryman, with many guests posing for photos in them as well as bidding to spend a weekend driving one. The fun continued past midnight with a dance to the music and antics of Men Without Shame. The Thank-You to Our Brain Blitz Committee Thank-you to our Volunteer Committee for all their hard work in making the evening a hit! Co-Chairs: Cynthia Block, Ted Mitchell Doug Richardson, Q.C., Larry Carlson. Ken Howland, Kent Sutherland, Gordon Macfadden, Barb Butler, Dr. Bernard Lawlor, MB, Dr. Declan Quinn, MB, John Hyshka, James Pepler, Lynne Back, Suzanne Decker, Darren Anderson, Kirk Cherry, Sasha Koustov, Angelique MacNeil, Colleen Cann, Synergy 8 Community Builders 3

4 Saturday morning s sessions with Dr. Shawnda Lanting, who presented information about how brain injuries can affect individuals differently, was very well received. Complimentary massages by Julianne and Justine Heagy provided relief and relaxation for those who signed up. Anne MacDonald led an improvisation symphony that greatly amused the campers who participated. The improvisation theme continued throughout the weekend. Ian Morrison led Humour for Healing sessions, where campers learned some of the skills he uses with a stand up comedy troupe in Regina. David Beaudemont guided participants in the creation of a group art masterpiece. Participants stepped into paint and walked across the canvas. It was squishy and fun for all! SBIA s growth and progress over the past year was outlined at the SBIA Annual General meeting Saturday evening. The Annual report will be available online behind the About Us tab at The sounds of music filled the hall as DJ Jamaal James backed up a star studded cast of Karoake singers, including an unforgettable reinterpretation of Johnny Cash s Folsom Prison Blues by Gord Keck in honour of the Canuck s Saturday night hockey win. A new champion emerged from Saturday night s cribbage tournament, which took place in the dining hall. Playing his way to the top with 18 other participants, Riley Treen of Lloydminster claimed the prize after winning four games. Penny Seaman of Saskatoon was the runner up. Taking advantage of the sun that broke through Sunday morning, campers took in a nature walk with Ross Dickson and were fascinated to learn about the many kinds of birds who reside at the lake. The morning concluded with a measurement scavenger hunt led by Kris Theaker and Shantelle Seibel of SARBI Regina. Overall, the weekend was a great success enjoyed by 96 campers! Another Great Camp Weekend! 4

5 Memorial: Ernie Heit Ernie Heit was a valued member of the Prince Albert Chapter and will be missed by many in the community. He is survived by a wife and two sons. Donations in his memory can be directed towards the Prince Albert Chapter. Save Your Melon Campaign Roughrider CEO, Jim Hopson, stresses the importance of helmets Saskatchewan Roughrider CEO Jim Hopson is the new Honorary Spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association! At the Brain Blitz A Hawaiian Odyssey Saturday May 7th, he announced the first initiative in his new role: the "Save Your Melon!" Campaign to encourage people to wear helmets when they play. Whether one is riding a bike, skateboarding, inline skating, or riding an ATV wearing a helmet can save a life. Hopson believes in the importance of preventing brain injuries before they start. We're not going to stop concussion in life or in sport but we can do our best to prevent them said Hopson. Hopson hopes that the Save Your Melon initiative will promote the use of helmets among both youth and adults. SBIA would like to thank Jim Hopson for all his hard work and dedication to this very important campaign!!! 5

6 Sponsor Feature: Itracks The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association would like to thank Itracks for their supporting the Brain Blitz. Garnette Weber, co-founder and CFO of Itracks, has a thing or two to say about the recent attention concussion is getting in the headlines. With a background in physiotherapy, Weber understands the importance of proper education when it comes to Brain Injury prevention. Weber is fully aware of the steps that need to be taken in order to curb the brain injury epidemic. There is a huge gap in amateur sports Weber said. A concussion for an amateur athlete is every bit as serious as a professional athlete. There needs to be a shift in behaviour. Itracks was a Silver Sponsor for SBIA s Brain Blitz A Hawaiian Odyssey. The Saskatoon company is committed to supporting organizations that are important to their staff. During the event, Weber was able to purchase one of the watermelon helmets from the Save Your Melon campaign. My eight year old son absolutely loves his Rider bike helmet! smiled Weber It s an important initiative for the Riders but also for SBIA. Weber, along with the whole Itracks team values SBIA s efforts to be a proactive association. SBIA is an excellent organization with good initiatives. They have innovative ways to impact the community Weber said. Sponsor Feature: University of Saskatchewan Many departments at University of Saskatchewan supported the Brain Blitz. Colin Tennent, Associate Vice-President of the Facilities Management Division, comment about the University s support for SBIA: In an effort to develop long-term community relationships we are committed to being a supportive and valued partner to organizations in communities that benefit all of us Tennent said. The University of Saskatchewan was a Silver Sponsor for the Brain Blitz. Tennent notes that health and safety are one of the core values of the U of S and in his division specifically. These values make SBIA a great fit for sponsorship. SBIA offers support, outreach and care to individuals who have ABI- a valuable service for the people of Saskatchewan. Tennent said. On the whole, the University acknowledges SBIA s positive approach to prevention. Supporting SBIA has clear benefits for the members of our campus community and the rest of Saskatchewan said Tennent. We strongly believe that safety is a shared responsibility and that we all play a critical role in providing leadership and fulfilling our obligations to ensure this valuable message and the work of [SBIA] is shared. SBIA would like to thank the University of Saskatchewan for their support! 6

7 Thank-you to Our Brain Blitz Sponsors Platinum Sponsor Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Media Sponsors 7

8 9 th Annual Positive STEPS Walk-a-Thon and BBQ Join us on Saturday, September 10, 2011 in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Yorkton for the Positive STEPS Walk-a-Thon and BBQ. Inside this issue of Connections you will find the registration form and pledge form. Please register with your nearest chapter, and start collecting those pledges! Once registered be sure to collect or donate $40, which will ensure that you receive a t-shirt at your city s event. Your Friends for Pledges In your to friends use the tagline, Walk With Me, It s a No Brainer Give them a link to our home page Direct them to the donate button, and have them include instructions on the donation form to pledge to your name GRAND PRIZE The top Pledge Earner for the Province will receive two tickets to anywhere West Jet flies! The Walk-a-Thon Grand Prize is Provided By Other Prizes for local high earners will be available 8

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10 New Ways to Keep Updated Stay up-to-date on what s going on with the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association: - We have launched our new website with a news feed at - We have updated our Facebook Group Search Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association - Follow us on Twitter Keep in Touch Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3843 Regina, SK S4P 3Y3 Toll Free in SK: Offices: Saskatoon: 230 Avenue R South, SPH Residence C-Wing, Room 422 Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Z9 Telephone: (306) Moose Jaw: Suite Main St. N. Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3K1 Telephone: (306) If you would like to be added to or removed from our mailing list call or sbia.newsletter@sasktel.net