(Updated 7 p.m., Apr. 26)
East end mom organizes walk for Mother’s Day
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Meagan Bebenek was only four years old when she was diagnosed with Brain Stem Glioma, a rare form of cancer that is often inoperable. After a six month struggle she passed away on June 17, 2001.

In memory of her daughter, Meagan’s mother Denise organized a 5km walk the following Mother’s Day around the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto to help raise money for Brain Stem Glioma research. That first year over 900 participants took part in Meagan’s Walk, raising more than $90,000 in the process.

In 2003, the figures increased to over 1100 people and more than $100,000. Last year, more than 1800 people took part raising close to $180,000.

Tracy Gusdal first learned about Meagan through her aunt who was the principal at Meagan’s school in Toronto.

“She used to send me updates all the time and tell me what an amazing little girl she was,” says Gusdal whose organizing a Meagan’s Walk in Orléans.

The mother of two young boys age nine and 10, met Denise Bebenek through her aunt last fall.

“We talked about Meagan and the walk and she said that she wanted to hold one in Ottawa, but she needed someone to be there for her because she had to be in Toronto,” recalls Gusdal.

To make a long story short, she agreed to help out.

“Meagan’s story touched me so much and Denise was so inspirational, I would have done anything for her,” says Gusdal.

The first Meagan’s Walk in Orléans will be held at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic School on St. Georges Street in Queenswood Heights. Registration will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Mother’s Day with the walk scheduled to start at 10 a.m. sharp.

Anyone interested in participating can get a registration/ pledge form from Tracy by calling her at 834-2925 or e-mail spawntracy@hotmail.com. Registration and pledge froms can also be downloaded at www.meaganswalk.com. Getting sponsors is optional as are individual donations.

“People can donate whatever they want. Denise didn’t want people to feel they had to make a donattion in order to take part in the walk,” explains Gusdal. “So we're basically leaving it up to the individual.”

Twenty-five per cent of the net proceeds will go to the CHEO cancer unit, while the remainder will go to help fund pediatric brain tumour research.

Each registered participant will receive a free Meagan’s Walk T-shirt. Beverages and snacks will be available during the event as well.

For more information about Meagan’s incredible story visit www.meaganswalk.com.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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