Despite the steady rain on Saturday, spirits were high at A.D. Penner Park in Steinbach as hundreds gathered for the annual Walk for Hope. The event, hosted by Southeast Cancer Support Services, brought together 21 teams, dozens of first-time walkers, and families who walked in memory of loved ones. Becky’s Crew honours loved one For one group, the walk carried very personal meaning. Becky’s Crew, named in memory of Becky Hiebert, filled the park with light blue shirts, balloons, and stories of a woman remembered for her laughter, kindness, and faith. “We decided to do the Walk for Hope today because of a wonderful lady who is being missed tremendously, which is Becky,” said her sister-in-law, Marge Trapp. “We decided to walk for her, on behalf of her. And it didn’t take much for us to get people involved from the family to do this cause.” Becky's husband, John Hiebert, recalled her selflessness. “When Becky was still alive, in the hospital one day when the nurse was there, Becky apologized to the nurse that the nurse had to spend time with her because she figured they should spend time with someone else. That’s the type of person Becky was.” Other family members echoed the same message. Ruth Hiebert said, “Becky touched every life of anybody that met her… we miss her tremendously.” Walking in the rain for a greater cause Even as the weather tried to dampen the day, the turnout remained strong. The rain was already coming down before the walk started. However, Ruth said it would not stop them from honouring this woman who made such an impact on them, “Cancer doesn’t stop, so we won’t either.” It was clear early on that the wet conditions would not stop people from participating in the Walk for Hope. “There's lots of rain, and lots of people. Nobody is backing out of it,” said Marge Trapp, noting that the atmosphere was filled with balloons, laughter, and memories. Cindi Rempel Patrick, executive director of Southeast Cancer Support Services, said 95 per cent of registered walkers still came out despite the downpour, joined by over 60 people who signed up on the spot. “When people go on a cancer journey, the challenges and the barriers they face are much greater than walking for a few hours in the rain,” she said. “These walkers want to show that resiliency, that courage, that determination that cancer patients have.” Supporting patients directly Unlike national fundraisers, Rempel Patrick explained that all money raised stays in Manitoba. Funds support transportation, parking, accommodations, childcare, and other expenses that pile up quickly after a cancer diagnosis. “The money raised today is going to say, we have that money here for you. If you get a cancer diagnosis tomorrow, we can help you,” she said. Community support was also on full display, with businesses, local leaders, and volunteers contributing food, entertainment, and time. Even a five-year-old named Chloe raised more than $700 with a lemonade stand for her uncle facing brain cancer. Rempel Patrick said the Walk for Hope highlights how deeply cancer touches every family in the region. “It absolutely demonstrated that cancer is not fought alone,” she said. “The response was way higher than we expected, and rightly so, because cancer resonates with every single family.” -With files from Corny Rempel.