The Terry Fox Run is returning to more than 650 cities, towns and villages across Canada for its 46th anniversary on Sunday. The event, which raises money for cancer research, is a national tradition which began on April 12, 1980, when Fox began his Marathon of Hope in St. John’s by dipping his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean. Fox was 18 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer, leading to the amputation of his leg. Fox continued his Marathon of Hope for 143 days until Sept. 1, 1980, when cancer returned. He died the following year on June 28, 1981, at the age of 22. “Within these 46 years, $1 billion has been raised in Terry’s name for cancer research,” says Jessie Alder, Terry Fox’s niece. “Terry had osteogenic sarcoma, but he wanted to make sure the money he was raising wasn’t going to just fund the cancer he had, but to fund all (cancer research). He wanted to eliminate the devastation that it causes Canadians every single year.” In the Maritimes, more than 100 runs will be held in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island on Sunday. “All of our Terry Fox Runs are unique to their communities,” says Krista O’Connor, the Terry Fox Foundation’s community director in Nova Scotia. “They all happen at different times of the day, and they all start a little bit differently. But for the most part, whether you want to walk, run, stroll, or roll, whatever, there will be some kind of registration present. You can still register and donate at your local run site.” The non-competitive event often includes a 1 km, 2.5 km and 5 km route for participants. Registration and donations can also be made online. The official day for the Terry Fox School Run is Sept. 28, although schools will be holding events throughout September and October. “Our goal is to have every school in Canada participating,” says Alder, who is also an ambassador for the Terry Fox Foundation. “It’s the next generation of generations to come who are also going to unite in support of Terry’s dream.”
