Terry Fox had a single vision: a world without cancer. “I’m not a dreamer and I’m not saying that this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to,” said Fox as he started his Marathon of Hope in April 1980.
He sought to reach out to every corner of Canada and beyond, when he embarked on his cross-country run. Fox ran the equivalent of a marathon a day for 143 days straight on one leg and a prothesis, to raise awareness for the need for research funding. When his own cancer spread, he was forced to stop running but his dream to find a cure for cancer lives on.
This year marks the 34th annual Terry Fox Run.
Cancer survivor and Powell River resident Pat Greenwell is a member of Terry’s Team. She battled breast cancer and for the past 18 years has been cancer-free. She was a member of Powell River’s Paddling for Life dragon boat team and has helped counsel women fighting the disease.
“I personally think that cancer survivors have an obligation to get the word out there and show that [cancer] happens in life, but you can get on with it,” said Greenwell. “We have an obligation to be proactive and pay it forward. None of us got to this point without a whole team of people keeping us alive.”
Prior to her cancer diagnosis, Greenwell had been concerned for quite some time about lumps she found in her breasts. Doctors told her that she had a fibrocystic breast condition, common in women and benign. But after about eight years of regular mammograms and ultrasound scans, doctors discovered a cancerous tumour hiding under the benign growths which had spread to her lymph nodes. She underwent treatment and beat the odds, but many women do not. One of the youngest women in her breast cancer support group succumbed to the disease. Greenwell said the woman’s cosmetic breast implants had hidden her tumour from detection, and when the cancer was finally discovered it was already too late.
Greenwell has been a supporter of Terry Fox for many years. She recognized that his work has helped bring a higher profile to the disease which has allowed for more community and personal support.
“You’ve got to stop being scared of it,” she said. “Cancer is something people need to learn to live with not just exist with. It doesn’t define who a person is.”
Greenwell encourages all women to be more proactive with their mammogram checkups because early diagnosis is vital.
Since Fox dipped his leg in the harbour in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1980, over $650 million has been raised for cancer research worldwide in his name.
“The Terry Fox Foundation funds research in all kinds of cancer, believing, as Terry did, that we need to conquer the disease once and for all,” said Donna White, BC foundation director.
The foundation differs from other organizations in that 84 cents of every dollar raised is donated directly to cancer research initiatives, said White.
According to the foundation, to date over 1,152 cancer research projects have been funded.
This year’s event takes place on September 14. 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.
Event registration for Powell River starts at Powell River Recreation Complex at 8:30 am. The run begins at 10 am.
Local run organizer Ted Rodonets said again this year a post-run pancake breakfast for participants and volunteers is being sponsored by Save-On-Foods, which will give the community a chance to come together over coffee, tea and pancakes to talk.
“If you’ve given a dollar, you are part of the Marathon of Hope,” said White.
To make a donation to the foundation, readers can visit online or call 1.888.836.9786.
