After 31 years and millions of dollars raised, you might think the Terry Fox Run would have run out of steam.
In fact, the flame that Canadian hero Terry Fox lit more than 30 years ago with his ill-fated national run burns just as brightly, thanks to the continued commitment of volunteers, schools, municipalities and run supporters from all over the world.
It would be easy to give the Terry Fox Run a pass on Sunday (Sept. 16).
It might rain. Other things will compete for your time. Maybe you’re not as inspired as you once were. Further, with Betty Fox’s passing, fewer Fox family members are able to rally the troops.
But then there is this: Everyone is touched by cancer and research saves lives.
Although two out of five Canadians are expected to develop cancer, only one of every four Canadians will die from it. Cancer is the leading cause of premature death and funds raised by the Terry Fox Foundation goes to important research that will reduce those statistics.
There is also this: More than a million people who don’t even live in Fox’s home nation will run to support the foundation in the coming days.
If they can do it, so can we.
This weekend, take some time and join a local run: registration for Nanaimo’s run takes place at the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre at 9 a.m., and the run starts at 10 a.m. heading along Third Street to Wakesiah Avenue and into Colliery Dam Park.
Taking part – running, walking, cycling, in-line skating – is a way of honouring a hero while also endeavouring to put an end to a disease that strikes so many people – many of them, like Fox, simply too young to die.
This year, who will you be running for?
- Black Press