There was no shortage of gold shirts, signs, flags and messages of hope, to be found during Blaze of Hope's Walk for Childhood Cancer on Sept. 9 — even more than last year, said the group’s president Shawn Platt.
While last year's walk drew about 100 participants, the turnout this year was around 150, despite less advertising for the event, he said.
“Seeing that everybody is getting used to us and seeing us all the time just brings more awareness to our cause, and it's awesome,” Platt said.
The nonprofit provides financial assistance to families of hospitalized children with life-threatening medical conditions. CEO Lisa Moore founded the organization in honor of her son Blaze. Born in 1999, Blaze died after he was diagnosed with liver cancer at 7 months old.
Beginning at the Hart’s Landing bait and tackle shop near the base of the John Ringling Causeway, the walk proceeded across the causeway and back, with walkers wearing gold shirts emblazoned with the group's logo and carrying signs and flags, drawing notice from drivers on the bridge.
