2015 marks the 35th anniversary of the first Terry Fox Run – established in 1981 to perpetuate the memory of Terry Fox, who in 1980 ran his epic “Marathon of Hope” to raise money for cancer research.
Terry Fox succumbed to the disease before his cross-Canada marathon was complete; but since then hundreds of thousands of people world-wide have turned out every September to run a few kilometres in symbolic completion of Terry’s heroic effort, and in support of cancer research. To date, over $650 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name.
For a number of years active volunteers organized a Bella Coola event, sanctioned by the Terry Fox Run Trust; however, recently there have only been ad hoc and unofficial runs by individuals dedicated to Terry’s memory.
The Coast Mountain News is pleased to report that there will be an official Terry Fox Run in Bella Coola this year. Rene Morton has been confirmed as the organizer, and Bella Coola has been reinstated as a run location on the Terry Fox Run website. The run (or walk, cycle, push a stroller, whatever) will commence from the Lobelco Hall parking lot at 10 AM Sunday, Sept. 20. Registration is from 9:30 AM.
Refreshments will be provided at Walker Island, which is a 5 km distance. Other options are the full 10 km (back to Lobelco), or less based on km markers along the route. Return transportation will be available for participants going from Lobelco to Walker Island.
Donation pledge sheets will be available at Kopas Store. Online donations and instant tax receipts are also enabled through http://www.terryfox.org/Run/.
A single dream – a world of hope. Keep Terry’s dream alive – a cure for cancer can be found.
