For Denise Bebenek, Mother’s Day isn’t about getting pampered, breakfast in bed or homemade cards. She marks the day each year with a walk in memory of her youngest child Meagan.

This year on May 9, more than 3,000 people joined Denise on her walk, which has become known across the Greater Toronto Area as Meagan’s Walk: Creating a Circle of Hope. Together, they helped Meagan’s Walk hit the $2 million mark.

Meagan passed away just after her fifth birthday from an inoperable brain tumour. Meagan’s Walk honours Meagan’s memory, as well as promotes awareness and raises funds for research into paediatric brain tumours. Her two siblings, Sarah Grace and Matthew, also took part in the walk.

Sponsored by Swarovski, the annual walk starts at Ontario Place and ends with participants joining hands and forming a human ‘hug’ around The Hospital for Sick Children. Patients and families inside the Hospital line the windows to wave at the walkers and accept the hug.

“Every year, the walk and hug bring a powerful message of hope for the people who participate, the many volunteers and the children and families,” Denise said. ‘The hope that was behind the first Meagan’s Walk has now created a legacy for children with cancer, their families and the community.”

To date, the funds raised from Meagan’s Walk have gone towards more than 24 projects.

To learn more on Meagan’s Walk please visit the website or read an in-depth article in this year’s Toronto Star special section on SickKids.