We would like to shine a bright spotlight on One Walk Philadelphia and One Walk Bucks County top teams Peter’s Posse and Nathan’s Cure Shooters, respectively. Let’s take a moment to learn more about their stories from Peter’s Posse Team Captain Ben Blackburn, and Nathan’s Cure Shooters Team Captain Michelle Reilly. Register your team for One Walk Philadelphia or One Walk Bucks County now!

Spotlight on One Walk Philadelphia Top Team Peter’s Posse!

Who are you walking for?

We are walking for our son, Peter, who was diagnosed in 2011 at age 8.

Why did you pick your team’s name?

We chose Peter’s Posse as a team name because we all have his back.

How long have you had your team?

We have been walking since Peter’s diagnosis in 2011.

What is your favorite memory from your first walk?

Our favorite memory from our first walk was the smile on Peter’s face as we walked up to the Art Museum steps. To see all those people turn out to find a cure for the disease that had turned his life upside down just months before made him feel like he was not alone. Having a chronic disease like T1D is very isolating for kids; none of their friends have to stop and test, bolus, or worry about what they eat. Seeing that crowd that day really cheered him up, and he looks forward to Walk Day every year. I think he feels like it is really his day.

What are some of your Walk Day traditions?

Our walk tradition is to have our entire walk team, plus any friends or neighbors that could not make it, come over for a party at our house after the walk as a thank you for supporting Peter’s Posse. There is usually an Eagles game on TV, and we project it on a movie screen on our deck during the party. We are all huge Eagles fans, Peter especially. There is tons of food and dozens of kids running around playing various sports. We have been known to order pizzas after the kids demolish all the food we make. Walkers have been known to stay through dinner time and beyond.

Spotlight on One Walk Bucks County Top Team Nathan’s Cure Shooters!

Who are we walking for?

We are walking for our son, Nathan, who was diagnosed at the age of 8 ½ months old and is now 17 years old.

Why did we pick our team’s name?

Originally we were called, “Nathan’s Hot Dogs. We picked that name when Nathan was really little because he liked hot dogs. However, when Nathan got older, I think it was around age ten, he wanted a new team name and logo. He chose Nathan’s Cure Shooters because he plays ice hockey and thought it was a good name. Nathan also asked for a hockey player as our new team logo.

How long have you had your walk team?

We actually have had a walk team since two months after Nathan was diagnosed. We lived in Buffalo at the time and did our first walk at the University of Buffalo on May 20, 2001.

What is our favorite memory from our first walk?

I know our first walk was so long ago, but I remember it well. Nathan had just been diagnosed on March 23^rd and he was very, very sick at the time. We were so happy to be walking with him (and having him healthy) and our daughter, Devan. Nathan was still his loveable, happy self even though he had been through such an ordeal. Crossing the finish line together with my family was a great feeling. I can still see Nathan’s happy face looking at the balloons at the finish line.

What are some of our walk day traditions?

On Walk Day, we meet our team at our walk table. There we enjoy donuts, coffee, and good conversation with all of the people who come out to support Nathan. The support Nathan gets from family, friends, and teammates means a lot to us all. We usually take a group picture, but in more recent years it has just been with Nathan, his teammates and cousins. After the walk is over our extended family goes out to lunch together.