Special Events · 2 min read

Hope and Strength: The 2026 Brain Tumour Walk

By Francesca Bonifacio · June 6, 2026

On May 30th 2026, The Brain Tumour Walk took place at Burnaby’s own Swanguard 
Stadium. Many appeared to walk and support their loved ones who survived their battle with brain tumours. The Brain Tumour Walk is held every year by the Brain Tumour Foundation. Every day in Canada, 27 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour. It is important to increase awareness and research about this cause to help treat patients and support them.

The Brain Tumour Foundation is completely donor-funded. We spoke with Myra Ripley,
the Senior Advisor, CEO & Board Relations of the foundation who discussed with us the
importance of being proudly donor-funded. This guarantees the foundation’s autonomy and independence on their advocacy. They wholeheartedly advocate that everyone should have equal access to the same treatment and care for brain tumours, no matter where they live.

At eleven years old, Liam Caballero was crowned the 2026 Vancouver Community
Champion. I got the amazing opportunity to interview Liam. He spoke about his journey with battling his brain tumour. “I was surprised when I was picked at first,” he told me. “But, I’m glad to share my story”. Liam was only four years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He described how difficult the surgery was but also that having amazing doctors and nurses helped him get through it. I asked Liam what keeps him going when the fight gets challenging. He credits his family, friends, classmates and the potential of his future for reminding him to keep on going. His love of writing drives his dream to become an author. One day, he wants to write a book about his journey of living with a brain tumor. As a fellow superhero lover, I had to ask the 2026 Community Champion if he could choose any power, what it would be. “Teleportation because I
want to travel the world,” he said. “And healing, to make the world a better place.”

Seeing the turnout for the Brain Tumour Walk truly inspired me. It showed how much
people care about their friends and family, spending a beautiful Saturday morning expressing their advocacy for brain tumour survivors and pushing for more research to be done. The bandanas, shaped balloons, and t-shirts with names of people who battled brain tumours were physical manifestations of why support, advocacy and community matters. As faith and trust feel like fading beliefs these days, events like these grow more important. As Liam said in his speech: “Look around, this is hope.”
To learn more about brain tumours, go check out the website for more information:
https://www.braintumour.ca/