“I’m not a dreamer, and I’m not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to:” were the words written by a true Canadian hero.
Terry Fox had a single dream: a world without cancer. He sought to reach out to every corner of Canada, and beyond, when he embarked on his Marathon of Hope.
Terry Fox ran the equivalent of a marathon a day for 143 days straight, on one leg, to raise awareness for the need for research funding.
When his own cancer spread, he was forced to stop running.
This year marks the 37th annual Terry Fox Run and Canada’s 150th anniversary. Williams Lake is seeking a motivated, compassionate volunteer run organizer to continue Terry’s legacy in the community. What better way to celebrate Canada’s anniversary than volunteering for Williams Lake’s Terry Fox Run?
For the past 31 years, Terry Fox has inspired generations in Williams Lake, uniting the community through a cause that has touched each one of us at one point or another.
Williams Lake has been hosting a Terry Fox Run since 1985, contributing to the more than $750 million that has been raised, worldwide in Terry’s name, in support of impressive and vital progress made in cancer research over the past three decades. As the volunteer run organizer, responsibilities would include recruiting committee members, confirming the route, promoting the run, and overseeing run day activities. The time commitment ranges from two to four hours weekly during the months leading up to the National Run Day, which is on Sunday, Sept. 17 this year.
Whether as a couple or individual, the volunteer run organizer would always be assisted by the Terry Fox Foundation in the planning process, and given the resources to make it a success.
Fast forward to today, and cancer research has taken off like never before with organizations such as the Terry Fox Foundation leading the charge. The Terry Fox Foundation is proud of the 84 cents of every dollar raised that goes directly to cancer research initiatives.
The run itself is an all-inclusive, family fun event by donation and there is no minimum fundraising requirement. Participants are encouraged to run, bike, or rollerblade to the finish line.
“It would be such a shame for the people of Williams Lake to miss out on an opportunity to keep Terry’s legacy alive as every community, no matter how big or small can make a huge impact, just as Terry learned in 1980 when a small town of 10,000 people raised over $10,000,” said Donna White, provincial director for the Terry Fox Foundation BC and Yukon. “The Terry Fox Foundation funds research in all kinds of cancer, believing as Terry did, that we need to conquer this disease once and for all”, explains Donna. With the help from people all across the world, money fundraised in Terry’s name has made The Terry Fox Foundation a national investor in cancer research.
Terry said: “It’s one thing to run across Canada, but now, people are really going to know what cancer is.”
Today we know more about cancer more than ever, and we have Terry to thank for that. So let us celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary by making the 37th annual Terry Fox Run the biggest one to date. To volunteer or for more information contact provincial director Donna White with the Terry Fox Foundation BC and Yukon at 1-888-836-9786 or at donna.white@terryfoxrun.org.