The annual Ladysmith Terry Fox Run is coming up Sunday, September 15.
Terry’s older brother Fred Fox was in Ladysmith to recognize fundraising efforts in Ladysmith on September 6. The community has raised over $92,000 for cancer research since 1988.
This year’s route is a 2.5km run that begins at the Frank Jameson Community Centre (FJCC). The route stretches down 6th avenue to Malone road, onto Colonia drive, down Brown and Stillin drive back to the FJCC. Runners can do up to four laps for a total of 10km.
Tiffany Wong, programmer of health and wellness for the Town has been organizing the Terry Fox Run for three years. Next year is the 40th anniversary of the Terry Fox Foundation. She said organizers are hoping to get feedback from regular participants on what they’d like to see changed for next year.
Wong said that the organizers are hoping for good weather and a good turn out this year.
“Cancer touches everybody’s lives nowadays. To be able to help in one way or another is rewarding. If we’re able to help, even if it’s on a small scale, and we only raise fifty dollars or a thousand dollars, it’s still something to the cause,” she said.
Today, the Terry Fox Foundation donates to a wide variety of cancer screenings and treatment. They fund 361 researchers, 81 collaborative institutions, and 52 projects in Canada. In 2017-18, the Terry Fox Foundation donated $21.8 million in research investment for blood, brain, colorectal, pedantic, breast, prostate, ovarian and other cancers.
Although Terry Fox died in 1981, he remains an icon of hope to this day. Wong said that the story of what he achieved, his vision, and his dreams gave hope to countless people.
There’s always a need for volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Terry Fox Run is encouraged to email Wong at: twong@ladysmith.ca, or call the FJCC lobby.
“Whether you’re doing the course or not, it’s still showing up and supporting one way or another… even if it’s not a monetary donation to the cause, time to support a cause like this is priceless,” Wong said.
