The 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run is nearing on the calendar. Terry had a dream in 1980 to try and raise $1 for every Canadian citizen. To date, many millions of dollars have been raised, and much progress has been made in cancer research. For example, if Terry was alive today, they say he wouldn’t have lost his leg.
That was 35 years ago.
Terry ran for 143 days, 42 km per day, while running about 5,000 km. Please join in, here in Hope, to help keep Terry’s dream alive. The local run/walk will be held on Terry Fox Day — Sunday, September 20.
This year the event will be a downtown Hope route, beginning in Memorial Park with registration starting at 9 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a donation or a plege from neighbours and friends. There is no fee and any amount is welcome. Donations over $20 will enable you to receive an official income tax receipt in January.
The run/walk is really not a race. Participants go as far as they want, or are able to. The route will be marked with 3 km, 5 km, or 10 km, and it is open to everyone to run, walk, stroll, bike or inline skate. The route is also wheelchair and stroller accessible. There is no obligation to go any set distance. We want everyone to enjoy the event.
This year, Terry Fox T-shirts will be for sale. They are available at the Rec Centre and will also be featured at the run. All donations can be received at any time at the Rec Centre, for anyone who wants to donate.
Some TF trivia: there are 14 schools and 15 roads named for Terry, as well as a mountain on the Yellowhead Hwy, up near Valemont. TF Runs are held in 31 countries around the world, and the largest outside Canada is Cuba. 83 cents of each dollar raised goes toward Cancer research.
Last year we raised over $2000 in Hope and had 61 participants. This year, let’s show everyone that Hope cares! See you there!
Eileen Shepherd