Hope, Healing, and HUGs: A Look Inside Meagan’s Walk & HUG 2025

On May 10th, hundreds of families, friends, survivors, and supporters gathered in downtown Toronto for the 24th annual Meagan’s Walk & HUG event, a powerful tradition bringing hope and love to children facing brain tumours. 

Participants walked 5 km from Hotel X to the Hospital for Sick Children, where they joined hands to form a massive human hug around the hospital — a symbolic embrace reminding patients and families inside that they are not alone. 

This year’s event was especially moving thanks to the story of one little boy: Massimo. 

Below is the beautiful speech delivered by his mother, Amanda​,​ who ​was ​joined by her husband Patrick, and MBF Hero Massimo​, ​ who captured the hearts of everyone present: 

Transcript of Speech at Meagan’s Walk & HUG 2025 – May 10, 2025 

My son, Massimo, turns 1 year old in 2 weeks. 

When he was born, as parents do, I dreamed of all the activities I wanted to do with him during my maternity leave. Simple things, like go on a picnic, take swimming lessons, have play dates with other kids, and celebrate his first Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families. 

​​But things didn’t turn out that way. ​​​ 

Instead, my husband and I have spent the past 8 months not knowing whether our son would make it to his 1st birthday. 

At just four months old, Massimo was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a cancerous and aggressive brain tumour. ​​Massimo’s tumour was inoperable, and by the time we found out, the cancer was spreading quickly throughout his brain and head. 

The neurosurgery team at SickKids had said they had never seen a tumour quite in the same location as Massimo’s. 

If this were just 5 years ago, ​Massimo​​ would have been given a lot more treatment including multiple bone marrow transplants and other toxic therapies. He would have been given the most aggressive chemo protocol, which would have significantly impacted his physical and mental development.​ He would not have had a normal life, if he even survived treatment. ​ 

The only way that Massimo was going to survive and go on to live a healthy life after treatment was through a personalized chemotherapy treatment that would shrink the tumour and remove the cancer. 

Needless to say, we didn’t go on our picnics. Massimo hasn’t started his swimming lessons. He’s never even played with another kid his age. 

Massimo spent his first Thanksgiving getting a second craniotomy, and his first Christmas in isolation, sick, at the hospital. To this day, he has spent about half his life at SickKids — as much time there as he’s had at home. 

But Massimo just finished his chemo treatment and is coming back home, ​for good.​ 

Massimo just underwent an MRI on Thursday to find out whether his treatment worked. We just found out those results yesterday. 

It brings Patrick and me immense joy and gratitude to share with you that ​his treatment worked! The​ tumour is gone, as is the cancer. 

Massimo’s story is made possible by the research funded by Meagan Bebenek Foundation. 

Dr. Ramaswamy has been Massimo’s primary oncologist. He won’t say it but I will — he’s one of the world’s leading medulloblastoma experts. He and his team are at the forefront of saving children like Massimo here in Canada and abroad. We thank God that Dr. Ramaswamy chose to stay in Canada to do his research, and that he came into our lives. 

​​The Foundation’s​​ funding of Dr. Ramaswamy’s research was central to Massimo’s personalized treatment plan. 

This research, funded by people like you, has not only saved Massimo’s life…it has also saved his quality of life. 

Massimo is not just found to survive — he’s going to thrive. I know it won’t be long before we can say Massimo is in remission​.

There is no greater gift a parent can ask for than the health and happiness of their child. 

​​Massimo is going to make it to his first birthday.​ ​​We’re throwing a big Mickey Mouse picnic-themed party with our friends and family. 

And based on everything we’ve been told, Massimo is going to ​go on to​​     ​live a full​, healthy​ life​.

To our medical team, our family, friends, Denise, ​the entire Foundation team​, and everyone here both inside and outside of the hospital​, you give us hope. Your support, your fundraising, your prayers, your care, give us hope. And you give hope to so many other children and families still fighting their battle. 

To cap things off, I’m hoping you will join me in a ritual I do with Massimo each morning. We call them his daily ​affirmations​​     ​.

Everyone, repeat after me: 

I am Massimo.

 I am strong. 

I am brave. 

I am kind. 

I am healthy. 

I am important. 

I am loved. 

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 

Why This Matters 

Massimo’s story is just one of many that highlight why Meagan’s Walk & HUG is more than an event — it’s a lifeline. Every dollar raised supports critical research, providing children with brain tumours access to the most advanced treatments and the best possible outcomes. 

Together, as a community, we are helping children not only survive but thrive. 

If you’d like to get involved, donate, or learn more about upcoming events, visit meaganbebenekfoundation.org 

Thank you for being part of this incredible circle of hope.