Aurora
September 02, 2007 07:11 AM
By: Teresa Latchford
Dig out your running shoes and dust them off for the 27th annual Terry Fox Run.
On Sept. 16, communities across Canada will gather to follow in the foot- steps of Canadian hero Terry Fox to raise money for cancer research.
Mr. Fox was only 18 when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a form of bone cancer and was forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres above the knee in 1977.
While in the hospital surrounded by many young children with cancer, he made a decision to run across Canada to raise money for research. His journey was soon named the Marathon of Hope.
To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research through annual Terry Fox Runs.
Aurora Terry Fox Run committee member Richard Boyne has been involved for the past 10 years.
He enjoys seeing the community come together to give something back , even though he admits the event is bittersweet.
“It is sweet to raise money for the cause,” he explained. “But it is bitter at the same time as most who are participating have been touched by cancer in one way or another.”
With less than two weeks before the event, committee members, volunteers and organizers are feeling the crunch. Although planning is done on a continuum, four months before the run the committee pulls together and delegates tasks.
“There is a whole behind the scenes thing that happens which most people don’t realize,” he added.
“Everything from putting up the signs to taking down the signs has to be planned.”
In past years, the event has had anywhere from 200 to 500 participants.
Mr. Boyne encourages people to bring family and friends with at least three pledges.
Aurora will host its event at Sheppard’s Bush Soccer Fields off Industrial Parkway South from 9 a.m. to noon.
King City will also be joining communities across the country in memory of Mr. Fox.
King City will hold their event at Wellesley Park on the northwest corner of Keele Street and King Sideroad. This event is also wheelchair, rollerblade and bicycle accessible with one and five-kilometre routes available.
To find out more information or to download a pledge form, visit www.terryfoxrun.org.