More than 800 people tied up their laces for a very special Sunday walk in Hawrelak Park yesterday.
The crowds were there to support the Kids with Cancer Society’s 14th Annual Relay.
Participants either teamed up for the 5x5K Relay run, or took part in the 2.5K Family Fun Walk. After the races, participants were rewarded with lunch and family-fun activities.
Val Figliuzzi, executive director of the Kids With Cancer Society said over the years the event has grown from a fundraiser to a true support activity for families battling a child’s cancer.
“More and more families are coming out here in support of the society and as an acknowledgement of the battle that they are facing,” Figliuzzi said.
More than 50 families living with a sick child participated at the event.
Britton Brinson-McMullen will turn 11 in July. At his young age he has been through a lot, but nothing that kept him from walking at least a part of the 2.5K on his prosthetic leg, having lost his real leg to cancer.
The rest of the time he led the walk, hitching a ride on a golf cart with a megaphone in his hand to cheer on the crowd.
“I want to show other kids with cancer that you can do anything you want,” he said. “If you keep putting your heart to it, you will be able to do it.”
The estimated $100,000 raised through the registration fee and pledges collected by participants will be used to provide programs and services to children with cancer and their families.
