Over 200 people came out to support the First Response to Fashion Gala on September 21, 2024.

For over 10 years, Constable Wilson Quan has been volunteering his time and raising funds in support of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapies for first responders.

He was inspired to be an advocate after losing a firefighter friend to suicide and seeing the impact of PTSD on other colleagues and their families.

“Nobody talked about it back then, except the military, but you could see people suffering in silence who were no longer recognizable to their family and friends,” said Wilson. 

“For me, it hit home, and I knew I had to do something.  Sadly, first responders have higher rates of suicide than the general population.  We save lives, but sometimes we’re the ones who need saving.”

Edmonton firefighters and paramedics join police officers for a fashionable frontline.

Wilson came across an article about breakthrough research being done in the Netherlands using a virtual reality system to successfully treat PTSD.  While there were plans to have this system in Canada to rehabilitate soldiers who lost limbs on the frontlines, Wilson wanted to see it expanded to all first responders suffering PTSD.

“We have a crisis on the frontlines of public safety, and first responders can benefit from these new tools for rehabilitation too,” said Wilson, when he met with staff at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and made his proposal.  They were open to the idea but needed the funding and expertise to customize the program for first responders, which would be around $100,000.

After some brainstorming, Wilson and his wife had a unique idea for a fundraiser that would not only highlight this important cause but bring together first responders and potential donors from the community – The First Response to Fashion Gala. 

EPS officers trade their uniforms for the latest fashions from local retailers. 

“The idea of having first responders as fashion models walking the runway was a hit, and the first year of the show in 2015, we raised $20,000 in support of the rehabilitation program.  One of our EPS models was stunned by the cheers and applause he received, and later said backstage, ‘Are they cheering for us?’” Wilson recalled with a laugh.

After several years of fundraising, Wilson’s efforts paid off, and the Heroes in Mind and Research Consortium (HiMARC) was launched at the University of Alberta in 2019. 

The first of its kind in Canada, this innovative intervention program has been highly effective at reducing PTSD symptoms, building resilience, and helping with recovery. 

Through the support of generous donors, this year’s gala raised over $65,000, with more than $300,000 raised in total since the gala events started nine years ago.  The gala has also attracted sponsorships from Lakewood Chevrolet, Sherwood Motorcars, Remax, and the Boardwalk Communities, as well as HiMARC grant funding from the Government of Alberta.

Constable Wilson Quan thanks first responder models backstage at the gala.

Earlier this year, Chief Dale McFee presented Wilson with an EPS commendation for his outstanding work in the community addressing mental health issues for first responders in Alberta.

“For me, it’s the fulfilment of a dream, to create something that benefits first responders and gives them hope,” said Wilson.  “There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I know we can make the future brighter for first responders.”

For more information on the First Response to Fashion, please visit www.FirstFashionPTSD.com.