Terry Fox Run raises hundreds of thousands for cancer research

In Barrie on Sunday, the Terry Fox Run saw upwards of 700 people take part, raising more than $82,000 before it even began.

It was the annual Terry Fox Run on Sunday, which saw more than 600 communities across the country take part in the Canadian tradition, including those in Simcoe Muskoka.

2025 marks 45 years since Terry Fox began the ‘Marathon of Hope,’ running across Canada to raise funds for cancer research.

While Fox’s journey fell short, his initiative is still going strong four-and-a-half decades later, with the Terry Fox Run raising more than $850 million since 1980.

In Barrie Sunday morning, upwards of 700 took part in the annual run, raising more than $82,000 before it even began.

“I’ve never seen it like this,” said Marilyn Nigro, the run organizer, in a phone call with CTV News, adding that she is confident they will exceed their $100,000 goal.

In Orillia, hundreds more helped the run exceed $43,000 as of Sunday afternoon, surpassing its goal of $35,323. It also surpassed the cumulative $1 million mark with last year’s run.

“Orillia has always been a supportive community of the Terry Fox Run,” said Alison Stoneman, organizer for the Orillia run. “There’s not a better example of a Canadian than Terry Fox. He had integrity and determination and grit and honesty. He was just a regular guy. He kept telling us ‘I’m just a regular guy, anybody can do this.’ And he asked us to continue in his name until we finish (his mission), and so we are.”

Debbie Imboden, an Orillia runner and cancer survivor, says she has been taking part in the Terry Fox Run since elementary school.

“He was a Canadian hero and I want to give back,” said Imboden. “I’m lucky, I’m seven years cancer free. But there are a lot of other people who can still use some great research. We’ve done a lot in terms of development and in terms of cancer treatment, but we have a long way to go.”

Here are other notable amounts raised from the Terry Fox Run throughout the region as of Sunday afternoon, according to TerryFox.ca:

• Aurora: More than $17,000 ($12,500 goal achieved)
• Bracebridge: More than $18,000
• Bradford: More than $21,000 ($8,700 goal achieved)
• CFB Borden: More than $10,000 ($6,900 goal achieved)
• Collingwood: More than $23,000 ($19,700 goal achieved)
• Georgina: More than $17,000
• Gravenhurst: More than $9,000 ($4,300 goal achieved)
• Heart of Georgian Bay (Tiny Twp.): More than $61,000
• Huntsville: More than $37,000 ($27,500 goal achieved)
• King City: More than $10,000 ($2,200 goal achieved)
• Meaford: More than $17,000
• Newmarket: More than $79,000
• Orangeville: More than $25,000
• Owen Sound: More than $14,000

Most will continue accepting donations this week.