Do it for Terry

The memory and legacy of Terry Fox will live on again this Sunday when communities across Canada and around the world stage the annual walk/run that bears his name.
Set to go here for the 34th year (registration starts at 1 p.m. at the Sorting Gap Marina), kudos to the congregation of the Church of the Holy Spirit for their continued efforts to keep Terry’s “Marathon of Hope” alive after it was in real danger of falling by the wayside locally.
With so many worthy causes out there, “donor fatigue” is a challenge every group faces in trying to raise funds. From “Relay For Life” to “Ride for Memories,” and the myriad of other events, campaigns, and canvassing throughout the year, it can be difficult for people to decide which ones to support.
As a way to combat “donor fatigue,” groups constantly are looking at new and innovative ways to raise money. Case in point would be the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” which proved to be a highly-successful fundraiser for ALS over the summer that largely spread through social media.
In essence, the “Relay For Life” took the Terry Fox Run a step further by having teams walk around a track all night in a festive atmosphere combined with solemn reflection—and has become the premier cancer fundraiser locally in terms of participants and dollars.
But while the Terry Fox Run may be less glamorous by comparison, it still—to this day—epitomizes his indefatigable spirit in the face of a dreaded disease. And in fact, much of today’s fundraising efforts can be traced back to Terry, who took it upon himself to run across Canada in hopes of raising $1 from every Canadian for cancer research.
We all know Terry was unable to fulfill his dream, having to abandon his run near Thunder Bay when cancer again ravaged his body, but his heroic determination inspired millions—and certainly paved the way for other groups to pick up the torch for their respective causes.
Despite “donor fatigue,” district residents continue to answer the call—whether it’s for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, MS, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS, Easter Seals, or local health care.
This Sunday, let’s do it for Terry by supporting the Terry Fox Run.