For its fortieth anniversary, the annual Terry Fox Run is coming to southeast Manitoba, including Niverville and the communities of Ritchot. The event will take place on Sunday, September 20—and, like so many events scheduled this year, will take place virtually, with runners uniting in spirit if not in person.
“Families can participate safely wherever they’d like—around the block, through the neighbourhood, or in their own backyard,” says Breanne Nemez, an events coordinator for the Terry Fox Foundation. “This also means that, for the first time, Niverville residents can participate from their hometown.”
Nemez points out that this year’s virtual event provides opportunities for people in communities who in the past may not have had their own volunteer organizer to launch an official event.
“Whether families choose to walk, ride, swim or skateboard,” Nemez says, “the common goal will be to raise much-needed funds for Canadian cancer research and to honour Terry’s 40-year legacy.”
In 1980, Manitoba-born Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope and brought Canadians together to help improve the lives of those battling cancer. Canadians have since raised more than $800 million for cancer research in Terry’s name.
When Terry set out on his run four decades ago, cancer research in Canada was severely underfunded.
“Terry said, ‘Anything is possible if you try,’ and this is what Canadians have done, by stepping up to finish what he began, and helping to fund over 1,200 innovative research projects through annual Terry Fox Runs and Terry Fox School Runs,” Nemez adds. “As a result, the outcomes for cancer patients have improved significantly, with research highlights including a predictive model for the early detection of lung cancer, and targeted treatments and therapies through molecular profiling of specific tumours found in young cancer patients. The Terry Fox Run was able to fund 47 Canadian research projects in the last fiscal year, including a project here in Manitoba.”
In an effort to support the virtual run, a new Terry Fox Foundation app was launched on July 28 to keep users inspired and connected while they work to achieve their fitness and fundraising goals.
“Terry always wanted every person to be able to participate, no matter their age, ability, or fitness level, which is why the run is non-competitive with no minimum distance required,” says Nemez. “Families are invited to register for the 2020 event and unite in spirit with Canadians from coast, to coast, to coast with a common goal to end cancer.”
