Dodgeball players are hard at training ahead of the LRHF fundraiser on Tuesday Nov. 29 for youth mental health and as well, a medical imaging machine.
CEO Stephanie Munro with the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation says they have 12 teams signed up for the 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. exercise at the Hoop Factory. One of the causes that the exertions will raise funds for is a medical imaging machine to better detect patients who have difficulty swallowing. The device is called a TIMS machine.
“That piece of equipment allows the speech and language pathologist to better diagnose people with swallowing issues – if they are having dysphagia, or other disorders. It is high resolution, better quality and a lot quicker imagery,” says Munro.
She notes that having access to the enhanced imagery from the new machine will make for a faster and more precise diagnosis.
The Dodgeball event is aimed at dodging the stigma by raising awareness and funds to support youth mental health resources adds Munro.
The event is being live streamed and supporters can also come down to the Hoop Factory and lend their voices to support the athletes.
With community involvement in mind, Munro says they also got support from schools with youngsters pitching in for the cause.
“We did have a challenge card go throughout the school system. So those are due next Friday the 25th, November. So it was an opportunity for any school age child between the ages of 5-18 to be engaged in a physical challenge to be part of it as well.”
Munro is thankful to all of the teams who are taking time off from their jobs to support the fundraiser.