Hundreds of students, parents, and community members gathered on May 22 for the 17th annual Kendra's Walk at St, John's-Ravenscourt School.
In 2009, three years after being diagnosed with an uncommon form of bone cancer, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, Kendra McBain planned the first Kendra's Walk fundraiser. Her mission was to create a comfortable space for teens with cancer.
Since its creation, Kendra's Walk has raised over $1,000,000, with over $160,000 in its first year and $32,000 additionally raised this year. "Kendra's legacy was one of optimism, compassion, and coming together for a shared mission," said Annika, a student organizer of Kendra's Walk. "It is a community-driven organization."
Seeing every generation gathering is inspiring for Annika. "The special part is everyone coming together, teenagers, adults, and everyone alike, to fight for the same mission, which is to help teens battling cancer. Just encouraging everyone, when you have a mission, you want to accomplish, come together as a community over shared values and continue to spread Kendra's word and her mission."
Another student organizer, Ella, encourages Winnipeggers to get involved. "We encourage everybody to try to do their own walk, wear purple, Kendra's favourite colour."
Donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba here.