Communities across northern Ontario and the country are gearing up for the 46th annual Terry Fox Run this weekend. The Terry Fox Foundation says 600 communities participate from coast to coast, and has raised $1 billion since it began 46 years ago. In Sudbury, Frances Summerhill, coordinator for the local run, is marking 40 years of organizing the event. “It’s kind of now a part of me, it’s almost part of who I am,” Summerhill said. “And Terry Fox, I mean, he’s truly one of our greatest Canadian heroes ever … He’s taught us so many lessons. He taught us courage and inspiration and commitment and that one person can make a difference.” Taking place at Bell Park, the Sudbury Terry Fox Run includes Terry’s Team Members, individuals wearing red shirts who have lived experience. “These are people who may be wearing a red Terry Fox shirt,” Summerhill said. “And these are people who are either in a cancer journey or have been through a cancer journey.” Fox’s niece, Jessie Alder, said some of her earliest memories involve participating in the Terry Fox Run with her family. “I do have a lot of memories of my grandma doing work for the foundation because she really spearheaded it,” Alder said. “I remember having pledge sheets. I remember counting coins at my grandma’s house every year … She started the tradition of signing thousands of thank you letters for the participants across the country. So I remember her kitchen table being stacked with thank you letters, and she would just be taking the time to sign every single one.” Alder has been working for the Terry Fox Foundation for 20 years. She said she realized her uncle’s impact when she got older. “Terry never wanted to be seen as a hero. And my family did a really great job in honouring that,” she said. “So it wasn’t until I was a bit older, maybe 16 or 17, and I gained that outside perspective that I kind of was able to understand what he did and the impact that he has on and other people.” Alder said the run has taken on a new meaning since she had a daughter, who is now four years old. “I always feel like it’s kind of Christmas for our family because we wait for it all year round,” she said. “There are nine of us -- Terry’s nieces and nephews -- and we’re all located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. So we participate in different runs all over.” Summerhill said she was inspired by Fox’s commitment to his cause, who continued with his cross-Canada run despite regularly being in pain. “He would get up at 4 a.m. It’d be dark, might be cold and rainy, and he’d be determined to do a marathon,” she said. “He’d be in a lot of pain, partly because of his prosthetic leg, but also because he did a marathon yesterday and he’s going to do another run tomorrow.” She said the run has grown locally and internationally. “There are over 35 countries involved,” Summerhill said. ‘Happier stories’ “I’m talking to more people with happier stories. People right now are living longer with cancer, and mortality rates are down. So that’s the big change. Research is working.” Summerhill said she still speaks to people who remember Fox running through Sudbury on Aug. 4, 1980. “It’s amazing the number of people I talked to that saw him,” she said. “But what’s really changed are the kids. I’ve met a couple of grandparents who’ve said that their kids are fascinated with Terry Fox. So, it continues, just stays with us.” While she said her uncle would be very proud of the work that’s been done, Alder said he’d still believe there was more to do. “I think Terry would be so incredibly happy that we’re still here, continuing his legacy. That money has gone to fund very impactful cancer research, but we’re not quite done yet,” she said. “If Terry was here, he would say, you know, we need more money. We’re not finished.” The Terry Fox Run takes place in North Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Timmins and Temiskaming Shores on Sept. 20. In Sudbury, registration at Bell Park begins at 9:30 a.m. The walk will start at 10:45 a.m.
