Manulife Walk for Memories 2011 at the Allen Lambert Galleria was absolutely wonderful. Over 900 Walkers raised an unbelievable $600,000, far exceeding our $500,000 goal. About 1200 Walkers, family, friends and volunteers came out to remember and honour family and friends who have been touched by Alzheimer’s. (Just look at the photos to get a real flavour of the event.)

The morning kicked off with music from the stage, and performances from Cadence, Greg Wyard and Elvis (Kevin Mills) who thrilled and delighted the audience. On the ground stilt walker Top Hat, ET the Mime, Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe, were busy schmoozing with everyone. Jesse Marvis, Elaine Charal and Kristina Rembalski worked overtime to give everyone tattoos, analyse Walker’s handwriting and predict the future. As always our dear friend, Barry Lew from Timothy’s kept the coffee brewing while the food, thanks to many generous merchants was both varied and plentiful.

While waiting for the opening ceremonies to start many people took a moment to honour and remember family members with Alzheimer’s, by posting photos and stories on the Manulife Wall of Memories.

Dr. Brian Goldman, of CBC’s White Coat, Black Art, was our fabulous MC this year and he took to the stage at 10 am welcoming Mayor Rob Ford, who brought support and greetings from the City of Toronto. We were pleased to be able to honour loyal Walkers Sheila Girvan and Trynie de Vries, who have walked almost every year since 1991 and we hope that they'll join us again next year.

Michael Ignatieff and Donna Cansfield led the yellow shoelace-tying ceremony to kick things off, and the warm-up was directed by Liz Smith. Stilt walker Top Hat cheered everybody on as participants entered the PATH and the Walk began. Throughout the route, Greg and Nick Wyard, Sandra Fann, Christina Doyle, Kalen, Elmer Ferrer and Joaquin Nunez, Alley Cats, InfraRed Calypso Band, Jonathan Lee, Mark Kersey and Alexander “Batman” Brovedani charmed the Walkers with their talent.

Dr. Brian Goldman jumped back on stage to hand out the prizes to the Top Team and our Top Fundraisers. The Top Walker was Dorina Vendramin who raised over $11,000, followed by Gillian Brown and Fern Stimpson. The Top Team prize went again to Team Manulife who raised over $41,000. Louise Pitre closed the event by singing “Please Say My Name” a moving tribute to her Father.

To all of you who came, raised money, donated, volunteered, dressed in a costume and participated in the fun – an enormous thank you.

AND we look forward to seeing you next January for the next great Manulife Walk for Memories.