The Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association (SBIA) hosted its 12th annual Brain Boogie awareness walk in Crescent Park on Sunday.
About 20 people took part in the Moose Jaw event, which raised over $3,000. All of the money will stay local to help those recovering from brain injuries.
"By coming out and walking, we are making a difference," said SBIA Executive Director Glenda James.
She notes a lot of times when people are injured, it's in an accident. Stats show that it happens most often to men between the ages of 15 and 25.
"It's a really long journey for people who are severely injured with a brain injury," continued James. "It takes them years to recover and having people around, having people to support them and support the family, because the family always bears the greatest burden. We think that our social safety net takes care of things but it really doesn't do a very good job in this case. It's really important that people have support throughout the recovery process."
The Brain Boogie, which was started by a brain injury survivor, has been taking place across the province for the past 21 years. Stops this year included Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Kindersley, Prince Albert, and Moose Jaw. The walks raise over $30,000 every year.
"It still is largely supported by brain injury survivors and their families, they really get into it, it means a lot to them," added James.
There are about 2,500 brain injuries that occur in Saskatchewan every year.
Ken Epp, from Moose Jaw, suffered a brain injury in a motocross accident back in 1999.
"We're all here to help each other because unfortunately, this brain injury thing is underfunded by the government," he said. "We're all trying to make donations and some extra cash to go where it's needed to go."
Epp noted that brain injuries aren't immediately visible to others like other injuries.
"You wouldn't know at all unless it's been a very severe brain injury. Like myself, I've had a brain injury and it's been 24 years now and nobody would know. It was big time bad for me. I lost everything and had to build it back up again. Things like this, to make people realize that there's help."
The Brain Boogie wrapped up with lunch and socializing.
Click here to donate to the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association.
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