COCHRANE— Despite another year under a virtual format, Cochranites are sure to break a sweat raising awareness and monies for cancer research at the Terry Fox Run on Sunday (Sept. 19).
A route will be set around Mitford Park the day of the virtual run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate anyone who wishes to utilize it. The beauty of hosting it virtually also means that anyone can run anywhere and at any time, said Lesley Hunt, event organizer of the Terry Fox Run.
“The model they [The Terry Fox Foundation] came up with in 2020 was ‘One day. Your way,’” said Hunt. “People can pick any day of the week and make up a team to be sponsored or just donate themselves and there’s no pressure. You can bring your dog, or just do a kilometre, or ride your bike — it isn’t so regimented.”
Losing his leg at the age of 18 to osteogenic sarcoma and witnessing the suffering in cancer wards firsthand, Fox decided to start running across Canada in a Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research in 1980. He was forced to stop after running 5,373 kilometres when the cancer returned in his lungs. To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $850 million to fund cancer research.
Similar to last year’s virtual event, posters for the event around town will have a QR code on display which redirects to the Cochrane donation page on The Terry Fox Foundation website to allow for anyone to easily make a contactless donation as they pass by.
T-shirts will also be available for purchase the day of the Terry Fox Run at Mitford Park and are for sale on The Terry Fox Foundation website, with 75 per cent of the proceeds going to the Foundation. This year’s t-shirt design took inspiration from a discovery made about the Fox family’s heritage — Fox’s maternal grandmother was Marian Gladue, a Métis woman. Honouring this history, the family liaised with Métis Nation BC to create the 2021 Terry Fox Run t-shirt.
Celebrating Fox’s heritage, the design illustrates a traditional Métis floral beading by Métis artist Mal Blondeau of a prairie crocus, representing Manitoba and a wild prairie rose, representing North Dakota, to honour the land where his ancestors lived. The front of shirt reads the foundation’s mission “for cancer research,” in English, French and the traditional Métis language, Michif. The back also reads “Try Like Terry” in all three languages, in honour of his extraordinary effort.
The Foundation also provided organizers with a Tip-Tap machine this year, another convenient donation tool that’s made its way around town through various local businesses including Cochrane Coffee Traders, Sunny Side Up, Ducks on the Roof, finally completing the last leg of its journey at the Cochrane Public Library where it will stay until Sept. 19.
“The machine has three spots on it — $5, $10 and $20 — anyone can take a debit or credit card and just tap their card against the sign to donate,” she said. “One hundred per cent of the proceeds go directly to The Terry Fox Foundation.”
“It’s really nice to see that the small business owners were so willing to help us raise the money, so shoutout to them.”
A map of the route at Mitford Park is on the Cochrane Terry Fox Run Facebook page and signage will also be placed on pathways to help steer participants in the right direction.
Hunt said she also plans to get to the park early the day of the run to draw chalk art along the route with distance markers and words of encouragement, including quotes from Fox.
The Cochrane Public Library also has their own team to raise money and is currently showcasing various books about Fox, for all different ages, in the form of a pyramid display inside their front entrance.
As of Monday, Sept. 13 the ‘Cochrane AB’ Terry Fox Run team had raised $1,825 for cancer research. Last year’s virtual edition of run raised $6,100. As per the group’s donation page on The Terry Fox Foundation website, this year’s goal is to raise $18,500.
To donate or create your own fundraising team visit: terryfox.org/.
