Dear Terry… Windsor Terry Fox Run participants aim to keep Fox’s vision alive
WINDSOR, N.S. — Editor’s Note: Due to the storm system predicted for Nova Scotia, the Terry Fox Run has been postponed to Sept. 24. The date has been updated in this story to reflect that change.
This year’s slogan for the Terry Fox Run has people reflecting on what they would tell Fox more than four decades after his inspirational Marathon of Hope first started.
For Taya Shields, the long-time organizer of the Windsor Terry Fox Run, she would tell him of the impact he has had on generations of Canadians.
“If I could write a ‘Dear Terry…’ letter to him today, 43 years after he began his run, I would thank him for having the vision and determination to make his Marathon of Hope a reality,” said Shields.
“It has made such a difference in the lives of generations of cancer patients who have followed, and for those yet to be diagnosed with the disease.”
She said Fox only had a “trickle of support” when he first set out on his cross-country marathon. By the time he was halfway across Canada and had to be hospitalized because his cancer returned, Fox had already inspired countless people to pick up the torch.
“His positive spirit and determined approach can teach us all something. It goes beyond fundraising for cancer research, providing us all with a lens of hope and motivation during difficult times,” said Shields.
“Terry Fox’s vision of communities coming together to support each other, resonates with me. It is part of his story. I encourage everyone to pause and think about the message they would send to Terry if they could.”
Last year, the Windsor Terry Fox Run raised the most money in Nova Scotia, bringing in $52,444.30 for innovative cancer research. Since the Windsor run began, the area has raised more than $414,000.
While this year’s fundraising goal is $38,000, Shields says the Windsor Terry Fox Run transcends just raising money for a good cause. It’s about bringing together people, celebrating those who are still with us and remembering those who aren’t. There is no required donation amount to participate
This year’s Windsor Terry Fox Run takes place Sept. 24, starting at 11 a.m. The registration desk opens at 10 a.m. There is a five-kilometre loop through downtown Windsor, beginning and ending at King’s-Edgehill School’s campus. A barbecue will follow.
“We all know someone with a cancer diagnosis and this year I will be running with my mom, Virginia Walzak, in mind,” said Shields.
“She passed away in February after a short battle with cancer. She was a faithful participant in the Windsor run.”
Why run?
Angela Carmichael, a breast cancer survivor who sits on the Terry Fox Foundation board of directors, has participated in previous runs over the years, and started taking part annually in the Windsor Terry Fox Run in 2020 — the year her family moved to Martock and the pandemic resulted in the run being virtual.
Her children attend King’s-Edgehill School. That first year, Carmichael and her daughter Ali raised $2,400 in a few hours — showing the power of sharing their cancer story with others.
For Carmichael, participating in the day’s events means a lot.
“As a cancer survivor, I’m a direct beneficiary of cancer research,” said Carmichael.
“I am grateful to all who have given in the past to help fund research, I’m grateful to the people who are in labs searching for a cure, I’m grateful for the medical community who supported my family. This is the best way for us to give thanks and pay it forward.”
Carmichael said Fox is a national hero — an everyday person who did something extraordinary and has inspired others to carry on where he left off.
“I run because Terry asked Canadians to not give up on his dream until we found a cure,” said Carmichael. “And with every minute of every day, we are making inroads; so, I run and raise money because I actually believe we can find a cure.”
She said the current statistics are staggering, with one in every two Canadians receiving a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. But, like Fox, she remains optimistic there will be a cure for cancer.
“The Terry Fox Foundation, along with other major cancer charities are working together to build a national network that will connect the top cancer researchers, institutions and care facilities to enhance inter-institutional and inter-provincial cancer research collaboration,” Carmichael said.
In December 2022, the Atlantic Cancer Consortium was officially designated a member of the Marathon of Hope Cancer Network.
“That means, the money that gets donated from the Terry Fox Run is having real impact in our local communities,” Carmichael said.
“The work that will now happen as this network grows across Canada is incredible and revolutionary. It will speed up treatment options, it will increase cancer research capacity, but even better, it will generate better treatment options around precision medicine for Atlantic Canadians who are living with cancer.”
Whether donating $1 or $10,000, both Carmichael and Shields say it helps the foundation get closer to achieving Fox’s dream of a world without cancer.
“It is a feel-good kind of day and I would encourage new folks and those who haven’t taken part in years, to lace up and ‘be a part of the cure,’” said Shields.
If you go
What: Windsor Terry Fox Run
Where: Starts and ends at King’s-Edgehill School campus in Windsor.
When: Sunday, Sept. 24; registration desk opens at 10 a.m. There’s a barbecue to follow the five-kilometre loop around Windsor.
Why: Terry Fox was a young man with cancer who was moved to do something after being hospitalized and seeing children inflicted with the disease. He started running across Canada to raise awareness of and money for cancer research. Although he died before completing his journey, his positive sprit and message inspired Canadians to take up the cause. This year marks the 43rd Marathon of Hope.
2023 theme: “Dear Terry. . .”
Factoid: Since the Windsor Terry Fox Run was first held in 1985, the community has raised more than $414,000. More than $850 million has been raised worldwide.
Carole Morris-Underhill is the lead editor of the Valley Journal-Advertiser. She can be reached by email at carole.morris-underhill@
