Saturday May 12, 2012 - Meagan's Walk
Today was the 11th annual Meagan's Walk, supporting Pediatric Brain Tumour Reasearch. For those of you that either have found this blog, or know us personally, you are well aware of this event, however for anyone else, Meagan's Walk is a 5km walk that begins at Ontario Place, and weaves its way through the downtown streets of Toronto, finishing at SickKids Hospital. As walkers arrive at the finsih line, they line the four streets surrounding the hospital, hold hands, and symbolically hug the building. The giant hug is followed up by ceremonial speeches from participating families, sponsors and the founder, Denise Bebenek, and continues with a giant BBQ.
This year, our family walked. We walked for our daughter, for Evie's Team. We walked in support of all the families with children that have been diagnosed with brain tumours, that have lost children diagnosed with brain tumours. We walked alongside forty of our friends and family. Evie's Team grew eight times bigger this year. Evie's Team raised six times more than last year. Evie's Team represented!
When I walked in Meagan's Walk last year, I felt very overwhelmed. It is a very surreal thing, to realize that your connection to this child, whichever child, who is affected by a brain tumour.....is simply one of many. They may be the only one in your life, but they are not alone in this. I guess that can be read in a somewhat negative way, but it's not what I mean. I am not trying to simplify, or take away from how special these little ones are....but I more so want everyone else to realize that it is a far too common thing. Last year, depsite not knowing anyone else at the walk, I finally felt like we were where we belonged. I felt like for once, we were not the outsiders. This year, as I watched Evie's Team hug the hospital, and saw the tears in their eyes, the smiles and sadness on their faces, I felt like maybe they got it. They were the odd ones out, surrounded by people like me. Still belonging, because they all share one thing in common, but still a little like they didnt. Perhaps a little like I have been feeling for the past 19 months.
I'd like to think that all of our team members had a wonderful day, one that they will remember fondly, one that they will realize is helping and changing the future. I had a really great day. I got to look around and see the faces of so many people that love us. I got to meet with our team, combine our efforts and raise a big chunk of cash...$6,055.00!!!! I got to hold hands with my best friends, and look together upon the Hospital in support of all the families within. I got to stand, surrounded by "my people" and remember that we are not alone, at least not today.
