Adam Prudhomme
Editor
On Sept. 17 Greater Napanee will join communities across Canada in carrying on Terry Fox’s dream by holding its 41st annual Terry Fox Run.
Starting from Conservation Park, participants will run, walk, jog or ride their choice of 5 km or 10 km. Pledges raised from the event will go to the Terry Fox Foundation, which raises money to fund cancer research.
This year local organizers have set a goal of raising $20,000, which would top last year’s total of $18,841.
Registration is now open for this year’s event and can be done online by visiting https://run.terryfox.ca/28701. Participants can also register the day of the event starting at 9 a.m.
“This year’s theme set out by the Terry Fox Foundation is Dear Terry,” says Michelle Way, who returns to organize the Napanee Terry Fox Run. “We have postcards and people can write Terry and send it in to the Terry Fox organization. He’s definitely an international icon which I think helps with people wanting to participate in the event. He really does have an amazing story about one individual attempting to run across Canada to help raise money and awareness and eradicate cancer based upon his own story.”
Fox, who lost his right leg to cancer at the age of 18, set out on a quest to run from St. John’s NFLD to Victoria, BC. Though his run began with little fanfare, it eventually began to gain notoriety. At the height of its popularity, Canadians from coast to coast were mailing post cards to offer their support-hence the Dear Terry theme.
His journey began on April 12, 1980 but was cut short 143 days into the run when his cancer returned, forcing him to halt his run and ultimately claiming his life at the age of 22. His attempt sparked a worldwide movement and just one year after his initial run, communities across Canada began holding their own fundraising runs. Napanee held their first event in 1982.
“It’s very impressive that we’ve been able to sustain, since 1982 we haven’t missed a Terry Fox Run in Napanee,” said Way.
Fox’s efforts have ultimately led to over $850 million raised worldwide for cancer research since his original run. Those dollars have led to many breakthroughs over the years and ultimately meant more time with loved ones for those diagnosed with cancer.
“Even just the research that has gone into the genetic testing that can tell you if you’re pre-disposed to certain types of cancer, based upon your family history and all that kind of stuff or if you carry certain kinds of genes. Even just the prevention side of things is pretty incredible as well,” added Way.
Fox’s goal of raising $24 million-one dollar for every Canadian at the time of his run-has grown beyond even anything he could have imagined. That legacy will continue on Sept. 17.