(Terry Fox Run Red Deer)

By Sheldon Spackman

Four Decades Of Hope

40th annual Terry Fox Run goes virtual this weekend

Sep 18, 2020 | 9:11 AM

Red Deerians are joining thousands of Canadians from across the country this weekend in taking part in the 40^th annual Terry Fox Run.

The run held annually in support of cancer research is being done virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Sunday, Sept. 20, participants are encouraged to run from wherever you are – whether it be around your neighbourhood, backyard, down the street, or around the block.

You can register as an individual, family or a virtual team in honour of Fox and his legendary Marathon of Hope.

The fundraising goal for Red Deer’s Run this year is $15,000 with over 43 per cent of that having been raised as of Thursday.

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Loretta Winia with the Red Deer organizing committee says all the money raised goes to the Terry Fox Foundation.

“They operate their own research organization now, so a lot of cancer research is being done by them and it’s totally funded through all the donations that are raised across the country,” she explains. “Often times, it comes back to local cancer hospitals. Calgary and Edmonton have benefitted from some of the Terry Fox Research.”

In addition to this year’s virtual run, Red Deer’s City Hall will be lighting up in blue on Saturday night, Sept 19 until sunrise Sept 20 to honour the 40th Anniversary of the Marathon of Hope and Terry Fox.

The Kadar family are dedicated Terry Fox Run supporters and this year have already done their walk, reinforcing the “One Day, Your Way” theme for this year’s virtual run. (Supplied)

“My nephew succumbed to the same kind of cancer that Terry Fox had, and I’ve been involved ever since,” shares Winia. “I think that all the people that get involved in the Terry Fox Run have experienced cancer with a family member or a friend. I mean, you can’t see or talk to anyone these days that hasn’t been touched in some way by cancer.”

You can click here to register for the virtual Red Deer Terry Fox Run.

A Terry Fox app allows participants to link up with each other, track steps and position participants on a virtual map that mimics their own journey across Canada.

Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope on Apr. 12, 1980 when he dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean in St. John’s Newfoundland. He was forced to stop his Marathon of Hope, however, near Thunder Bay, Ontario on Sept. 1 after running through six provinces.

Fox passed away in New Westminster, B.C. on June 28, 1981 at the age of 22.

To date, over $750 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.

Mayor Tara Veer has issued an official proclamation in honour of the Terry Fox Run in Red Deer.