For Will's 14th Birthday on October 20th we once again gave out 14 adorable turtles to help spread some "Walk Like Will" spirit. Thank you to all who wrote to us and let us know how much the turtle meant to them - we hope it brought a little joy into your day. And speaking of joy, one of Will's friends brought us a whole bunch of joy by holding a fundraiser in Will's honor during the month of October. We are so happy to share his letters!
" The choice to live, that is a gift"
2021 Walk and Race for Hope
On Sunday May 2 the National Brain Tumor Society held the first virtual Walk and Race for Hope. The event raised over a million dollars to help cure brain cancer, and Team Walk Like Will raised over $4,500 - way to go Team WLW!! Thank you to everyone who joined, donated, or bought a shirt - it all went to help put an end to brain cancer!
This non-profit is dedicated to curing pediatric cancer by donating 100% of proceeds to fund early-phase research at leading pediatric cancer institutions. Their cookies are made by Pacific Cookie Company, a family-owned bakery in Santa Cruz, CA, and they are big and very, very delicious. Their newest is the Walk Like Will Rainbow Cookie. Send someone a box or treat yourself - they will make anyone very happy :) We have designated all proceeds from Walk Like Will Rainbow cookies go to research on pediatric brain cancer.
We are honored that Park Florist will be selling Open Heart Vases at their store in Takoma Park, Maryland. Thank you so much to owners Jeanne and Dennis Ha for featuring the vases among your gorgeous arrangements - your store is truly spectacular.
The vases pictured here have dried flowers but all vases have a glass insert that can hold a few fresh flowers. All proceeds from the vases will be donated to pediatric brain cancer research.
WLW Calleva Summer Camp Scholarship
Congratulations to Ava and Xavier Gilbert, awarded the first two Walk Like Will Calleva Summer Camp Scholarships! Ava and Xavier both love the outdoors, climbing trees, rock scrambling, and want to learn how to fish and swim. We know they are going to love Calleva!
We are thrilled to partner with Calleva.org in Maryland to offer summer camp scholarships for kids ages 8 – 12. Calleva was Will’s absolute favorite camp, and I know he would be so happy to help other kids delight in nature and the outdoors like he did at Calleva.
The application period for summer 2021 is closed, but we plan to continue this partnership well into the future so please check out https://calleva.org/about/camp-scholarships/ to learn more about Walk Like Will and other scholarship opportunities at Calleva.
On December 12th we held Have a Bao, in honor of one of Will’s favorite foods – bulgogi. Thank you to all who Had a Bao, and also to Jenny, Carly, and Deb, who helped out behind the scenes. From the sale of over 250 homemade bulgogi bao’s we donated over $1,500 to the lilabeanfoundation to help families dealing with the financial impacts of Covid on top of having a child with brain cancer. Our hearts go out to these families.
Will's 13th birthday on October 20th was obviously very hard, but our friends and family made it a little easier by chalking our street with birthday wishes and lining our walkway with 13 candles at night. Thank you all so much - it means the world to us. We also had our own tribute by giving 13 of his friends Walk Like Will turtles that they could give to someone in need of a little "Will" spirit! See the turtles and where they ended up!