Nicole Labrecque was only three years old when she lost her battle with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer. That was 16 years ago and for the last six years, Nicole's father Richard has been raising money to help seriously-ill children like his daughter have their special wish come true.

Richard said his daughter died suddenly three days after the family's Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. Richard Labrecque told reporters, "She spent a beautiful week having fun and for a few days, she was able to forget about the pain of surgeries and chemotherapy. It is priceless to see these kids have fun. Nicole was three years old and we were swept off our feet. I'm dedicated to this organization."

In the past five years, Nicole's walk has raised over $70,000, which has gone to the Vermont Make-A-Wish Foundation. The annual walk, which will be held this year on May 20, 2007 on the Toonerville Trail in Springfield, VT starts at 9:30 a.m. The trail is 6.2 miles.

All participants get a purple T-shirt -- purple was Nicole's favorite color.

Maj. Bennet W. Walsh was told the spot on his scalp was basal cell carcinoma -- skin cancer -- while he was in Kuwait, waiting to lead his men on combat operations into the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

The cancer diagnosis meant Walsh would have to come back home to the States for treatment but he did not want to leave his men at a critical time. So he waited until the very last minute to hand over command of Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5.

"He pushed the envelope of medical authorities and his own health to be with his Marines," said Lt.Col. Christopher A. Landro, the battalion's commander. Walsh is quoted as saying, "There is definitely some sadness for having to leave the Marines here early, but unfortunately I have to go because of the time sensitivity for the surgery." Walsh is leaving one battle behind to come home to Springfield, Massachusetts to begin a new battle against cancer. We wish Maj. Bennet W. Walsh a speedy recovery into cancer survivorship.