Steps for Life 2022: A Walk for Workplace Injuries

- Amanda Wood, Community Relations Coordinator

• On May 1st, the annual Steps for Life fundraising and support walk took place in Regina, SK. Community members gathered to show their support to those families and friends who have had a loved one involved in a workplace injury. The Steps for Life walk brings community members together to change the future for all those who have been affected by a workplace tragedy. The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads for Life, offers support to the healing journey of families who have been impacted by a workplace fatality, traumatic life-changing injury, or occupational disease.

​Derek Wold, Committee Chair of Steps for Life, shared that their goal for donations was increased three times, and that the Regina area campaign progress raised over $5,000!

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​The Saskatchewan Safety Council was on location to show support and volunteer at the t-shirt table. Our organization understands the mission of Steps for Life, and we’re proud to support the valuable and meaningful services and resources that Steps for Life has to offer.
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Before the walk began, we heard from Michelle and Jerry Sprackman, two parents who lost their son Cade to a workplace incident in 2015. They travelled to Regina from their home in Hudson Bay, SK to be present with everyone at the Regina Steps for Life walk. They expressed the importance of safety training and why respecting safe practices is an essential part of participating in the workplace. Michelle spoke about the benefits of the forums offered by Steps for Life, and how that support from other families who are grieving and attempting to heal helped Michelle and Jerry on their healing path after Cade passed away. Cade was only 18 years old and died 3 weeks into his job at a new workplace.

Amanda Wood, Community Relations Coordinator, and Rory McCusker, New Media Specialist, representing the SSC at the Steps for Life event.

Amanda Wood, her husband Brady, and family members join together for the 2022 Steps for Life walk.

​Chief of The Regina City Police, Evan Bray, shared remarks about the event and showed his support, explaining why Regina is proud to support Steps for Life and showed appreciation for the hard work they have done to provide support and services for the grieving families of Saskatchewan.
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Shortly after 11:00 am, at Wascana Park, the Steps for Life walk began. Everyone was showing their support, wearing their Steps for Life t-shirts, and walking together to complete the 5-kilometer walk. The walk is aimed to educate the community and how we can work together to prevent injuries and fatalities from happening in the workplace, and to remember those who we lost in a workplace incident. 

​Every day, there are 3 workers who die in Canada resulting from a workplace incident, which every year leaves over 1,000 families to heal and try to live on without their loved ones. If you were unable to attend this year, we hope to see you next year! The Steps for Life walk takes place across Canada, and in Saskatchewan, the annual fundraising walks are held in Regina and Saskatoon. We invite you to learn more about Steps for Life and welcome you to join us and continue to offer support to these families suffering and help us to prevent these incidents from happening altogether.

Wascana Park hosts this charity fundraiser and support walk in Regina.