#meaganswalk#meaganswalk

1 | May 2017

MEAGAN’S WALK NEWSLETTERMAY 2017

Denise BebenekFounder, Meagan’s Walk

Founder’s Message

On April 10th, Meagan’s Walk hosted an inspiring Crane Ceremony at the Hollywood Theatre in The Hospital for Sick Children. Children from various schools around the GTA brought courage. The experience reflected the original Crane Ceremony held for Meagan.

The youths presented their special hand-made origami

The Crane Ceremony- Messages of Hopecranes to Meagan’s Walk Heroes, who all have been affected by brain tumours.

The gift of the cranes is a gift of hope and support, showing these young Heroes that they are not alone. Music provided by the Brebeuf College Band gently played while the audience circled these incredible young Heroes. Carolyn, age 17, and Amy, mom of Hero Mia, age 2, spoke of their journeys and the support they have received from Meagan’s Walk. Their words offered hope and inspiration.

Both Dr. Bouffet, a paediatric oncologist, who was Meagan’s doctor, and Dr. Christine Dahl, the current Meagan’s Walk Neuro-Oncology Fellow, spoke of exciting new advances in research that have global impact for young people with brain tumours. They spoke of their personal determination to continue working towards better protocols, improved treatments and outcomes for all their patients.

Register Download Team Captain Guide

Download Pledge FormsClick to Register for our

signature 5km Meagan’s Walk.Click to download the Team Captain Guide.

Email info@meaganswalkcom to receive your posters by mail.

Email for Posters

Click to download the pledge forms.

Impact! Funds raised by Meagan’s Walk support paediatric brain tumour research that is changing the course of care for young brain tumour patients throughout the world.

There are 120 types of brain tumours, so the world of research is complex; so too the world of

treatments. And it is through research that answers are found regarding how brain tumours work.

May is brain tumour awareness month. Participating in and supporting the mission of Meagan’s Walk is an effective and rewarding way to help advance the understanding of brain tumours and to improve the wellbeing of all children. Join us! Be part of the Meagan’s Walk community and join hands in our circle of hope!

Jess, Denise, and Nicky with colourful cranes of hope at the ceremony.Photo: Courtesy Etobicoke Guardian

Join Meagan’s Walk on Saturday May 13th, 2017

SIBLINGS ARE HEROES TOO!

#meaganswalk

2 | May 2017

Katriel’s brother Tobin was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was 2, then had a reoccurrence when he was 5, and then another when he was 9. Katriel has never known family life without hospital and doctor’s visits. “You don’t get as much attention as they do but that’s because they need it.” Katriel says, “When we were little we couldn’t play outside because Tobin couldn’t risk getting sick but we played indoors a lot and that was okay. When Tobin would take his medicine, my doll named Liesl would get her medicine too.” Katriel adds that seeing Tobin go through everything has made her a stronger person.

Tobin and Katriel

The diagnosis of a brain tumour affects an entire family including the brothers and sisters of the child diagnosed. Siblings often feel isolated,

fearful and can even experience guilt and jealousy. So what is it like when your sister or brother is diagnosed with a brain tumour? A big thank you to many of our Meagan’s Walk families and especially the super siblings, who

are heroes too, for helping us gain a better understanding.

Jadyn was diagnosed with cancer when she was 5. Brother Austin doesn’t remember a time when Jadyn wasn’t battling cancer. “I’m amazed at how she can do this, go through everything, all the procedures that she has, and still be so upbeat. I’m so lucky to have such a positive sister.” He adds that they have missed out on a few things that normal siblings share. “It would be nice to ride our bikes or go skiing together, but Jadyn can’t do any of those things. But we play video games instead. She is very, very strong.”

Victoria was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just 3 years old. Now 8 and doing well, her little brother Alex wants everyone to know why Meagan’s Walk is so important. “All kids should be able to play with their toys and not be in the hospital.”

Jadyn and Austin Victoria and Alex

in Vancouver. Biking an estimated average of 180 kilometres per day, their route will end at the Atlantic in St. John’s, Newfoundland, during the last week of July.

As departure day draws near, more details and their trip itinerary, showing their trail across this vast country will be available through Meagan’s Walk social media. Nir and Sean will be at their first Meagan’s Walk on Saturday, May 13th, and are looking forward to being part of the “Hug”!

