Terry Fox Run September 13

By Jim Gerwing

Ever think of taking part in the Terry Fox Run? Join communities across Canada on Sunday September 13 in the common cause of approaching Terry's dream of a world without cancer. Terry Fox has inspired both Canadians and the international community like few others have. What made him so special, and what makes the Terry Fox Run so special?

Perhaps the answer lies in the kind of people who have become involved. Unlike so many other fund-raisers, the Terry Fox Run has no corporate sponsors and does only the minimum expenditures on advertising or administration. In fact, over 87% of what people donate to the Terry Fox Foundation goes into cancer research. Most of the money comes from ordinary people who have little enough to donate and want to make every dollar count.

Starting at the Marathon of Hope's Mile Zero at Beacon Hill Park, the fun begins at 8:00am with registration and a short introduction. The actual run begins at 9:00am. Participants can walk, run, cycle, scoot, skateboard, go on wheelchairs, anything that moves. The entire distance is 5km and stays on Dallas Road all the way to St. Charles Street and back. Those who want to go 10km can simply do it twice. Police and volunteers will be on hand to keep the road clear of vehicular traffic. With Douglas Street remaining open, there will be no disruption of traffic flow in and out of James Bay.

Best of all this is a free event. No competition. No registration fee to enter the run. No advertising to blot out the sheer beauty of the area. Free food and water will be available for participants. At very little above cost, you can purchase mementos of the run.

Yes, by all means, the Terry Fox Foundation wants donations, needs donations. That is what the run is all about. In times of economic downturn, we try to pinch every penny before letting it slip out of our grasp. We want to be sure that our money goes as far as possible. Here is a cause we can rely on to stretch our dollars to the maximum to achieve a most worthy objective. Not a family in Canada has escaped the agony of watching loved ones succumb to cancer.

To register or donate online please visit . For more local information, contact Doug (250-480-8809) or Graham (250-884-2883) Lamb, who have been active in organizing the event each year in Victoria, or visit bcyukon@terryfoxrun.org.

Let's make sure that Victoria proudly shows that we will not let Terry's dream fade. A single dream. A world of hope.