Terry Fox set out on the Marathon of Hope 43 years ago, and to this day, hundreds of thousands of Canadians follow his footsteps in an effort to find a cure for cancer.
The charity run, in honour of Port Coquitlam’s Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope in 1980, is held across the country and has raised more than $850 million.
Nanaimo’s Terry Fox Run was held on at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17, at Bowen Park, with approximately 150 participants at the start line.
Those who sought to contribute to fundraising for cancer research were given the option of running or walking either the 1.8-kilometre, 5.5km or 11km routes through the park to Buttertubs Marsh.
Before hitting the trail, Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog took a moment to reflect on the momentous occasion, pointing out that Coun. Ian Thorpe has participated every year since the event’s inception and that another participant has raised $53,000 for the cause over “many, many” years.
“The reason I point them out is simply this: that’s the legacy of Terry Fox. The outstanding and long-term commitment to raise money to deal with the horror of cancer,” the mayor said. “Because that’s what this is about – it’s about raising the money necessary to ensure that the research continues. And that some day, we’ll be celebrating these runs because the rate of death from cancer and the number of families who have been impacted will be just this tiny fragment of our society instead of being the scourge that it is to all of us.”
According to the Terry Fox Foundation website, as of noon on Sept. 17, the Nanaimo run had raised $10,535 – surpassing the initial goal of $8,000. Both cash and credit card donation were taken at the run side during the charity event. Further online fundraising donations can be made at www.terryfox.org.
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