The Terry Fox Run was held Sunday in communities across Canada, with Nanaimo’s annual race held at Bowen Park.
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It’s been 36 years since Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980 as a way to fundraise for life-saving cancer research.
Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, says local event chairperson Sara Kirby, who called Fox a Canadian hero, noting the fundraiser is a good way to keep his dream alive.
When she was 13, Smith was once again diagnosed with cancer, this time with osteosarcoma (bone cancer), the same kind as Terry Fox. As well, being that Terrys goal was to raise funds for cancer research, $1 dollar for each Canadian, we would guess that he would be particularly enamoured of the fact that today, more than $700 million has been raised. Every year I get people coming to me saying “we didn’t know this event was happening”.
Strada said 175 people attended the Cambridge community run in Riverside Park previous year. He was forced to abandon his cross-Canada tour after 143 days and 5,373 km outside of Thunder Bay when cancer spread to his lungs.
What Wakeling found most powerful was seeing the participating cancer survivors who were sporting red t-shirts, especially Maple Ridge resident Anna-Lyn, who shared the story of her struggle with cancer with the captive audience. Wilkinson believes that people who are surviving cancer can be an inspiration to others as Fox was for the country as a whole. “I think that everybody wants to continue to support that legacy, the cause, and him as an individual”.
Over 400 runners, walkers and cyclists took part in the event, with 326 participants officially registered.
Afterwards, enjoy a BBQ, sponsored by the Agassiz Legion, by donation with all proceeds going to the Terry Fox Foundation.
“We raised $6,300.00 this year”, Salvage said.
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“I really believe that people are here because cancer has afflicted someone in their family or a friend”, said James Follette, co-organizer of the run.
