Tutus for Tanner

After nearly being derailed when Air Canada dismantled a customized wheelchair, a fundraising event to help Tanner Bawn, a 10-year-old boy with a devastating form of muscular dystrophy, went off without a hitch Friday morning.

"Tutus for Tanner" was a 5k run/walk in Central Park for attendees of the convention BlogHer, where  participants like Tanner's aunt Catherine Connors, who writes an award-winning blog called Her Bad Mother, wished to draw attention to the disease and help renovate the boy's home so he can live there throughout his life.

This emotional rollercoaster began with an immensely successful one-day Tweetathon to raise money for the renovation, followed by news that the airline had damaged the chair en route to New York City. Then, after an uproar on Twitter that will surely go down in social-media history, Air Canada returned the chair in usable condition and promised to send Tanner and his family to Disney.

But at least some of this drama was forgotten while Tanner enjoyed his trip to Central Park with dozens of women - and a few men - decked out in tutus.

Blogger Amy Urquahart from Maryland gets into the spirit.

Tanner's good friends Eric Alper (@ThatEricAlper), left, and Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) get fueled up.

Emily Beecher and baby Marsaili, from Vancouver, wore matching tutus.

More ballerina runners arrive in the lobby.

From left, Eric Alper, mom Chrissie Bawn, Catherine Connors and Tanner Bawn.

 

Tanner leaves the hotel flanked by friends like Katie (aka @motherbumper), middle.

Some of the ballerinas reach Central Park.

Tanner's posse in the park.

Love the way he's leading the pack in this shot.

Runners turn to say hello to Tanner as they complete their laps of the park.

 

Svelte mama Debbie Gorman (@i_obsess) joined the fun.

These were obviously some of the more serious athletes at the event. A cigarette is how you make a tutu kind of bad ass.

After a rocky start to his New York trip, the "Tutus for Tanner" walk/run was a sweet demonstration of hope and friendship.

Checking out his surroundings, Tanner said, "This is a nice park. New York is cool."

Comments

[Major Bedhead]

I think that svelte mama is Debbie Gorman from I Obsess.

Lovely post. And kudos to all the runners for getting up at WTF-o'clock to do the run.

[Sam Leeson]

Positively brilliant! Thank you for sharing this post with those of us who were there in spirit but were unable to get to NYC for the event!!

[Tracie]

So precious. Once again bloggers demonstrate just how much heart they have. I love it!