History of the ROH Walk

honoring the heroes

The Rainbow of Heroes Walk began in 2001 at the Duke Center for Living. FSP director, Jane Schroeder, had a vision to honor the heroes of the Duke Pediatric Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant (PBMT) program. Previously, the Duke PBMT program participated in the Great Human Race; a nationwide community fundraising event for nonprofit organizations held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. With the idea to annually celebrate and honor the PBMT community, the ROH Walk was created as the primary fundraiser for the Family Support Program led by Jane Schroeder.

Duke PBMT’s (now PTCT) roots began on the 5200 unit of the North Tower at Duke. 5200 was a special place that provided care, treatment, connection, and love to PBMT patients. The ROH walk began a tradition of walking 5200 yards, or 13 laps, around the Duke Center for Living track. To this day, those 13 laps are still completed at the ROH walk to honor the different heroes of the PBMT/PTCT community.

The Rainbow of Heroes Wall of Honor was created to be a place of honor for the strength, courage, and unconditional love that carries the Duke PBMT/PTCT Program. The Wall is decorated with names, photos, signatures, stories, and memories of patients and families of the Duke PBMT/PTCT community. The Wall of Honor proudly showcases these brave Heroes each year at the Rainbow of Heroes Walk.

The Walk continues as a foundational event of the PTCT Family Support Program. What began as an event to honor, cherish, exhort, and celebrate the PBMT/PTCT community still remains. Various changes have occurred over the years with the schedule, sponsors, and volunteers. But one thing remains: the Heroes we honor are brave, strong, and courageous. Their story matters and needs to be shared.

The Family Support Program is honored to carry out the vision from Jane Schroeder in the annual Rainbow of Heroes Walk each year.