Edmonton doctor launches inaugural National Resilience Day for Sept. 24
Dr. Allan S. Lycka, once wrongly given six months to live, is asking Canadians to complete one million small acts of support for others facing hardship.
Why it matters
The initiative began in Alberta and has already been proclaimed by 10 Alberta municipalities, encouraging residents to support one another through hardship.
Retired Edmonton physician Dr. Allan S. Lycka is launching the first National Resilience Day on Sept. 24, aiming to inspire one million "Acts of Resilience" across Canada. Lycka, who practised medicine for 30 years before retiring in 2019, said the idea stems from his 2003 ALS diagnosis, when he was told he had about six months to live before the diagnosis was found to be incorrect.
An Act of Resilience could be as simple as checking in on someone, helping a caregiver, recognizing a first responder or calling someone who is struggling, Lycka said, noting resilience is best built with support from others rather than alone.
More than 34 Canadian communities have proclaimed or acknowledged the day, including 10 in Alberta: Bashaw, Beaverlodge, Brooks, Canmore, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Jasper, Red Deer, Spruce Grove and Strathcona County. Brooks was the first municipality nationwide to proclaim the day.
A virtual awards ceremony recognizing stories of resilience will run from 7 to 9 p.m. MST on Sept. 24. Lycka said he expects the initiative to expand in coming months as more communities issue proclamations, and a petition seeking 500 signatures is circulating to bring the day before the House of Commons for consideration as an annual day of recognition, though he does not envision it becoming a statutory holiday.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.