No matter how you move, there’s a place for you in the fight against cancer in the Terry Fox Run.
That’s the call Powell River organizer Ted Rodonets is making as he expects over 350 participants to lace up their runners for the 33rd annual event on Sunday, September 15.
“I’ve got this daydream about having more and more each year,” said Rodonets. “I really believe more bodies equals more participation and eventually more money.”
Runners, walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists will make their way around a 3.5- or 10-kilometre route. Both routes begin at Powell River Recreation Complex at 10 am.
At last year’s event a total of $28,000 was raised with $16,000 from the community run and $12,000 from schools. Across the country about half the total funds raised come from schools participating, he said.
“Teachers who are motivated will really charge up kids and parents understand that it’s happening and that they can get involved through their kids,” he said. “Hopefully it teaches kids about helping out a little more and sharing.”
Rodonets noted that the Terry Fox Foundation has one of the lowest levels of administrative cost of national charities with 84 cents of each donated dollar going toward cancer research.
Breast cancer survivor Dolores Pfister has been selected this year as a member of Terry’s Team. She will join other survivors in their red Terry Fox Run shirts on the day of the event.
Pfister is also a member of the Paddling for Life Society, a non-profit group for cancer survivors and their supporters who race dragon boats. Her doctor recommended the sport to her as part of her rehabilitation in 2000.
“They didn’t want you to do anything before,” said Pfister of old rehabilitation advice. “‘Don’t use that arm.’ ‘Carry only a small bag.’ ‘Rest.’”
Her doctor felt the paddling would help women recover faster from having the surgery to remove breast cancer tumours because muscles are severed, she said.
Since organizing a group of breast cancer survivors in Vancouver, her doctor has watched as the sport has spread throughout the world, she said.
Pledge forms for Terry Fox Run can be picked up at Avid Fitness Center, the complex, Canadian Tire, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Rona Building Centre, Lockeroom, Mitchell Brothers, Valley Building Supplies, Black Point Store and Top of the Hill Grocery and Gas Bar.
The foundation has embraced social media and smartphone apps to help with its fundraising efforts. For more information about the foundation readers can visit online or find it on Facebook and Twitter. Donations of $5 can be made to the foundation from a mobile phone by sending the text message “terryfox” to 45678.
Registration for the race starts at 8:30 am. Pledges can be submitted on the day of the event or online. There is no minimum pledge or registration fee for participating. A pancake breakfast will follow the run at the complex. Event organizers are always looking for volunteers to help out. For more information about the event or to volunteer, readers can contact Rodonets or his wife Jan at 604.485.9238.
