A New Chapter at Rouge Park: LIFE Walk & Run Brings Community Together for a Powerful Day of Purpose

Sometimes a change in plans creates an opportunity for something even greater.

That was certainly the case for the Detroit MOTTEP Foundation’s 29th Annual LIFE Walk & Run, held Saturday, August 1, 2026. After making a significant pivot in both the date and location of this year’s event, the Detroit MOTTEP Foundation brought LIFE Walk & Run to Rouge Park for the first time — and the result was an incredible celebration of health, community, partnership and the gift of life.

From the moment participants began arriving, Rouge Park proved to be an outstanding new home for LIFE Walk & Run. The beautiful open space created an atmosphere that was welcoming, energetic, and truly community-centered. Runners, walkers, donor families, transplant recipients, living donors, volunteers, healthcare professionals, families, and supporters came together with a shared purpose: to celebrate life while raising awareness about organ and tissue donation and encouraging healthier communities.

This year’s event was about much more than crossing a finish line.

Our Health Fair welcomed more than 35 vendors and community organizations, connecting participants with health information, screenings, resources, and organizations working every day to improve the well-being of our communities. Throughout the LIFE Walk campus, attendees experienced activities that reflected the heart of Detroit MOTTEP’s mission — education, prevention, awareness, fellowship, and action.

We were especially grateful for the leadership and enthusiasm of our Honorary Co-Chairs, Loretta and Ron Bush, who embraced the mission and helped bring energy, visibility and encouragement to this year’s event. Their commitment to healthier communities and their support of Detroit MOTTEP helped make the day even more meaningful.

Our Run Marshals, Rico Razo and Denise Fair Razo, brought tremendous spirit to the running community and helped make the 5K and 10K races an exciting part of the morning. Their involvement reminded us that movement, fitness, and prevention are important pieces of the larger conversation about community health.

The success of this year’s LIFE Walk & Run would also not have been possible without our growing network of community partners. We are deeply thankful to the City of Detroit for welcoming and supporting us at Rouge Park and to the Friends of Rouge Park, whose partnership, knowledge of the park, and commitment to the surrounding community helped us make this transition a successful one.

Most importantly, this year demonstrated what can happen when a community comes together around a common purpose.

The change in location presented a new opportunity. Our partners embraced it. Our volunteers stepped up. Our sponsors stood with us. Our participants showed up. And together, we transformed Rouge Park into a place filled with celebration, remembrance, health, hope, and LIFE.

Every step taken represented something different. Some walked in memory of someone they loved. Some celebrated the second chance made possible through transplantation. Some came to support family and friends. Others simply wanted to take a step toward better health.

But together, we all walked for LIFE.

As we close another successful year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our presenting sponsor, sponsors, Honorary Co-Chairs, Run Marshals, community partners, vendors, volunteers, healthcare professionals, donor families, transplant recipients, living donors, runners, walkers and everyone who helped make the 29th Annual LIFE Walk & Run possible.

And now, we look ahead.

Next year marks an extraordinary milestone: 30 years of LIFE Walk & Run. As we prepare to celebrate three decades of walking, running, educating, remembering, and saving lives, this year’s experience at Rouge Park has given us even more reason to be excited about what comes next.

 

The location may have changed, but our mission remains stronger than ever: changing lives and strengthening communities — one step at a time.