Melissa Willson knows it was important to keep the Terry Fox Run going through the pandemic. But she found there was something missing when everyone participated ‘virtually’ in the annual run.
That’s why she was excited to bring everyone together last year for the first in-person event since the pandemic.
“There’s just a special feeling having the community come together for something,” she said.
And the community obviously agreed with her. Last year’s event raised $24,911, the third highest total in more than 40 years.
“I think it showed people really wanted it back in person,” Willson said.
This year’s run takes place at the Georgetown Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 15. Willson said the fairgrounds provides a beautiful setting for the run and was popular with last year’s participants.
There will be T-shirts for sale. Child and youth sizes are $20 and adult sizes are $25. All money from the sales goes toward the Terry Fox Foundation. T-shirts can be purchased in advance by emailing [email protected].
Terra Cotta Cookies, Wheelbarrow Orchards and Pizzaiolo have donated food for after the run while Ruffins will be providing treats and water bowls for dogs. Dogs are welcome at the event provided they are on a leash.
There will be a small raffle table as well as games to win prizes.
“We want to make it an enjoyable day for any age,” Willson said.
The theme of this year’s event is 'No Matter What.' Willson said Terry Fox continues to be a role model, even for those born after his Marathon of Hope in 1980.
“He’s such an example of being a good, caring human,” she said. “He was so selfless and there are so many lessons we can learn from him.”
Fox’s original goal was to raise $1 for every Canadian, which at the time had a population of 24 million. He had raised $1.7 million when he was forced to abandon his run across the country and a national telethon a week later raised another $10.5 million. Today, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised more than $900 million for cancer research.
“He was so determined,” Willson said, “and it was such a basic ask – if everyone just donated $1.”
To register for the Terry Fox Run, visit https://run.terryfox.ca/55925. You can sign up as an individual or team. Volunteers will also be on hand to help with registration on the day of the event. There's no registration fee and no minimum donation collection amount for participants.
