Terry Fox Run gearing up

Following an initial meeting earlier this month, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau is on the right track organizing the annual Terry Fox Run here next month with an ample supply of volunteers in place.
“Things are progressing quite nicely,” said bureau co-ordinator Vanessa Hebert, adding volunteers under former co-ordinator Joan Pearson have been very willing to get involved once again.
The event, slated for Sunday, Sept. 15, will begin with a registration at 1 p.m. at the Fort Frances Museum. The run itself will get underway at 2, with the route going from the museum to Pither’s Point and back.
“I’m looking forward to keeping Joan’s legacy going. She made it such a success in the past, it’s some big shoes to fill,” noted Hebert.
Last year, more than 200 people raised $13,013.82 for the Terry Fox Foundation, which donates money for cancer research.
“I’d like to be able to get at least that much,” said Hebert. “But my real goal is to get more people involved, and make it stick in people’s minds that this event is an annual one that supports a great cause.”
She added this year’s run is dedicated to Celeste Beck, the original owner of Celeste’s Hair Design for Men & Women here, who passed away from cancer in 1983.
“It’s a nice idea, but there’s so many people that passed away from cancer at that time,” said Beck’s daughter, Cindy Allan. “It should be dedicated to all those people.”
One new aspect this year is a fundraiser barbecue the volunteer bureau will hold on a yet-to-be determined pre-run date. Volunteers to work this pre-event are welcome to call the bureau at 274-9555.
As well, Ed Katona, who biked from Fort Frances to Winnipeg and back last year, also is planning another ride this year to raise funds for the event.
This time, he is looking at a three-day journey, and would like to find someone to make the trip with him. Herbert said anyone interested in joining the ride, or wanting more information about the Terry Fox Run, should contact the volunteer bureau (274-9555).
Pledge forms also are available at the volunteer bureau (located in the old CN station on Fourth Street West) as well as various other locations around town.
And the spirit of the cancer fundraiser already is spreading.
Pharmasave staff, for a second year in a row, are challenging any other business or organization to engage in a fundraising showdown for this year’s event.
Sabrina “Lightning” Stoessinger, Pharmasave employee and organizer of the “challenge campaign,” said Friday that staff there “would like to put some actual effort in this year” after raising about $3,000 between the downtown store and the Clinic Dispensary last year.
Pharmasave’s first challenge was one between the two locations.
“Pharmasave Downtown has grown tired of holding bragging rights over Clinic Pharmasave and as a result, both stores have joined forces to take on another competitor,” noted Stoessinger.
Pharmasave is challenging any group of people to raise more funds than they do by registration time—1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Those willing to accept the challenge can contact either Stoessinger or Nancy Kehler at 274-5383.
Both Pharmasave and Clinic Pharmasave have begun accepting pledges so the public is welcome to show their support at either location now.
Fox’s original “Marathon of Hope” across Canada took place in 1980 with the simple objective of raising the awareness of the critical need to find a cure for cancer.
He ran an average of 43 km a day for 143 days, but eventually was forced to end his cross-Canada journey near Thunder Bay due to the return of his cancer.
He finally succumbed to the disease in June, 1981.
Since then, participation in the Terry Fox Run has exploded in Canada and around the world.