When I was a young girl, I remember standing on the overpass on West Street in Orillia with a crowd of many people waiting for the Terry Fox to run by. It was such an amazing experience to see Terry run by me. I was so impressed, proud of him and remember thinking that he was an amazing human being. In June 28, 1981, when Terry died, I was 9 years old and I remember watching his funeral on television and bawling my eyes out.
I was on the cross-country running team in high school although I don’t think I ever was a great runner. I took up running a few years ago and ran a half marathon and also a half marathon walk. Terry was such an inspiration to so many people.
I have had personal loss through cancer, not the same cancer as Terry but as far as I am concerned, any cancer is unwanted. My Uncle Don died twelve years ago and he was like my second dad, many memories of holidays and summer outings. This still upsets me and I think of him often. He developed lung cancer followed by three brain tumours and unfortunately on May 28, 2003, he passed away. He didn’t get to be a part of my wedding or the birth of my three daughters and all because of the nasty “C” word.
My father’s friend Paul died of cancer a few years ago as well and he was one of the greatest people you would have ever met. A family member was diagnosed with cancer last year but fought it and won.
When I saw a post that the Terry Fox Foundation was looking for a volunteer organizer for the Terry Fox Run in Aurora, I immediately said yes. This was an event I could not say no to; Terry was such an inspiring and amazing person that I had to help continue his fight, his journey. Terry always said that if each Canadian could give a dollar it would make a huge difference in cancer research.
For Terry, my Uncle Don, friend Paul, and all people who have ever had cancer or members of your family who died from cancer, I will dedicate this event to all of you. For those still fighting, don’t give up. Keep fighting.
The Terry Fox Run will be held in Aurora, Ontario on September 20th, 2015. If you would like to participate or like more information, please visit the Terry Fox Foundation at http://www.terryfox.org/
The Terry Fox Foundation; Working together to outrun cancer!
