His dream was one as big as the country.
Thirty-five years ago a BC man, a cancer survivor, set off on a run across the country to raise awareness about the disease and money for its research.
And although ultimately he was unable to complete his Marathon of Hope, cut short outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canadians have continued year after year to keep his dream alive, lacing up to participate in over 9,000 commemorative events across the country every September.
This year’s local events take place on Sunday, September 20. The runs are non-competitive, all-inclusive and family-oriented where participants can run, walk, blade or bike either a 10- or 3.5-kilometre route. Registration is by donation and there is no minimum pledge amount.
The longer course takes participants around Cranberry Lake while the shorter one takes participants up to Manson Avenue and across to Alberni Street before returning them to the recreation complex along Joyce Avenue.
Cooper Jones, a seven-year-old brain cancer survivor and grade two student at Westview Elementary, was chosen this year as a member of Terry’s Team. He will be firing the starting pistol for the community event. Cooper said he is excited participate in the run with his mother Tanya and father Lloyd.
Event registration for Powell River starts at Powell River Recreation Complex at 8:30 am. The event begins at 10 am.
Local run organizer Ted Rodonets said a post-run pancake breakfast for participants and volunteers is planned again this year and will give the community a chance to come together to talk over coffee, tea and pancakes.
It was a cold April morning in 1980 when Terry Fox dipped his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic Ocean and set off on his run with the goal of raising $10,000. But it was clear, even before completing his route across Newfoundland, that his goal needed to be expanded. Encountering an outpouring of generosity and concern about cancer in each community he visited, he revised his sights to a goal of one dollar from each Canadian at the time‚ $27.17 million. Since then, his journey has raised over $700 million for cancer research. It is the largest single day for cancer research fundraising.
This year, the Terry Fox Foundation, established by the Fox family after Terry’s death in 1981 to carry his dream forward, is aiming to raise $35 million, again roughly one dollar for each Canadian.
To make a donation or find out more information about the foundation, readers can do so online at www.terryfox.org, or by phone at 1.888.836.9786.
