On September 14, the BOWEN BrightLights Foundation is proudly presenting the 9th Annual Scott Smed Invitational. This golf tournament is a cause that is very close to my heart and is a special day for our family because it is a time when we honour our son Scott, who passed away as an infant in 2001.

For any parents who have experienced the loss of child, the journey of healing and hope is a long and very difficult one. However, we have been blessed by the support and caring of countless colleagues, friends and family members throughout the years.

As we grieved the loss of Scott, my husband Peter and I also realized we wanted to help other families in our community who would go through this heart-wrenching experience. We created the tournament as a way to raise funds to help provide grieving parents with comforting surroundings and resources to help them remember their child.

Over the years, the tournament has grown and evolved to also include support for babies’ orphanages in Uganda (our daughter is of Ugandan descent). Thanks to the generosity of golfers, sponsors, volunteers and donors, we have raised $430,000 for the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program and for babies’ orphanages in Uganda. There are Scott Smed rooms at the Rockyview General Hospital and Foothills Medical Centre, as well as two more nearing completion at the Peter Lougheed hospital. The new Scott Smed Centre of Excellence will be part of the new South Health Campus and is the first of its kind in Canada, offering families the best possible care when dealing with the loss of a baby.

This year, Scott would be eight years old and the tournament is moving in a new direction to honour his legacy, while continuing to help women and children in our community. We are pleased to announce that the United Way of Calgary and Area has joined us as a partner, allowing us to continue to raise money for the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program through Alberta Health Services, as well as for babies’ orphanages in Uganda through United Way Uganda. It will also give us the opportunity to raise money for women and children in crisis locally through United Way Calgary. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit these three very worthwhile organizations that are so dedicated to making a difference in our community and around the world.

This year has been an extremely difficult financially for many, and yet I am thrilled to say that our tournament has received a record number of sponsors and golfers! It’s an extraordinary accomplishment that shows just how remarkable our community is.

Giving back to the community has always been important to me personally, and I am thankful that at BOWEN, there are many colleagues who share this desire to make a difference to those who need it most.

I encourage you to think of what you can do too, whether it’s giving of your time, talents or financial resources, you can help us make Calgary a better place for everyone.