December 2017

Denise Bebenek • December 18, 2017

The theme for this year’s Meagan’s Walk is: Together We Hug. When planning the first Meagan’s Walk and Hug in 2002, that devoted team of pioneer volunteers wanted to do something that had not been done before. How to rally enough people and “hug” an enormous hospital? “No one does that. “ Such a gesture- the “hug”- was impractical, if not impossible! How does one hug a building the size of a city block? And why? Despite all the doubts and concern, that first hug happened. The will of a “community” made it happen.

Families affected by brain tumours face painful challenges and difficulty. Knowing you are not alone, that someone else understands your experience, can make the road less lonely. For many of us, the holiday season can be especially difficult. All those cheery messages at this time of year may sound hollow, as we deal with the daily reality of our lives.

In 2018, our family will participate in the 17th Annual Meagan’s Walk. Just like that first year, we ask others to walk with us. And years later, we continue to plan, and the Meagan’s Walk message of hope and love prevails. The thread that runs through Meagan’s Walk is “togetherness”; the hug simply could not happen without each of us and our decision to join forces, hand in hand.Together, we will hug.

I send to all of you my thanks for your determined and generous support, and my warmest wishes for the holiday.


View the newsletter here .

Newsletter July 2020

July 21, 2020
Thanks to you, this year’s Together We Virtually Hug campaign reached and passed the $100,000 mark in June. Let’s celebrate this milestone together!

May 2020

By Denise Bebenek • May 3, 2020
Learn about the Meagan's Walk Virtual Hug on May 9 in the newsletter.

February 2020

By Denise Bebenek • April 28, 2020
Brandon's journey began January 9th, 2008, my day of diagnosis, and can be summed up in one phrase, “learning how to walk again.” Due to the location of my tumour, coordination and walking were my most prominent symptoms. Before my diagnosis, my quality of life had declined so drastically that I began to think my parents did not love me anymore. So much so, that when I was diagnosed, I remember feeling relief that a lot of the things I was going through were not my fault.

December 2019

By Denise Bebenek • January 22, 2020
Together, over the past 18 years, we’ve raised more than $5.7 million to support paediatric brain tumour research and treatment — a powerful achievement! This success is due to you.There is more to accomplish in 2020, and to do that, we need your help to cover our operating costs.

Summer 2019

By Denise Bebenek • November 7, 2019
Summer is finally here with steamy heat and thunderstorms. Yet the cool morning of the 18th Annual Meagan’s Walk and Hug is only a short while ago. Your support and presence reflect my first vision of Meagan’s Walk: a hug that would draw in people from all walks of life, with diverse talents and ages, from near and far. Many of us return year after year, joining hands in our circle of hope. Determined to continue making a difference. Always, new Meagan’s Walk family are welcomed. Sometimes we have no choice regarding what is happening in our lives. Though many participate in Meagan’s Walk with heavy burdens, we put a halt to the distractions of the outside world, and that is a choice we make: to be present and with each other. We walk side by side, and we can only move forward to make a difference. Thank you for your steadfast support and generous spirit. I hope that summertime brings some relaxation and change of pace. And I look forward to seeing you in 2020 at the next Meagan’s Walk and Hug. Together we are stronger. Together we HUG! View the newsletter here
Show More