It's a chilly Saturday morning, the sun is shining, the sky is crystal clear blue, and at least 700 people are outside, braving the cold, and knowing they are participating in something special. It's the first annual CureSearch walk for childhood cancer in Wilmington, DE. And we're walking, only a mile but that's not the point, to raise awareness and to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Why? For the families, like our friends, who lost a child way too early in life and don't want to have to see other families go through what they did. And for the children who are surviving cancer, or getting treatments now - surely there's got to be better options out there for them. Somewhere, there must be a CURE.
It is a most impressive sight, all these people on the Riverwalk in Wilmington, sporting their bandanas that show their relationship to a child with cancer. And it's a moving opening ceremony, with familes of children who are no longer with us, going up to the stage to say their child's name, and then releasing a gold balloon for each child lost. And a happier sight to see children who are currently in treatment, or in recovery, coming up to the stage to be recognized, and then leading the group, 700 strong, on a walk to raise awareness.
Whether we are raising awareness to the greater Wilminton area this morning or not, I am not sure. Someone is seeing the billions of people out here and wondering what they are doing, right? I do know that we have raised over $75,000 this day to go toward research for childhood cancer. And that's a good start.
Christie and part of the Red Army contingency, ready to walk
Papa and Anatoly out for a stroll
3/4 of the Red Army, and Papa
Surely you can't go to a walk without playing on the playground after!
No comments:
Post a Comment