Despite the looming rainclouds, the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon today was a total success.

Instead of recapping the walk or posting a gallery, I thought I'd share a quick story of one (extended) family who ran the marathon today to raise awareness and funds for a cause dear to their heart.

Patrick 4 Life is the name of the organization established by the proud and determined parents of Patrick Fortin. Patrick was born a severe hemophiliac, relying on bi-weekly blood infusions to stay alive. When he was 7 (in 1986), he contracted HIV from Canada's tainted blood supply and despite perservering and living and giving his all to life, he died in 2001 at the age of 23.

Since Patrick's death, Christian and Christine Fortin have set up Patrick 4 Life to help raise HIV/AIDS awareness and to help raise funds to establish a Children's Hospice in Toronto, the first in Canada providing respite and hospice care for children and families facing life-threatening illnesses and specializing in HIV/AIDS.

This year they were one of the few organisations that gained official charity status with the Scotiabank Marathon, and so, Patrick's parents, siblings, and cousins all came together and ran the marathon in honour of Patrick's bravery.

To learn more about their mission, visit Patrick4Life.org.