Each year for the last ten years, Denise Bebenek, Founder of Meagan's Walk: Creating a Circle of Hope, has been joined by family, friends and thousands of supporters as they honour the spirit of Mother's Day Weekend by walking from Ontario Place to SickKids. The Walk culminates with each participant joining hands with those standing beside them, creating a complete circle around the hospital and all those inside. This "hug" is a symbol of hope, encouragement and a caring community.

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, more people join Meagan's Walk because they cannot imagine celebrating Mother's Day Weekend any other way. They walk with many who need this "hug" and the support of a community; with families and friends who remember someone they have loved and lost; with doctors and researchers who work tirelessly to find a better way, a cure for those who battle illness.

Last year, Canadian actress, Cynthia Dale, narrated the story of the first ten years of Meagan's Walk. She spoke 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; she also shared some of the 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.

Watching from inside SickKids are the children Meagan's Walk supports. They are watching the proceedings from inside the hospital, high above the street, able to see many people care.