MS Walk 2012

On Sunday April 29th, Kevin's Heroes laced up for the 8th year in a row, to participate in the Tri-Cities Scotiabank MS Walk. This year was unlike any other - it was great in so many ways! First off, it didn't rain!!!! I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to walk 5 km without being cold, wet and 'squishy'. We had 13 walkers this year, including Athena the puppy and Brandon, our not-quite the youngest participant ever (that title still resides with Bradyn, for doing her first walk at 8 weeks old).

Here is the official 2012 Kevin's Heroes team:
Brittany, Brandon & Bobbi, Dallas & Ita, Anna, Claudia, Ismael, Pablo & Athena and, of course, Bradyn and I. (we missed Bill at the beginning of the walk, but he caught up to us half-way through)
This year, the shirts we earned for our fund-raising efforts were designed for you to write right on the shirt. Since I picked ours up the day before, Bradyn had lots of time to customize her shirt and make it special. Her design included 2 flowers - the big one for Daddy, and the little one for her. I just love this picture - she looks so happy!

Not sure why Mommy is underneath Bradyn and Daddy, with her head tilted at a very awkward angle, but still cute nonetheless.

Bradyn's new best friend, Brandon. For most of the walk, Bradyn cemented herself by Brandon's side - just wait and see for yourself.

For the first time in many years, I actually got ahead of the crowd as we started the walk, so I could get our team's faces, not backs. Notice Bradyn's hand, glued to the bag hook on Brandon's stroller...

Unfortunately, Dallas and Ita took off like shots out of a cannon at the start of the walk, but here is the rest of Kevin's Heroes, starting off at a good pace.

Without the rain, it was actually fun to stop for photo ops along the way...

Not letting go, even during a water break.

Definitely the cutest team member this year.

Just as we were approaching the half-way point, Dallas & Ita were already motoring their way back towards the finish line. I do have to say though, we made pretty good time considering there were a lot of short legs in our group. I think it took us 75 minutes to walk the 5 km.

Almost there....

Our team was honoured with not one, but TWO titles this year. Dallas was awarded Top Individual Fundraiser for raising $3,030 in pledges. Kevin's Heroes was named the Top Fundraising Team for our total of $6,305. Yes, that's right folks..... WE DID IT!!!!!! We blew past our highest annual total to date. Overall, the Tri Cities walk raised $37,629 for MS research, which means Kevin's Heroes raised almost 17% of that. I am so proud of us. Unfortunately, we have really set the bar high now!

For whatever reason, Bradyn just absolutely would not believe me when I told her our team was #1. Since she is only starting to read, showing her the certificate didn't help much. To be honest, there was no way of changing her mind at that moment anyway - she was so mad because she thought I was lying (very strange, but cute).

Although Kevin had to work this year, he was able to stop by Rocky Point for some photos with us. I can't tell you how happy I was to actually get him on-site this year. Do I dare dream that maybe next year he'll walk with us?

Reeves family photo (not sure what was up with Bradyn needing to be a T-Rex at that particular moment).

Our annual walk and brunch would not have been complete without Jane & Glenn's help on the brunch end of things. Everything was yummy!

Kevin, Bradyn and I want to thank everyone for all of your love and support. Not just with the walk and our fund-raising efforts, but in helping us navigate our way through this disease. We couldn't do it without you.