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Terry Fox

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41st Terry Fox Run Approaching

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Cancer is no longer a death sentence, according to Fred Fox, brother of Terry Fox, leading up to the 41st annual Terry Fox Run.

The run is happening virtually next Sunday, September 19th. Participants can register online and walk or run wherever they feel most comfortable.

He says because of the research being conducted with funds from the Terry Fox Run, the survival rate has gone up considerably.

“You meet people all the time who, maybe have not personally been touched by cancer, but maybe it’s been a family member, or a friend who survived their cancer diagnosis,” Fox points out. “Or in many cases were given an extra five, ten years and were able to spend those extra years with their families.”

Fox says there was one particular aspect of the run they missed last year because of COVID-19.

“Hopefully with things a little bit better than they were in 2020, schools will be able to do a little bit more, get more involved this year, and have students doing their own Terry Fox fundraising as well,” he says.

While he estimates last year’s virtual run raised over $17-million, the organization doesn’t set any concrete fundraising goals for the annual run.

“The goal is always to be better,” Fox notes, but points ut he would be happy if the run matches last year’s total or returns to pre-pandemic levels.

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Open Roads Principals To ‘Tent It For Terry’ In Support Of Cancer Research

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Terry Fox Week activities are underway at local schools and Open Roads in Dryden has found a way to honour the legacy of Canadian Terry Fox, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff and students have raised over 5 hundred dollars this year for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Terry Fox Committee member at Open Roads, Heather Friesen was a guest on the CKDR morning show.

Since the school surpassed their goal, Friesen explains what Principal Tanis Mitani Oberg and Vice Principal Terri Jackson have agreed to do Tuesday night.

“We made a deal with our principals, they will be tenting out on the front lawn so we called it ‘Tenting For Terry’. They are about to spend a chill evening in their two tents, all in the name of cancer research.”

Open Roads will also complete the annual walk on Friday for it’s 40th anniversary.

Friesen explains how the walk will look different this year, to keep students and staff safe.

“Classes will be going out individually at individual times. We don’t’ get to come together in the same capacity that we have in the past or do a whole school walk. But classes will still be going around the community, getting their exercise and keeping Terry’s dream alive.”

Friesen adds even though they have to keep their distance, the goal remains the same.

“We encourage everyone to share the link with their family and friends (to donate). We’re still hoping to raise a lot more, because the more money we raise the more people we can help.”

Other activities at Open Roads this week will include a pyjama day and red shirt day.

If you would like to donate to Open Road’s fundraiser, you can click the link here.

Terry Fox Week is October 5-9 when schools reflect on Terry’s Marathon of Hope, take part in the annual Terry Fox walk and participate in other activities to raise money for cancer research.

Over 24-thousand dollars has been raised by Open Roads School since the inception of the Terry Fox Run (2011) and other fundraising school activities.

To hear more from Heather Friesen click the audio below.

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40th Anniversary Of The Marathon Of Hope: Remembering Terry Fox

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Sunday, September 20 marks the 40th Anniversary of the annual Terry Fox Run, a tradition that all Canadians have come to know and love.

The milestone will be celebrated virtually this year due to COVID-19, but that isn’t stopping people from honouring the legacy of Terry Fox.

Older brother of Terry, Fred Fox says even after all these years his family continues to be amazed by the millions of Canadians who support the cause.

“It means so much to me, our family and the Terry Fox Foundation. So many people across Canada, from coast to coast who have supported the Terry Fox run for the last 40 years. New generations, our volunteers, people who participate every year, donors, the people that fund raise for cancer research. If not for all of these people, Terry’s legacy wouldn’t have continued the way it has. Terry has inspired so many people to continue what he started in 1980.”

Fred says some of his best memories of his younger brother Terry was witnessing first hand his determination during the marathon.

“I had a couple of chances to be with Terry in Toronto and then later on in Northern Ontario near Wawa. My wife and I spent four days with him. So those are fond memories, any time spent with Terry, but especially in Northern Ontario. Running with Terry and watching him make his way through the many hills he climbed,” Fox says.

Credit-Terry Fox Foundation Website.

Fred has worked at the Terry Fox Foundation for 12 years speaking at schools in Canada, in hopes of keeping Terry’s message alive.

“You see the passion, commitment and dedication that Canadians have to continue what Terry started,” Fred says. “Those are great memories, meeting new people and seeing great parts of Canada every year.”

Fred explains that Terry had a vision of a cancer-free world.

“Terry said ‘even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue,’ and that’s what we’ve been doing for 40 years. And now with the last six or seven months or so that we’ve been dealing with COVID, we’ve had to work a little bit harder,” he points out. “Terry said that anything is possible if you try. We’re hoping that people who participated in the run over the years will step it up and try that much harder this year, in a more difficult year. Even though we’eve been dealing with COVID, people are still dealing with cancer.”

Despite the run being virtual this year, Fred hopes to see lot’s of participation on social media.

“Cancer research is so important, Terry saw that 40 years ago. $800-million later and the impact has been incredible for cancer research in this country,” Fred explains.

The decision was made back in April that the Terry Fox Run would go virtual this year and there would be no large gatherings.

People are still encouraged to participate by staying in their social bubbles and posting on social media using the hashtag #tryliketerry.

Register and see more about the virtual run here.

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AUDIO: Terry Fox Run Goes Virtual For 40th Anniversary

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The legacy of Canadian Terry Fox lives on and the Marathon Of Hope reaches a new milestone, celebrating it’s 40th anniversary on Sunday, September 20th.

While it won’t be the celebration they had planned, older brother of Terry, Fred Fox says the support and passion for Terry’s vision will continue virtually this year.

