A group of committed volunteers is ensuring Terry Fox’s legacy jogs forward in the lakecity this September.
A team of roughly 15 individuals has stepped up after the city announced it would no longer be sponsoring the run, however, organizer Sheila Wyse said the city has been wonderful to work with while setting up logistics.
“[City] staff gave me all their notes and the route, maps, sample letters to send to various organizations like the RCMP to make sure everyone’s safe,” Wyse said. “Having all that has made my job quite a bit easier.”
Wyse decided she wanted to help organize the run after finding out about a lack of volunteers in Williams Lake. She and husband Charlie also lost a son to leukemia 18 years ago.
“I just didn’t want to see it lapse in our community,” she said. “This year is the 35th anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope, so it’s very special. I know how much money is needed for [cancer] research and certainly Terry started that, so I’d like to keep it going.”
For this year’s Terry Fox Run on Sept. 20, Wyse hopes to see an increase in participation and has a few ideas about changing things up a bit.
“We’ll still be starting at the [Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex] and finishing there because I thought that would be good for this transition year,” she said.
“But if it all works out I’m hoping to add a third route. Normally there is a five- or 10-kilometre walk and run but I’m hoping to add a one-kilometre walk/run for people who can’t do the five kilometre or 10 kilometre.”
She noted there will be no minimum donation to the Terry Fox Foundation, however, encouraged people to come out and participate whether they can donate or not.
“It’s primarily about keeping Terry’s memory alive,” she said. “And, thinking about people in our community who have died of cancer or are currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Any donation to the Terry Fox Foundation is great. Eighty-four cents from every dollar goes to research.”
She also encourages businesses to challenge other businesses to sign up teams.
If anyone would like to help volunteer for the Terry Fox Run they can contact Wyse at terryfoxwl2015@gmail.com.
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation can do so online at www.terryfox.org/.
