Health walk raised funds for brain jury victims

By RAMON GONZALEZ
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Wearing light-green commemorative t-shirts filled with corporate sponsors' logos, participants walked up to six km along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and down the bike paths of Rundle Park.

They walked to raise awareness of Catholic health care as well as funds for people with brain injuries.

The Catholic Health Association of Alberta and Affiliates (CHAAA) along with the Northern Alberta Brain Injury Society sponsored the walk and picnic.

All walk participants raised money through pledges with some families raising as much as $1,000. Final figures won't be known until June 18.

Last year's walk at Golden Bar Park attracted 200 participants and raised $12,000, which turned into $5,000 after expenses. The CHAAA shared the bulk of the profits with the Headstart Program, which co-sponsored last year's walk.

Organizers expect a much higher return this year. This year's expenses are almost entirely covered by the more than 70 corporate sponsors. Profits will be split between the CHAAA and the Brain Injury Society.

Each year the CHAAA chooses a different partner to co-sponsor the health walk and promotes it actively through parishes and Catholic schools.

CHAAA is a non-profit association of 36 faith-based health care facilities. Established in 1943, it serves its members primarily through education programs that emphasize the Christian mission and values of health as well as through advocacy with government.

The Northern Alberta Brain Injury Society is a non-profit organization which promotes an optimal lifestyle for people affected by brain injury.

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