On an unseasonably warm fall weekend this October, families, individuals, and corporate and community groups came together after months of collecting pledges to walk in support of granting wishes for local children with life threatening illnesses.

The Wishmaker Walk for Wishes is a national walk-style event for the entire family which takes place in over 100 cities across Canada and six walks were hosted here in Alberta, including: Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Strathmore, Rocky Mountain House, and Drayton Valley.

Eleven year old Mya and her family served as Parade Marshalls for Calgary’s event, leading participants on a scenic route through Prince’s Island Park. Before birth, Mya’s parents were told she had multi cystic dysplastic kidney. Due to her decreased kidney function, Mya had both kidneys removed, receiving a donated kidney from her Mom. As if that wasn’t enough for this young girl to handle she has also battled liver cancer and is a post transplant diabetic. Despite these hardships, Mya remains a positive and uplifting influence on her family and was honored to be representing all the children whose lives have been touched by the magic of a wish.

At each event, in addition to the walk, participants enjoyed a family focused celebration including lunch, music and plenty of activities for the kids. Best of all, more than $150,000 was raised throughout Alberta in support of granting the most heartfelt wishes of very special children and their families.

Thank you to all the volunteer committees, walkers, donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who helped make the 2011 Wishmaker Walk for Wishes in Alberta a huge success!