In Support of Meagan’s Walk

#meaganswalk

3 | May 2017

Nir Meltzer and Sean Squires are avid cyclists, and in June, they will embark on the greatest physical and mental challenge of their lives: a cross Canada cycling trip, coast to coast, Vancouver, British Columbia to St. John’s Newfoundland. This venture is named “Bike for Kids”, and will support the mission of Meagan’s Walk: raising hope and awareness about paediatric brain tumours, and funds for ground breaking research. It is also a great salute to Canada, in celebration of our country’s 150th birthday!

The anticipated start date for their ambitious trek is June 3, when Nir and Sean expect to dip the tires of their bikes into the Pacific Ocean, at Kitsilano Beach

Pedal Power! Meet Meagan’s Walk Team

“Bike for Kids”!

Team “Bike for Kids”. Nir and Sean getting ready to ride.

Meagan’s Walk Hero Jack, with Dr. Michal Zapotocky, Meagan’s Walk Neuro Oncology Fellow.

Helping kids around the world!

Why do I pay a registration fee?Meagan’s Walk is a volunteer organization, and every effort is made to keep the expenses for the event down. And a huge team of volunteers helps out the day of the event; businesses donate snacks, and even much of the advertising for the event is free, given by businesses in the community that support the mission of Meagan’s Walk.

Your registration fee helps cover the necessary costs of the event, such as policing, event permits, equipment rentals and more. Donations are not used to cover any of these costs.

Meagan’s Walk is one of the few fundraising initiatives in Canada dedicated to paediatric brain tumour research. Yet brain tumours are the leading cause

of cancer-related death in children.

The 16th Annual Meagan’s Walk is on Saturday, May 13th, and it is not too late to register! This is an event for all ages and abilities, and whether you walk with family members, friends or colleagues, or register by yourself, everyone’s steps count!

Registering online is easy - fast, safe and secure! Simply visit www.meaganswalk.com and click on “Register” near the top of the home page.

Click the “Register for Meagan’s Walk 2017” button. Either “Sign In” or “Create New Account”. And then you can start raising awareness and funds for Meagan’s Walk!

You can find answers to some questions about registration on the Meagan’s Walk FAQ sheet. Your personal participant pages give you lots of options! You can customize your page, say why you participate in Meagan’s Walk and add photos. Don’t forget to set a fundraising goal - inspire your contacts to support you and sponsor yourself too!

Through your own fundraising page you can also send emails to your contacts, inviting them to support you as a participant in Meagan’s Walk. It’s easy to send them a thank you message too. And you can post your fundraising page link to social media - a great way to spread the news about Meagan’s Walk! Donors will receive their receipts for their donations automatically via email from SickKids Foundation.

For those who wish to register offline, you can download a pledge form and start collecting donations. Bring your completed pledge form with donations to Meagan’s Walk on Saturday, May 13th, and head to the registration area. Make sure that all donor information is completed, so that receipts can be issued to your sponsors.

If you have any questions and need help with registrations or your pledges, contact meaganswalk@sickkidsfoundation.com.

#meaganswalk

4 | May 2017

Walk Day Checklist• Ensure you, and everyone on your team, have directions to

Fort York and know where to park. • For larger teams it’s best to designate a meeting place at

Fort York and at SickKids. • Wear layers as the morning can be quite chilly but tends to

warm up as we get ready for our BIG HUG! • Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are welcome but please

no bikes, skateboards or inline skates. • We are eco-friendly, so bring your own water bottle.

At Fort York• Head to the registration tables to hand in any offline

pledges and receive your t-shirt.• Don’t forget to sign the Wall of Honour.• Get your team picture taken on the other side of the Wall of

Honour near the flagpole. • Enjoy free snacks, some fun and new entertainment.

At SickKids• Join us after the HUG on Elizabeth Street for our stage

presentation. • Buses stop returning walkers to Fort York at 1:30 so ensure

you don’t miss your ride.

CONTACT USMeagan’s Walk3273 Boor Street West, Suite 201Toronto, Ontario M8X 1E2416.239.7843info@meaganswalk.com www.meaganswalk.com

Social Media is an integral way that Meagan’s Walk spreadsour message of hope. Follow Meagan’s Walk on TWITTER,FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and FLICKR. Use #meaganswalk so we can follow you right back! DONATE to Meagan’s Walk today.

“Thank you to Meagan’s Walk newsletter volunteers,Debbie Tong and Blair Day.”

Get Involved

Registration