Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Terry Fox didn’t let the fact he lost his right leg to cancer stop him from embarking on his legendary Marathon of Hope back in 1980.
In that same spirit, organizers for the 40th annual Marathon of Hope aren’t going to let a pandemic stop them from continuing his goal to cure cancer. Like Fox, they’ve simply found a way to adapt and make the most of the situation, in this case going to a virtual format.
Napanee is one of several communities that will host a new-look Terry Fox Run, which will take place Sept. 20. Whereas in previous years participants would gather at the Napanee Mall or Spring Side Park before they walked, ran or rode for 5 km or 10 km, this year they’ll do it from their own home. Fittingly this year’s theme is One Day. Your Way.
“We’re not doing the typical gathering in the way that we normally would at the park, there won’t be a route posted that people walk,” said Michelle Way, one of the Napanee event organizers. “This year they’re encouraged to just walk their 5 k or 10 k on their own route in their own neighbourhood and continue to raise money like they would any other year.”
While the format may be a bit different, the goal remains the same. Participants are asked to collect pledges for the Terry Fox Foundation and help fund research to develop a cure for cancer. Participants can register at www.TerryFox.ca/terryfoxrun/napanee. They can also find a direct link on the Terry Fox Run Napanee Facebook page. From there people can also arrange to order a Terry Fox Run shirt, which local organizers can deliver in contactless fashion to a front doorstep.
Smartphone users can also download the Terry Fox Run App to their phone to help manage their pledge collections.
“The benefit of the virtual world is that it can be at any time, at any point in the day,” said Way. “Hopefully we’ll be back (for an in person event) next year. It’s a little sad, but we’re rolling with it.”
Prior to the pandemic, the organizing committee had big plans to mark the 40th anniversary of Fox’s original run. Despite the unexpected twist, Way says she was glad they were able to still have the event.
“What we really just want is everyone to continue on with Terry’s legacy and doing their 5 k or 10 k walk for cancer research because even thought COVID-19 is going on, cancer is still going on as well,” said Way.
Last year’s run raised over $12,000 for cancer research.
Napanee has hosted a Terry Fox Run every year since 1982. In that time it has raised well over half a million dollars for cancer research.
Across Canada the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $800 million in Fox’s name to support cancer research.