SPRING FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Coming Together At Walk With A Friend

On the warm, breezy morning of Saturday, April 15th, hundreds of people gathered for one purpose: to remember, honor, and support pediatric cancer patients, their families and caregivers, their doctors and nurses, and all the kind people who help support Friends of Kids with Cancer at the 23rd Annual Walk with a Friend.

Excitement blew through the beautiful lakefront of Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park as families and businesses came together for popcorn, snow cones, bounce houses, and games. Kids skipped and played with painted faces as the adults assembled to either walk the 1-mile or run the 5K.

The Maryland Heights fire department and Fredbird rang a bell to start runners as they got set, and zoomed down the path, dressed in their Walk with a Friend blue tees.

Families and businesses then gathered to start the 1-mile walk. While some excitement still permeated, there was a distinct calm as families held hands, held signs, and held honor and remembrance of their loved ones.

Many families walk in memory of children and loved ones who are no longer with us. Other families honor the struggles that come with a cancer diagnosis. All who walked celebrated the lives of children and adults alike who are affected by cancer — honoring the strength, courage, love, and care that can only come from the personal and collective struggle of these special kids and families.

After the run and walk, guests enjoyed visits by favorite Disney princesses, and local mascot favorites like the SLU Billiken. Local vendors like Juan Tacos, MoRado Cones, Dogtopia Four Seasons - Chesterfield, HealthSource chiropractor, and Adamo Amore allowed guests to eat lunch, get a massage, or shop in the Vendor Village. friends from Hart of the City Photo booth donated beautiful photos for all to remember.

Many sponsor teams were seen in groups large and small, some who have been participating throughout the years like Midwest Elevator, Image Label Corporation, and Protiviti.

Free breakfast items like coffee, fruit, breakfast pastries, and more were available, thanks to Russo’s Gourmet Catering, Nourish Food Solutions, Walnut Grill, and other kind donors.

By the end of the morning, with a storm looming close, thanks to Friends’ wonderful volunteers, the event was quickly packed up just in time to stay dry. ▪