Fox says the purpose of the run is more important than ever.

“Even thought we’ve all been dealing with COVID for the last several months, people are still dealing with cancer. It’s still important to raise money for cancer research and participate virtually in the annual Terry Fox Run.”

The decision to go virtual was made back in April by the Terry Fox Foundation, due to COVID-19.

Whether it’s a lap around the track or a walk in the park, Fox says people are encouraged to go for a walk and stay in their social bubbles while supporting the cause.

“We’re hoping people that have participated in the Terry Fox Run over the years will step it up and try that much harder during this more difficult year. Research is so important and Terry saw that 40 years ago. 800 million dollars later and the impact has been incredible for cancer research in this country.”

Fox says they hope to see people posting on social media, using the hashtag #tryliketerry and sharing their efforts online since they can’t be together in person this year.

Meanwhile, schools across Canada are also finding new ways to participate in the run, hopefully later this month.

When asked about some of his best memories from Terry’s marathon, Fred said one that stands out was his brother’s drive and determination throughout the rough landscape of Northern Ontario.

“Later on (during the marathon) in Northern Ontario, near Wawa my wife and I spent 4 days with Terry. Any time spent with Terry was great, but especially in Northern Ontario and running with Terry and watching him make his way through all the many hills that he climbed.”

Fox has worked at the Terry Fox Foundation for the last 12 years, touring Canada and speaking at schools.

“You see the passion and commitment and dedication that Canadians have to continue what Terry started. Those are always great memories, meeting new people and seeing all of Canada every year.”

Click here to register for the virtual run and listen to the full interview with Fred Fox below.

  1. Fred Fox Interview


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Memories Of Terry Fox On 40th Anniversary

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It was 40 years ago today (Tuesday) that Canadians learned Terry Fox would be ending his Marathon of Hope, after stopping eleven kilometres outside Thunder Bay.

Former Chronicle Journal reporter Jo-Anne Stead was at that news conference at the Cancer Centre at the former Port Arthur General Hospital, and says she remembers it vividly.

She says nobody knew that Fox’s cancer had returned, only that he had stopped his run in Shuniah and had developed a cough. Lying in a hospital bed at the Cancer Centre with his parents holding his hands, Fox announced that the disease had spread to his lungs.

Stead believes it was the biggest news of the day because the country was so invested in his run.

‘People were really kind of rooting for him, and all along northwestern Ontario people would try to make it out to see him on his marathon. So it was a big shock, I think,” she recalls.

“Everybody was kind of rooting for him, and so when he announced that the cancer had returned, it was sort of a collective sort of mourning for the fact that he had to stop and that he had the cancer return,” Stead adds

Stead says she still takes part in the annual Terry Fox Run, adding it brings back memories of a Canadian hero.

(Pictures Supplied By Jo-Anne Stead)

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Campaign To Have Terry Fox On $5 Bill

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The Mayor of Thunder Bay is hoping area residents can have some influence on who appears on the new edition of the Canadian five dollar bill.

Bill Mauro would like that person to be Terry Fox, who stopped his Marathon of Hope just outside of Thunder Bay in 1980.

“He’s left an amazing legacy for all Canadians, and in fact an International legacy. And of course there’s a very close connection with his run to the City of Thunder Bay where he finished his run just on the eastern outskirts of the City.”

The Bank of Canada has started an online campaign calling for nominations and Mauro is encouraging everyone to vote for Terry Fox.

To vote visit https://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/banknoteable-5/

 

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Terry Fox Fundraising Tomorrow At Dryden High School

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Fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation takes centre stage at Dryden High School tomorrow. (Friday, October 10th)

Grade 11 Leadership student Logan Boyd says a day full of activities starts with the annual walk at 10:30.

One of the new features is the Terry Fox Car Show and anyone can enter a vehicle with a $5 donation.

The cars will be showcased outside the school along Duke Street and all vehicles are welcome.

To reserve your spot, email trisha.lundstrom@kpdsb.ca

Another highlight is the ‘Kings Court’ Dodgeball Tournament.

Boyd says “It’s very important for our youth to get involved with our community and show the nicer side to Dryden. It’s to raise awareness and just to show that our youth in our community are involved and they care about it.”

 

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Lots Of Fun At New Prospect School Terry Fox Run

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New Prospect School in Dryden showed off their school spirit on Friday as they held their Terry Fox Run celebrations.

The walk started and after the walk around the school was complete, they started the teacher challenges.

Teacher Jennifer Bartlett says as students raised money, they also earned votes, and with those votes they got to decide which teachers had to do what challenges.

The challenges included a makeover with very interesting make-up, a water balloon challenge, a pie in the face as well as an interesting blindfolded pudding challenge.

They also confirmed that the school was able to raise more than $1700

 

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Terry Fox Walk Kicks Off At Open Roads School

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After a week of build up, today is the day students of Open Roads School had fun in support of finding a cure for cancer.

The Terry Fox Challenge and Walk kicked off with students at the school walking with signs across town.

Other activities were held throughout the day at the school as well.

Tyson Langlais was a lucky student as he won a draw to become the Principal for a day.

Langlais says a lot of fun took place during the day including a Human Hotdog and he says he had fun as principal since he called one of his friends down to the office.

Vice Principal Teri Jackson says the Terry Fox events at their school are very important and they always try to plan a lot of things to do at the school for the entire week.

Jackson also says a couple teachers had their hair dyed for the cause and she says they probably raised over $1000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

She also says they already have a lot of big plans for the next year including Tenting for Terry, which is where she will be joined by Principal Mitani-Oberg to stay out in a tent at the front of the school during the night before next year’s Terry Fox Walk.