Every year, Canadian schools take part in a run that was started by a hero who wanted to end cancer. In 2011, a total of $5,469.45 was raised by Powell River schools. Eighty-five cents of every dollar will be donated to cancer research by the Terry Fox Foundation.
Jay Yule, School District 47 superintendent of schools, said the run has become a fall tradition for Powell River schools. “Students continue to be inspired by the legacy of community spirit and giving that Terry exemplified. The generosity and enthusiasm of our students and school community is amazing.”
Terry Fox set out on a cross-Canada run in 1980 with one leg amputated due to cancer. His cancer forced him to end the run after 143 days and 5,373 km. He died in 1981 but his legacy has lived on in the form of annual runs that raise money for cancer research.
At 22 years old, he was the youngest person to be named a Companion of the Order of Canada and won the 1980 Lou Marsh award as Canada’s top sportsman. He was also named Canada’s Newsmaker of the Year in 1980 and 1981.
