The 39th annual Terry Fox Run in Water Valley was still going strong as 86 participants and volunteers hit the pavement on Sept. 15 with the goal of raising money for raising money for cancer research.
Another record setting $17,000 was raised to date for the 2019 run.
Families gathered and viewed the memorabilia from past events and paid tribute to loved ones fighting cancer, to encourage the many survivors and to honour memories of loved ones lost to cancer by placing names on the Memorial Board.
EMS patrolled the route to make drivers aware of the runners and finally we all enjoyed refreshments and a barbecue after the run. The weather was perfect.
As we strolled the country roads with family and friends we reflected on what a physical effort Terry went through to run an average of 40 kilometres per day to accomplish a gruelling 5,373 kilometres in 143 days to Thunder Bay, Ont. before his strength gave out and he had to stop. The cancer had spread to his lungs and although he continued treatment he died in June 1981.
The first Terry Fox Run started in September 1981 and has spread to over 10,000 events across Canada and has raised over $750 million used for cancer research. In 30 countries money raised stays in the country to benefit research there.
Terry had received many honours, Canada’s Greatest Hero, monuments and statues in St. John, N.L., Thunder Bay, Ont. His name and image is on schools, streets, a Canadian destroyer ship, stamps, and the 2005 loonie coin to mention only part of the list.
Today although both Betty and Rolly Fox have passed, Terry’s family of Darrell, Fred and Judith and their families continue their dedication to be involved with the Terry Fox Foundation and as ambassadors for the Marathon of Hope.
The Water Valley Run has an amazing total of $174,166 to 2018 with last year’s total of $16,883, and the Cremona School Run since 2003 has raised another $49,577 to date.
These are astounding achievements for the small communities we live in but not surprising to all who are so passionate to continue to honour Terry Fox’s legacy. The school run is Thursday, Sept. 26, and it is important to support it as well.
The Terry Fox Foundation has evolved to create research projects like the Marathon of Hope Centre’s initiative to unite Canadian researchers to collaborate and share their knowledge for the best and newest therapies available to patients suffering the many types of cancer. It has invested $21 million by funding 52 research projects, 361 researchers at 81 institutions across Canada during 2017 and 2018.
The five-year survival rate for childhood cancer is now 83 per cent, up nearly 20 per cent since 1980. It is now estimated that as our population ages with our longer life expectancy nearly one in two Canadians may be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
This year’s Terry Fox Run ambassador is 10-year-old Aiden, who was diagnosed with bladder cancer at 10 weeks old but is now 10 years in remission. He is happy and active, loves playing hockey and speaks in schools to educate and enlighten students about cancer.
I have been asked why we do not see more advertising before the event. It is because the mandate of the foundation is to be volunteer-oriented and so 79 cents of each dollar goes to research.
The Terry Fox Foundation has one of the highest rates of efficiency with your money. For example, the ratio is one staff to four volunteers and nine foundation offices across Canada.
CBC usually plays the movie Terry the week prior to the run. There are many new research news articles and information about Terry’s life and legacy at www.terryfox.org. Donations can be made online at all times of the year or as memorial tributes.
Many thanks to all who participated, donated funds, food, volunteered and everything to make the run the success it always is. I believe Terry would be amazed at the spirit that continues to grow each year at runs across Canada and around the world from the dream he inspired to find a cure for cancer. We feel honoured to be a small part of that dream.
– Thomson is a longtime coordinator with the Water Valley run
