Lung Sask. hosted a pickleball fundraiser at the Kinsmen Henk Ruys Soccer Centre on Saturday, attracting over 50 pickleball teams who played for a good cause.
The Feisty Pickles charity tournament, which originated in Alberta, has now made its way to Saskatchewan to raise funds for people in need of lung transplants.
“[It’s] a great way to not only come out and play pickleball and support a great organization, but it’s also what we’re doing today is raising awareness about lung transplantation and what that process looks like,” said Erin Kuan, president & CEO of Lung Saskatchewan.
Kuan says those located in the prairies who are in need of a lung transplant must travel to Edmonton for the procedure and corresponding post-operation care.
This was something that Donna McDonald became familiar with when she was in need of a lung transplant nine years ago.
“You’re also not at your best in life when you’ve come out of that surgery, right? And so you need a lot of emotional support, you need a lot of physical support, and it would be nice to have that burden of living expenses taken off,” McDonald said.
Breathing Space will be a first-of-its-kind facility within Canada, located in Edmonton, providing accommodations and care for those recovering from a lung transplant, along with their caregivers.
“A lot of people don’t realize the cost that is associated with a lung transplant. You’re picking up and relocating your life. So maybe that’s leaving a business behind, a farming operation, family. And you have to spend money to actually stay in a place in Edmonton for two to three to four months,” Kuan said.
After her three-month recovery in Edmonton, McDonald returned home and was eventually asked to become a transplant ambassador with Lung Sask.
“When I went in for my transplant nine years ago, I had no idea what Lung Sask. did. I went by myself with my caregiver, had it done, and it was only when I started volunteering there that I saw how much they do for people,” McDonald said.
McDonald says that events like the Feisty Pickles Charity Tournament are a positive way to engage the community while shedding light on an important topic.
The lung transplant recipient says many people, including herself, look for ways to help give back through their personal hobbies or interests.
McDonald is a quilter and will be sharing many of her handmade quilts with Breathing Space once it comes to fruition.
“When they were talking about building this home in Edmonton, the Alberta Lung rep said that she thought it would be nice to be able to send people home with a quilt and then finished their three month stay,” McDonald said.
McDonald added that it is a positive, full-circle moment to be able to help those dealing with the challenges she faced nearly a decade ago.
“For that three months, since all you do is take, take, take from the medical profession and the medical resources, it feels very nice to give back to people who need it.”
Organizers say participants had a lot of positive feedback regarding the event, and Lung Sask. plans to make it an annual event.
“Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in Canada, and we wanted to provide a great event that would encourage people to come and try the sport, but also provide a great way for people that are maybe a little further along, a little more adept at playing, to also come and practice and have some fun tournaments and support a great cause,” Kuan said.
