Terry Fox Run

Today, as thousands have done for the last 30 years, we will run, walk, jog and cycle for Terry. We will continue his marathon of Hope for him. We will walk and remember those loved ones of ours, our friends and family members who has fought and beaten cancer. We will with quiet reflection think of those who fought bravely but lost the battle with this disease. A disease that has affected everyone and touched all our lives.

I also look at it as a day to celebrate the life of a Canadian hero. Terry Fox, a man who united us with a run 30 years ago. His dream was to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He started in Newfoundland in April, made his way across the Atlantic Provinces, into Quebec and Ontario. He was in Halton Hills for 3 days in July 1980.

Most of us will never run a marathon; most of us will never have to have the courage to face the loss of a limb like Terry did. Losing his leg to cancer at 18. Most of us will know of friends and family members who will take treatment and battle cancer. Some of us will have to face that battle ourselves.

Imagine if you will getting up everyday, getting dressed and hitting the road bright and early. Imagine strapping on an artificial leg and setting out to run over 20 miles. In the cold, the rain, the sun and the early morning fog. Terry averaged 26 miles a day for 143 days, a total of 3,339 miles. Terry loved the early morning peace and tranquility.

I recall the bright sunny morning he came into Acton on July 22nd 1980. My brother Dave and I went down to see him. We stood across from the Cenotaph, a place that now we stand for other events in our Town. Dave has pointed out to his children the photo of us they have there of us in the background as Terry passed by.

My Aunt and Uncle had the great good fortune of having Terry stay at there house when he ran threw Whitby. About 5 years ago my Mother bought at their auction sale one of the original Marathon of Hope t shirts. Which had been stored away at the house and discovered after they had both passed. She donated it to the Terry Fox Foundation office in Toronto.

Halton Hills has a long history of support for the run. Over $650,000 has been raised in Acton over the last 30 years. A true testament to the compassion of the citizens here. The run organisers spend many house and all have a passion for the promotion of the run, but also Terry’s goals. A special tip of the hat to Jon Hurst and the whole Hurst family. They have been tireless in their efforts.
I have been at the Terry Fox Monuments in St. Johns, Thunder Bay, Ottawa and Victoria


Donations can be made online at Terryfox.org or by visiting the local run site. We must remember the words Terry used when he approached the Cancer Society for support as he planned his run
“Somewhere the hurting must stop”