Terry Fox had a dream. To fight cancer. And win.
After losing his leg to cancer at the young age of 18, he dedicated his life to raise awareness of this deadly disease and to raise money for cancer research.
He decided to turn an improbable dream into reality – to run across Canada raising money for cancer research.
Two years later, Terry began a cross-country marathon in my home province of Newfoundland. With fierce determination and hope, Terry ran an average of 42 km each day, every day for 143 days, through 6 provinces for a total of 5,373 kilometres.
Terry ran his last day on September 1, 1980, in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Terry wanted the marathon of hope to keep on going without him.
The reality is nearly 2 in 5 people in Canada will develop cancer during their lifetime and about 1 in 4 Canadians are expected to die from cancer.
The Terry Fox Foundation continues Terry’s mission of funding cancer research. Terry believed in science and gave his life to help others.
Every year Canadians participate in the Terry Fox Run in his honour, and to raise money for cancer research. To date the Terry Fox Organization has raised over $850 Million!
Here in North Grenville, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who organize the Kemptville run. Since their first organized run in 1985, the community has raised nearly $350,000!
The 43rd annual Terry Fox Run will take place Sunday, September 17th – a day filled with hope and inspiration from and for Canadians everywhere.
Meet at the track behind St. Mike’s. Registration begins at 9:00am and the run begins at 10:00am. Participants can choose to walk, run or bike a 2, 5 or 10 km route through the Ferguson Forest.
While Terry lost the battle to the deadly disease, his passion and legacy live on. He is a household name and Canadians will not forget his incredible story of defiance and determination. Across Canada, schools and streets are named after him.
We have all been affected by cancer. Terry’s story and passion gives us hope – to realize a world without cancer.
Council has declared Sunday, September 17th as Terry Fox Run Day and will fly the Terry Fox Flag from Sept 13 to Sept 17th inclusive.
