Blaine Nittel was 23 at the time of his passing. He is remembered as being fun-loving, with a passion for agriculture, bowling and his career as a derrickhand, and great love for his family.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com@kkingmhn
Hatters are gathering to raise awareness of fatal or life-altering workplace tragedies and show support for local individuals and families affected at the upcoming Steps for Life fundraiser walk, being held at Medicine Hat College on May 6.
Last held in Medicine Hat in 2015, the five-kilometre walk provides community members an opportunity to learn more about workplace health and safety measures implemented to prevent tragedy. It also allows those affected a space to meet and share their stories.
The walk is organized through Threads of Life, a national charity supporting individuals and families who have experienced workplace tragedy through no-cost programs, such as peer-support groups, family forums and information workshops.
All proceeds raised during the walk will go toward Threads of Life, and be used to help fund support programming, something local resident Wendy-Ellen Nittel says is vital for those affected by workplace tragedy.
Nittel’s son Blaine, a derrickhand, passed away in 2012 when his work truck went into a ditch and rolled over.
“When Blaine died, the company he worked for was fantastic (in making) sure that we could have any type of grief counselling we needed,” said Nittel. “But then, we found out about Threads of Life and I’m so glad.
“Threads of life has helped our family continue on our life journey without Blaine (as it has) enabled us to attend family forums, which have helped us and others on our grief journeys (and) has enabled us to make many friends who, like us, have found in Threads of Life a soft place to land.”
Nittel says her family’s involvement with the organization has also aided her in sharing Blaine’s story which, she hopes, had led to greater awareness and implementation of workplace health and safety measures.
“Safety is just so important,” said Nittel. “You just never know what can happen. I don’t want any parents to have to live through what I lived through, (so) the more people who know about safety, the better.”
Nittel welcomes all community members to the Steps for Life fundraiser walk, whether they have experienced workplace tragedy firsthand or simply wish to show support.
Walk registration opens at 10 a.m., with the walk beginning at 11 a.m.
For more information, visit stepsforlife.ca.
