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Terry Fox legacy shines bright

Annual runs in Powell River and around the world celebrate and honour legacy of Canadian icon
Powell River Terry Fox Run organizer Leslie Paul
TERRY’S TEAM: Powell River Terry Fox Run organizer Leslie Paul [left] and Lorraine Matheson, representing Terry’s Team, a group of cancer survivors and patients who encourage people to participate in the annual event, are preparing for this year’s run, which is scheduled for Sunday, September 16. Sara Donnelly photo

On April 12, 1980, when a 21-year-old BC cancer survivor set off to run across Canada in hopes of raising money and awareness for cancer research, there was no way of knowing the difference he would make.

Today, runs honouring the legacy of Terry Fox are held in more than 9,000 communities across Canada and more overseas. Fox’s original goal was to raise $10,000, but the outpouring of support across the nation led him to dream of raising one dollar from each Canadian. This has been achieved many times over with more than $750 million raised so far for cancer research.

In Powell River, the annual Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, September 16, starting at 10 am outside the lower level of Powell River Recreation Complex. People and dogs on leashes can take part in a 3.5-kilometre or 10-kilometre route.

The event is for everyone, not only runners, said Terry’s Team member Lorraine Matheson. Terry’s Team is a group of cancer survivors and patients who encourage people to join the annual event.

“I’ve participated every year, even before I was diagnosed,” said Matheson, a longtime breast cancer survivor. “You don’t have to run. You can walk, ride a bike, take your scooter, whatever.”

Organizer Leslie Paul noted that because of the volunteer-driven nature of the Terry Fox charity, those who donate see more of their money going to finding a cure than anything else.

“It is a charity that people respect; 82 cents of every dollar goes directly to research,” said Paul. “It doesn’t have a high cost overhead because there are so many volunteers. That’s worth celebrating.”

This funding has led to medical breakthroughs and means the number of people surviving cancer diagnoses today is much greater than in Fox’s time, said Matheson.

“What Terry had, if he was diagnosed now, it would not be a terminal disease because of the research,” she added. “That’s another thing to celebrate: how many people are surviving now. It's not a death sentence anymore.”

Both Matheson and Paul said the hope is to see as many people as possible of all ages coming out to support the event and having fun.

“It's raising awareness about cancer and that nobody is free from it. Anybody and everybody can be affected, whether directly or indirectly,” said Paul. “It’s great to see whole families out, kids on bikes, parents pushing strollers, all ages.”

For more information or to make a donation, go to terryfox.org.