On Sunday, May 8th, 2011, Denise Bebenek, Founder of Meagan's Walk: Creating a Circle of Hope, with family, friends and thousands supporters, participated in the 10th Annual Meagan's Walk. It was a wonderful way to honour the spirit of Mother's Day and, once again, to create the circle of hope around SickKids. One hand joining another, Meagan's Walk culminates with this "hug"- a symbol of hope, encouragement and a caring community.

Ten years! There is much to celebrate! Over these ten years, the "hug" has grown substantially. In 2002 an estimated 800 participants endured torrential rain and chilly temperatures and, stretched fingertip to fingertip to make that first "hug" around SickKids. It was exhausting and yet so gratifying to have the vision of the "circle of hope" become reality!

Year after year, many choose to be part of Meagan's Walk - they cannot imagine celebrating Mother's Day without Meagan's Walk! And together we walk with many who need this "hug" and the support of a community; with families and friends who remember someone they love and have lost; with doctors and researchers who work tirelessly to find a better way, a cure for those who battle illness.

This year, following the hug around SickKids, many Meagan's Walk participants gathered for the closing ceremony at the Elizabeth Street entrance to SickKids. Some young patients watched the proceedings from high above the street and from within the hospital walls.

Canadian actress, Cynthia Dale, narrated the story of the first ten years of Meagan's Walk. This narration included profiles of youngsters and their families who are part of the fabric of Meagan's Walk; a tableau representing the dynamic support of the healthy children in our school communities who reach out and celebrate their classmates who struggle with illness; and, as well, the narration touched on some major discoveries in the world of research that have had significant impact on the understanding of principles of brain tumours and how they work, and what significance these discoveries have on the care and treatment of our children.