We continue to be inspired by the commitment and unwavering support within the Medicine Hat Community. This story shows the meaning of commitment as Megan Getz and Chad Watson truly made a difference in the ALS community this year in the fight against ALS.
In 2018, the first annual "Karen's Purple Shirt Party" in support of the ALS Society of Alberta was held. After losing wife and mother, Karen Wagenaar, to ALS in 2017, Rick and his four sons brought their family and friends together to pay tribute to Karen and her journey with ALS. The first Karen’s Purple Shirt Party was held on April 14, 2018 and raised almost $25,000. Since then, Rick and his family have remained committed to doing something special in honour of Karen, and continuing her legacy through their support of the ALS community. We are so honoured to be a part of the Wagenaar family's incredible legacy, and to continue sharing Karen's story with the community. We are so looking forward to everything that they accomplish as they pay tribute to Karen.
This past year, the pandemic put a halt on all events across the province. However, this didn’t stop Megan Getz and Chad Watson from Medicine Hat High School from coming up with a creative way to host the Purple Shirt Party with the Wagenaar family. Talk about pivot, shift, creativity and sheer dedication. Their ingenuity shone through as they came up with the ALS Selfie Challenge.
“This year because of COVID, we couldn’t have the basketball game and we were really upset about that, but we tried to think of a way that we could still do something, so we decided to do this selfie challenge. So, it’s kind of a substitute for the time being until we can have that big basketball game again,” said Megan Getz, an organizer of the selfie challenge and phys-ed teacher at Hat High.
Medicine Hat High School’s basketball teams weren’t able to wear purple on the court to support Karen’s Purple Shirt Party this year, but the school challenged staff and students at all junior high and high schools in the division to take selfies using an ALS Society filter and post on social media, to raise awareness for the ALS community in Alberta. The selfie challenge was a huge hit across the province. There were at least 9 schools that participated and many members of the ALS community. Our own superstars, Mikael and Frida Backlund from the Calgary Flames did the selfie, donated and challenged other hockey players. Mikael had the opportunity to host Karen, Rick and their four sons at a Flames Game, so this challenge was especially meaningful.
Thank you to Megan and Chad for your commitment and dedication to the Wagenaar family and the ALS cause. You truly make a difference.