Spending day after day in the hospital is no easy feat for families who have to care for a sick child. Having a children's hospital right here in Michiana helps keep these families together during tough times.

That is why hundreds of people made an early trip to the UP Mall Saturday morning to show their support for Memorial Children's Hospital. The registration tables were packed as those who have witnessed the impact this hospital makes first-hand made their way to the Hearts of Gold Walk.

From the success stories of children who were able to leave the hospital and live healthy lives, to those that lost their battles, the day was all about honoring them with smiles and fun.

“When those families come back and see us and we can see their little ones that were at the sickest laying in little beds, incubators, and we see them come back having great quality of life, we realize the technology that we have here locally, how awesome it is for these families,” explains the Senior Director of Women's and Children's Services Michaeleen Conlee.

Some familiar faces taking part in the walk, our own Maureen McFadden served as Grand Marshal for the walk.