People across Ontario and the entire country will be lacing up their running shoes this Sunday for the annual Terry Fox Run to raise money for cancer research, honouring the legacy of one of Canada’s most beloved sons.
Terry Fox, of Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, was just 18 when he was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1977 and had to have his right leg amputated. When he was in hospital, he saw the suffering of other cancer patients and it was there that he came up with the idea to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.
On April 12, 1980, Fox started his Marathon of Hope run across Canada. Tragically, the cancer forced him to stop just outside Thunder Bay a few months later. He passed away the following year at the age of 22.
Since that time, Canadians – including many OPSEU members – run every year in Terry’s memory to continue to raise money for cancer research. And his message of hope has reached almost every corner of the globe.
It’s almost impossible to find someone whose life has not been touched by cancer in some way. That’s why the Terry Fox Run is so important. At OPSEU, we encourage our members to get involved in events and causes that make the world a better place. The Terry Fox Run shows us all what one person with a dream can do.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida, First Vice-President/Treasurer