Representatives from various Royal Purple groups across Saskatchewan stand with Paul Tremblay who sits on the board of the Lloydminster and area brain injury association. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Brain Injury Awareness

Saskatchewan Royal Purple helps to launch Brain Love Month

Mar 1, 2026 | 1:45 PM

By 2031, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is expected to be among the most common neurological conditions affecting Canadians, along with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and epilepsy.

That’s according to Brian Injury Canada whose statistics also show that one-third of individuals with a TBI are women, with intimate partner violence and accidents being major causes.

March is National Brain Injury Awareness month and a special launch event was held on Saturday in Prince Albert bringing together a number of groups from across the province. Royal Purple National Director and Chair of the Saskatchewan Royal Purple’s Charity Partnership Committee (SRPA) Sandi Lougheed drove in from Beechy, in southern Saskatchewan.

“Not every organization or service club sees its cause and influence grow every year,” she said. “Our growth reflects the increased awareness being given to the number of brain injuries occurring across our province and the needs of those who survive.”

Canadian Royal Purple National Director Sandi Lougheed acknowledged domestic violence rates are on the rise. #DomesticAbuseAwareness #brainlove #Saskatchewan #caringcommunity pic.twitter.com/vkMh2xtBYV

— Nigel Maxwell (@NigelMaxwell) March 1, 2026

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Over the course of the past 11 years, Saskatchewan Royal Purple has donated $250,000 to a number of charities and groups across the province, all sharing the common goal of brain injury prevention.

This year, donations to Saskatchewan’s shelters will total well over $5,000, as over 1,000 care bags will be distributed. This was made possible in part by annual funding support from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

“When you understand what happens when an organization pulls together, and supports one cause then you can start to make a financial difference and you can start to make a public difference,” Lougheed said.

In addition, SRPA will recognize the 40th anniversary of the Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Association with a pledge of over $5,000 and a partnership with their Charity Golf Tournament. On Saturday, an additional $10,000 was presented by way of cheques from the various groups in the room.

Board Treasurer Paul Tremblay was grateful.

“We just moved into a new building and we have expenses there and we’re doing more outreach and more publicity to get out to the other facilities in Lloydminster and that takes people and resources,” he explained.

The contents of the care packages that will be distributed. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Saskatchewan youth made these posters. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The City of Prince Albert has proclaimed March as Brain Love Month. Mayor Bill Powalinsky was on hand for Saturday’s event.

“Interpersonal violence is something we are very troubled with in our community,” he said, noting he sits on the board of police commissioners. “So many of these things are fueled by alcohol, drugs and inability to cope.”

Powalinsky added the city has adopted an alcohol strategy and made some changes to liquor bylaws and as a result he said there has been a decrease in calls related to personal violence.

The Royal Purple national convention in Saskatoon in July will include a major education event addressing these injuries and the rehabilitation women face.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell