On June 4, Student Council will sponsor the eighth annual Walk-A-Thon, a community event which was initiated in loving memory of Talia Cohen, a former MHS student who tragically passed away from Wilm’s tumor. The disease is an extremely rare form of kidney cancer that occurs in children and young adults. The event was started to honor her and her family and to support further research of the disease.

Though Talia passed away several years ago, the event continues to run today due to the outpouring of support for the cause. The Walk-A-Thon is widely successful because community members and alumni, along with current MHS students and faculty, are invited to attend.

All proceeds are sent to the Hope for Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund, where research on Wilm’s tumor is taking place. Talia’s physician, Dr. Darrell Yamashiro, of Columbia University Medical Center, is affiliated with the cause. Most of the proceeds go toward studies in his lab.

            The Walk-A-Thon, despite its origin, is an enjoyable and relaxing event. Last year, it took place on the football field. Chairs and flags of every color sectioned off some areas to create a walking track, as the event is essentially meant for walking. Student Council is considering the possibility of having students get sponsored to walk this year.             

A selection of MHS bands, teacher bands and, as always, Rueben Chess of Quintus will perform. Student Council is hoping that math teacher James Zervas will play again with his band this year, as the group was a hit last year.

            Student Council members bake brilliant cakes of all shapes and colors for the cake walk. The food options will be more innovative this year, as Harrison Frank ’10, the head of the food committee, said, “I’m going to pull all my tricks out for this one.”

            In the past, the raffle has featured prizes from more than 40 supportive stores from the Larchmont-Mamaroneck area. Last year, a free haircut, dinner for two and iTunes gift card were just a few of the prizes.

            The color of the Walk-A-Thon t-shirt has always been a big deal and this year it is up to the members of the t-shirt committee, Emily Straus ’10, Megan McEvily ’10 and Jessica Gardiner ’12, to decide. In the past two years, the shirt colors were purple and orange.

            A new addition to the Walk-A-Thon this year will be a tie-dying station.

            In the midst of all the commotion surrounding the Walk-A-Thon, it is necessary to remember why the event exists in the first place. The communications committee puts together a poignant slide show of Talia’s life, and it airs on MHS Info in weeks leading up to the event.

            “We try not to have people forget whom this event is in memory of,” said Student Council Vice President of Philanthropy, Liza Strauss ’11.