More than 100 students from Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Raphael’s Catholic Elementary Schools filled the Daniels Hollywood Theatre at The Hospital for Sick Children today to present 1,000 traditional Japanese paper cranes to brain tumour survivors and patients.
Each year, the paper crane ceremony marks the launch of Meagan’s Walk. The Walk is held each Mother’s Day and named in memory of Meagan Bebenek, who passed away in 2001 from an inoperable brain tumour.
In Japanese tradition, cranes stand for peace and long life. Three patient ambassadors, who have been treated for a brain tumour, accepted the cranes from the students.
Meagan’s mother and the founder of Meagan’s Walk, Denise Bebenek, spoke to the students to thank them for their symbolic message. “As a mom, there is no greater gift than what this crane ceremony and these cranes represent.”
Dr. Eric Bouffet, a neuro-oncologist at SickKids and the doctor who treated Meagan, stressed that while there have been improvements made in treating childhood cancers, important work still needs to be done. He expressed that donations, spreading the word and an increase in awareness makes all the difference in the world.
To date, Meagan’s Walk has raised $1.7 million for child brain tumour research. With the 9th Annual Meagan’s Walk on May 9, the committee hopes to reach the $2-million mark.
This year’s Walk begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 9 (Mother’s Day) at Ontario Place. The five-kilometre Walk is expected to draw thousands of participants who will make their way through downtown Toronto and head towards SickKids on University Avenue. There, they will create a human chain and surround the Hospital with a human “hug” in a symbol of strength and support for all the children, mothers and families fighting illness at SickKids, across Canada and around the world.
If you are interested in making a donation or taking part in the Walk, please visit the Meagan's Walk website.