Brian Maraj, having just played eight hours of squash, with Terry Tenove, in whose honour he first began the Maraj-a-thon three years ago.
Making Spirits Bright
Eight-hour squash 'Maraj-a-thon' honours students with spinal cord injury: raises funds for physical activity programs for kids and teens with impairment.
Brian Maraj has already sweated through two bandanas and a tee-shirt and he's still going strong. It's only noon and he has five hours to go, but he has a smile that goes right around his head and he's still bouncing with energy. One of the university's fiercest (and most competitive) squash players, this is the third year he's arranged the event with the help of PERCS (Physical Education and Recreation Council of Students) - and it's all to show support for three former students who suffered spinal cord injury.
"The origin of this event was to raise the spirits of Terry Tenove, a student who had suffered a very severe spinal cord injury," says Maraj. "When someone suffers something as traumatic as a spinal cord injury it's really important that they see visible signs of support - and early in the trajectory too - because I believe that helps to lift their spirits to know that they're not alone and there are people who care for them and they're willing to rally for them and support them." So he started the Maraj-a-thon, an eight-hour squash event playing students, faculty and staff in 10-minute games for a $5 donation to the Free2BMe programs for kids and teens with impairment at The Steadward Centre.
This year, however, Maraj is honouring three former students, all of whom have suffered spinal injury: Katy Burgess who was injured six months prior to Tenove, and Brett Babcock who was injured this year while practicing gymnastics. To Maraj, it's not as much about raising funds as it is about "doing something I love for someone we love" that's the real reason he puts himself through this grueling tribute squash marathon, and it's worth every sodden tee-shirt and aching muscle.
"PERCS and The Steadward Centre are fantastic organizers," says Maraj. "They really get behind this and put heart and soul into making it a success." One of the organizers, Caitlin Marchak, VP, Academic for PERCS, says the student organization is a keen supporter. "Terry was a member of PERCS and he's close friends with a lot of us. As soon as Brian started doing this, all the Tenoves got involved and PERCS wanted to be part of it and to support the cause because it's so close to our hearts and means so much to us.
"I work with Brian (in his laboratory); I'm friends with Terry and now with Brett, so it's not even a question: this event has to keep growing and going each and every year," says Marchak. "Each year the event has become bigger and better and it'll continue to do so. It started when these guys got injured, but it's not the end of the road for them - nor for this event.
"We want to continue to support them. This faculty is a family and when something happens to someone in a family everyone rallies together to support them and so we want to also show that we've not forgotten even though they may have recovered and scars have healed we still want to support them."
For Terry Tenove, it's that constant support that's buoyed him through the years since his injury.
"When I first got injured Brian came to the hospital and said he wanted to do something for me. I had been working with the Free2BMe program for a little bit and I really enjoyed those kids. I knew that if we could do something to help them it would be great," he says. "Brian was on board to do that and for this to be the third year to do that is incredible.
"I've noticed that with this injury, a lot of people give a lot of support initially, then they get busy and you don't see them as much. But when you have people that are constantly supporting you like Brian does - you know he'll always be in your corner. He helped me when I was in the hospital and he's still helping me now."
So, I ask: "Brian, is this event going on as long as you do?"
"Yes, ma'am," comes the short answer as he runs back onto the court. "So I've got to stay in shape. These kids are young," he says, casting his eye at his enthusiastic opponent, "and they're so quick."
At the time of writing over $2200 had been donated to the Free2BMe physical activity programs for kids and teens with impairment at The Steadward Centre. Donations are still being accepted. Please go directly to The Steadward Centre where they'll be delighted to receive your contribution, or donate online at www.steadwardcentre.ualberta.ca