Listen up guys. Women have us beat, hands down. Especially when it comes to taking care of one’s health.
When one looks at the top 13 causes of death in Alberta — including all cancers, heart disease, accidental or unintentional injury, diabetes, stroke, chronic liver disease and respiratory disease, men lead women in every category except one — women die more frequently than men from Alzheimer’s disease/dementia. The reason for this is that men simply do not live long enough to die from this.
The inequity in gender health becomes even more staggering when one looks into men’s mental health struggles. More than 500 Albertans die of suicide every year. Of those, more than 400 are men between the ages of 30 and 69.
Dr. Shelley Spaner, a radiologist/partner at Mayfair Diagnostics and a board member at the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC), is determined to change the inequity in gender health. Roughly two years ago, Spaner launched the Women For Men’s Health Group with the support of the Prostate Cancer Centre. Since then, the group has held several successful fundraising events with proceeds helping to expand the recently opened Men’s Health Clinic at the PCC.
Feb. 1 saw the group’s biggest initiative to date with the presentation of the Big Ball at Hotel Arts.
The focus of the hugely successful event was men’s mental health. Big Ball ambassador Karen Gosbee and her daughter Isla spoke eloquently about the importance of having open dialogue about mental health and depression. Karen’s husband and Isla’s father, George Gosbee, a well-known and incredibly successful Calgary businessman, killed himself at 48 years of age in November 2017. One might think such a powerful address from these two ladies — as well as Spaner’s heartfelt address — would have put a real damper on the party vibe. Not so as the more than 450 guests understood why they were there and what they were raising funds for. That more than $100,000 was raised at the Big Ball will go a long way to support men’s mental health at the Men’s Health Clinic.
Fabulous food, stunning decor, superb live and silent auction items and terrific tunes from Side One created a memorable evening for all in attendance. Kudos to presenting sponsors Hotel Arts, Women for Men’s Health and PCC. Take a bow sentiments as well go out to major sponsors EFW Radiology; Postmedia; Gord and Robyn Ritchie; Willow Park Wines & Spirits; DLA Piper; Ike Kolias; Jayman BUILT; Dick and Lois Haskayne; Ronmor Holdings; Preventous Collaborative Health; Borger Group of Companies; Homes by Avi; Philip and Harriet Libin and Family Foundation; One West Event Design; Orange Frog; Brandsmith; Lana Rogers; SAIU; Solidaire Investments; Avenue Magazine; Copeman Healthcare Centres; Village Brewery; E. Ann Falk; Techworks; Rockwood Custom Homes; Owen Hart Foundation; 95.9 CHFM; 660 News; Sportsnet; and many others.
And heartfelt thanks to the incredible Big Ball volunteer committee who gave so tirelessly to ensure the success of the event. Other guests are pictured on this two-page spread. Next year’s Big Ball promises to be bigger and better than ever. I look forward to seeing you there.
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Gus and Wendy Kolias. Courtesy, Brian Buchsdruecker
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Kathy Hays (left) and Patti O’Connor had a great time at the Big Ball, held Feb. 1 at Hotel Arts. Courtesy, Brian Buchsdruecker
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Big Ball 6 Hotel Arts’ Kimberly Dobbins. Courtesy, Brian Buchsdruecker
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Isla Gosbee, daughter of Big Ball ambassador Karen Gosbee, spoke eloquently about her late father George and the importance of men’s mental health awareness. Courtesy, Brian Buchsdruecker
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PR and media consulting ace Lana Rogers ensured the live auction items received top bids. Courtesy, Brian Buchsdruecker
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Big Ball invaluable sponsor, Krita Investments’ Ike Kolias (left) with Herald scribe and ball honorary chairman Bill Brooks. Courtesy, Brian Buchsdruecker
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Taittinger’s Kathy Rawlyk (left) and Kelley Abbey greet guests at the Big Ball Feb. 1 at Hotel Arts with a glass of bubbly.
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From left: Paul Day, Kakai Mabonga, Stephen Warnica and Victoria Carter.
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The Big Ball at Hotel Arts was a success, raising more than $100,000 for men’s mental health at the Men’s Health Clinic at the Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC). Pictured, from left, are ball ambassador Karen Gosbee, Hotel Arts’ Mark Wilson and ball chair, PCC board member and Women for Men’s Health founder Dr. Shelley Spaner.
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Pyramid Productions’ Sheila Rae and Larry Day. Day did a great job in the role of emcee at the Big Ball and Pyramid Productions produced the powerful video screened at the event.
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From left: UCP executive director Janice Harrington, UCP director Cynthia Moore and Kasian’s Sharon Martens.
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Community leader Guy Huntingford, BILD Calgary Region’s Bev Jarvis, city councillor Jyoti Gondek and Todd Gondek.
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Dr. Shelley Spaner (left) and her sister Donna Spaner.
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Prostate Cancer Centre’s Shannon de Vall and her parents Harry and Moira de Vall.
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From left: Big Ball invaluable sponsors, EFW Radiology’s Summit Sawhney, Tawnya Moore, Eric Herget and Roy Park.
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Ann Falk and Mahedi Meghani
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From left: Jay and Tara Cowles, Olivia Popowich, Wanda and Jonathan Lee.
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From left: Jesse Bains, Jessica Gill, Perl Gill, Roby Brar, Jas Dhaliwal and Harman Dhaliwal.
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Suzanne Stewart and Shea Kerwood
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Delta Airlines’ Karli Kincaid (left) and WestJet’s Gloria Kay
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From left; Tammi Christopher, Martha Hart and Virginia Xavier
