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Your Favorite Part of the Walk: There are few places in this world where you are surrounded by so many kids like Emerson with such amazing strength and hope.

Anything Else?: This is one of our favorite days of the year. It is emotional, inspirational and a testament to the wonderful community that identifies with Hope & Heroes. We can’t wait to see you there.

Your Motivation: I learned about the Walk from my friend, Katie Leiby, who is the Events & Outreach Manager at Hope & Heroes. Through her I came as a volunteer in 2011 and I’ve been hooked ever since!

Your Favorite Part of the Walk: Cheering on the kids as they finish the walk. It is incredibly special to witness how proud they are to have accomplished this feat. Their faces light up and you know in that instance everything they deal with day to day is gone. The only thing on their mind is crossing the finish line to the cheers and hugs of all the family and friends there to support them - how can you beat that?

Anything Else?: It is one of my favorite days of the year. To help out, even if it's for a small amount of time, goes a long way.

Name: Karen Capucilli Where You Live: New York City What You Do: Stay at home Mom to Hannah and Noah, volunteer, photographer and future blogger. How You Walk The Walk:  I am Co-Captain of Team Jacob along with my husband, Jeremy Shatan.

How Long Have You Walked?: I have been involved from the very beginning of this event.

Your Motivation: Jeremy has worked at Hope & Heroes for several years. We lost our eldest child Jacob to pediatric cancer in 1999 and this Walk is a beautiful and positive way of honoring him. It feels wonderful to raise funds and awareness in order to help children and families.

Your Favorite Part of the Walk: I love the fact that volunteers are stationed at key points cheering people on. That makes all of the members of Team Jacob feel special!

Anything Else?: This year, Jeremy and I made the Granny Smith apple the symbol of Team Jacob. It reminds us so much of him because he loved eating these tart apples and also noticing apples all over NYC. We plan to use a different symbol every year.

How Long Have You Walked?: JON & GENIE: This will be our 3rd year volunteering. JANE: This will be my 2nd.

Your Motivation: JANE, JON & GENIE: A few years ago we were looking to raise money for a triathlon we were running in. Jon came across Hope & Heroes and the rest is history!

Your Favorite Part of the Walk:  JANE: The touching and inspirational speeches. I also loved everyone cheering all of the participants on at the finish line. JON: The cause and the people that work at Hope & Heroes. GENIE: My favorite part is when the walk is over and everyone's family and friends hang around to have a picnic, or take photos, run around and laugh, or simply just enjoy themselves with each other's company.

Anything Else?: JANE: Last year was my first time volunteering at the walk, and I was blown away by the joint enthusiasm and teamwork for the H&H cause. I'm really looking forward to this year's walk! JON: The passion from those at Hope & Heroes is what keeps me inspired to continue our support to finding a cure. GENIE: This is one of my favorite events that I really look forward to all year, and it is because of all the great people who are a part of H&H!

Your Favorite Part of the Walk: Seeing the unity among all participants during this difficult time when you think you are alone.

 Anything Else?: Keep up the hard work until we find the cure for these HEROES! 

Name: Leyla Ahmadi-Motlagh Where You Live: New York City What You Do: RN, Nurse Manager at Park Avenue Pediatrics How You Walk The Walk: Team Captain - Team Wubbie! How Long Have You Walked?: Since it started! Your Motivation: I've been involved with Hope & Heroes since it first started. My best friend was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma our freshman year of high school and her parents are on the board of H&H so I've always been a part of it. The first annual dinner was in our hometown.

Your Favorite Part of the Walk: I love seeing the kids who are either survivors or currently undergoing treatment. It reminds me of why we do this and what it's all for. 

Anything Else?: Keep up the good work! We have come such a long way since H&H first started! As a pediatric nurse and a friend of a pediatric cancer survivor I've seen firsthand where our fundraising efforts go and I couldn't be more proud to be a part of this organization.

Name: T.J. Marsé Where You Live: New York City What You Do: Advertising How You Walk The Walk: Member of the Silver Cloud Team How Long Have You Walked: This is the second year as SLS only began this particular collaboration last year.  Your Motivation: I have been involved with Hope & Heroes for seven years as a founding member and Director of Publicity for the Silver Lining Society. Your Favorite Part of the Walk: Getting people from all "walks" ;) of life together for a great cause.

Anything Else?: As there are many ways to get involved we ask you to do just that!

Name: Julie Marie Pearson Where You Live: New York, New York What You Do: Taking classes to go to medical school as a post-bac, pre-med student at Columbia University How You Walk The Walk: Team Captain/Walker for Team Tommy and Volunteer! :) How Long Have You Walked: Since the start, going on 4 years Your Motivation: My family has been involved with Hope & Heroes since my brother, Tommy, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I got involved with the organization and walk as a result of that connection.

Your Favorite Part of the Walk: I truly love everything about the walk, but my favorite part is the finish line where volunteers cheer for the walkers. The enthusiasm for the event and our alliance against childhood cancer really shines at that moment to me.

Anything Else?: I'd like to thank the H&H/Walk community for all of their hard work in making this event so successful. By participating in this event you are giving hope to children and their families, and that is truly admirable.

Your Favorite Part of the Walk: The walk is a special day for our family and friends because it reminds us to celebrate life. For us, our favorite parts of the walk are the community aspects beforehand and the big picnic our team has at the end. 

Anything Else?: We are so grateful to Hope & Heroes for the support we received when Xander was in treatment. We've seen firsthand how significantly H&H impacts the lives of families affected by pediatric cancer,  and are happy to pay it back in any way we can!

Name: Janice Grimaldi Where You Live: Staten Island, NY What You Do: Stay at home mom with 3 boys, ages 13, 9 and 5. How You Walk The Walk: This is my 3rd year as Team Captain for Team Sienna! How Long Have You Walked: I have been a part of this AMAZING event for the past 4 years- since it started! Your Motivation: I was initially involved with the Walk in loving memory of my best friend, Patty Cavallo’s, daughter, Sienna. Sienna suffered from osteosarcoma before losing her battle at the age of 9 in 2008. Your Favorite Part of the Walk: My favorite part is the unity. The reason why we are all there together as one big family all for one reason and one reason only…help find a cure! The day is simply amazing from start to finish.

Anything Else?: I’d like to personally thank Hope & Heroes for always being there for me with ANY questions, concerns, opinion and just their commitment alone. They always do a great job and all should be very proud. I’m honored to have gotten to know most of you and consider you family! xxoo