SASKATOON EXPRESS - November 23-29, 2015 - Page Volume 12, Issue 47, Week of November 23, 20151
Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
Brett Bayda is the founder of the Swinging with the Stars fundraiser (Photo by Sandy Hutchinson)
Brett Bayda
Grandmother inspired fundraising event
Cam Hutchinson toon’s popular Swinging with the Stars Saskatoon Express fundraiser. dna Adams didn’t think she was “One of her favourite things was danca senior. After all, seniors are old ing,” Bayda said. “She resided for the people. last 20 years before she passed away in She lived her life with such vibrancy. Vernon, British Columbia. And, every day, That made it so sad to see her in her final she would go down to the senior citizens’ years. With Alzheimer’s, she was no centre and dance. She called it ‘helping longer independent. Her life, and then her the seniors,’ because she never wanted to death five years ago, had an incredible admit she was a senior. She was just helpimpact on Brett Bayda. ing there, right?” “My Gramma Edna was the love of my Then Edna was diagnosed with Allife,” Bayda said. “She was an inspiration zheimer’s. to me. She was a talker and just so outgo“She had a horrendous last seven years ing.” of her life.” She missed flights and buses when She died at age 88. she couldn’t pull away from a good Bayda, who was not yet 30, didn’t want conversation. Her death led to Bayda 1 15-11-17 to see older ENCH.starphoenixad_genericTOSP.pdf 1:58 PMadults experience the same both writing a book and creating Saska- things as his grandmother.
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“That became a passion of mine. So I dove into it and started researching everything I could about it and ended up writing a book. The whole concept of the book was to prolong independence in older adults.” He went at it from a unique angle. He wrote the book — Care Planning Formula — for the adult children of aging parents. It is both a work book and a guide. During the process, Swinging with the Stars was born. “I thought what better way to do something in memory of my gramma, as well as to raise money for a cause I really believe in.” Swinging with the Stars is now heading into its fourth year. In three years, $175,000 has been raised. The benefac-
tor during the first two years was Prairie Hospice. “They were just starting their organization and I really, truly believe in what they do. I thought they were a great recipient to receive the funds.” He is an advocate for Saskatoon having a physical hospice, rather than care provided in the homes of its clients. “I really wanted to see Prairie Hospice take off. I really wanted to do my part in the community,” he said. “Nobody should ever die alone.” Last year, and again this year, Hope’s Home is the charity of choice. The money raised at Swinging with the Stars helped Hope’s Home open in Saskatoon earlier this year. (Continued on page 12)
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