Story Posted: 2022-12-13
Hosting bingo at the St. Paul’s Hospital and community dialysis units
By Tinaya Entz
At the end of September, the SPH in-center and community dialysis units filled with music as patients played Truth and Reconciliation Music Bingo. In honour of National TRC Day and Orange Shirt day on September 30, patients were invited to play bingo that featured the musical works of First Nations, Metis and Inuit artists. Winners got to choose from a full cart of prizes from Indigenous-owned businesses in Saskatoon like Nikihk and His Bead Store.
This event was the fourth iteration of music bingo on the dialysis units. The event began in December 2021 as a response to the lack of Christmas festivities in the hospital due to Covid-19. Music therapist, Tinaya Entz, created a playlist and corresponding bingo card filled with favourite holiday songs, new and old. Over the course of 4 days, every patient receiving dialysis was invited to participate (that’s a lot of people)! It was such a huge hit that many asked that the event become a regular occurrence.
Since then, I have had the pleasure of hosting St. Patrick’s Day Music Bingo, Songs of Summer Bingo and most recently, TRC Music Bingo. The community has gotten on board as well, with businesses like Long & McQuade, Boryski’s Butcher, Early’s Farm and Garden, Dutch Growers and many others generously donating prizes.
When the bingo cart rolls onto the unit, the excitement in the air is palpable. Patients, families and staff alike frequently ask when the next game is going to be. And the exciting thing is that music bingo isn’t going anywhere any time soon. A recent In-Hospital Program Assistance Award from the SPH Foundation has ensured that there will be much more bingo to come!
Originally published in the Lifeline, the St. Paul’s Hospital staff newsletter.