On Sunday, lace up your runners and head out on the same route you’d usually take for a Terry Fox Run: over the Coast Meridian viaduct, around Mundy Park, through Rocky Point Park or from Anmore’s Spirit Square.
Alternatively, you can travel up to Westwood Plateau in Coquitlam to circle the executive 12-hole golf course for an informal trek, or stay at home to workout on a treadmill or elliptical machine.
Any way you choose, it’ll be a day to remember and honour Terry Fox, the Port Coquitlam hero who ran a marathon a day for 143 days in 1980 to raise money and bring attention to cancer research.
While most community runs across Canada are cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual Terry Fox Runs are happening for the second year in a row with the foundation promoting the theme of “One Day. Your Way.”
Dave Teixeira, the longtime organizer of the Terry Fox Hometown Run — one of the biggest runs in the country with more than 3,000 walkers, runners and cyclists — said the run is a good way to get out with your family or social bubble, exercise and celebrate Terry’s accomplishments.
This morning (Monday), PoCo city hall raised the Terry Fox flag in memory of the cancer crusader while, on Tuesday, Teixeira will speak before city council to promote the cause and encourage participants to register online.
“We want people to know that Terry’s spirit is alive and well,” he told the Tri-City News last week. “And I can’t wait to be together again for next year.”
But for those unable to get out on Sunday for the 41st annual event, you can help the foundation raise cash for cancer research these ways:
- on its website via terryfox.org
- through the new Terry Fox Run mobile fundraising app
- text “Terry” to 45678 to give $5, $10 or $25
- visit a Terry Fox Foundation tap donation station in a local eatery
- purchase a limited edition 2021 Terry Fox Run T-shirt at the following Port Coquitlam businesses: Patina (2332 Marpole Ave.); Save On Foods (2385 Ottawa St.); and Save On Foods (1430 Prairie Ave.).
As well, adidas is offering its commemorative Terry Fox Run collection from 2020, with 100 per cent of its net proceeds supporting the Terry Fox Foundation. The collection includes the Orion (the blue adidas shoe that Fox wore on his Marathon of Hope); the Ultraboost DNA shoes; and seven Terry Fox T-shirts. To purchase the collection, visit adidas.ca/TerryFox.
“It’s heart-warming to see so many Canadians continue to participate in the Terry Fox Run and raise funds for cancer research in Terry’s name,” said Terry’s brother Fred Fox, in a news release. “Seeing the adidas Orion shoe everywhere brings that nostalgia back, and reminds us there are miles to go to realize Terry’s dream of finding a cure.”
And Jim Woodgett, president and scientific director of the Terry Fox Research Institute, said the need for fundraisers has never been greater.
“The impact of COVID-19 on Canada’s healthcare system and cancer care throughout the country has been substantial,” he stated in a news release. “Cancer hasn’t taken a break and continues to deeply affect millions of people.”
“Perhaps not since 1980 have we seen such a dire need for cancer research to ensure we can combat the negative effects of disrupted screenings, surgeries and interventions for years to come,” he said.
• Visit terryfox.org/run to register, sponsor a participant or give.
TERRY’S COURAGE
Canadian writer and editor Linda Pruessen is out with a new book called Canadian Courage, which includes a story about Terry Fox.
Published by HarperCollins Canada, the book features true stories of Canadians who have faced danger, adversity and injustice.
Besides the PoCo hero, there are also stories about Langley’s Erik Brown, the only North American diver who rescued boys trapped in a Thai cave, and Margaret Butler of Bowen Island who founded Amplify Girls to help young women in Rwanda access education.
