Ottawa’s annual Terry Fox Run, which was held at Carleton’s Anniversary Park on Sept. 17, raised $235,000 for cancer research, surpassing its initial goal of $200,000.
Despite sweltering temperatures, about 2,500 participants came out to the 37th annual event to celebrate Terry Fox’s legacy and raise money for cancer research initiatives, Melanie Griffin, one of the organizers, said.
The Terry Fox Foundation partnered with Carleton’s chapter of Terry’s CAUSE on Campus to host the event.
Participants could select a five-kilometre or 10-kilometre route through campus.
According to Griffin, the majority of money raised will go directly to supporting cancer research initiatives.
“The Terry Fox Foundation has very low overhead so upwards of 82 cents per dollar goes to research, [as] opposed to some other charities where it’s only 50 cents on the dollar,” she said.
The foundation’s website states that the organization’s main goal is to fund “innovative cancer research.” It adds that all runs are organized by volunteers and have no corporate sponsors.
The run honour the legacy of Terry Fox, a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research advocate who embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
Dr. Rebecca Auer, a surgical oncologist from the Ottawa Health and Research Institute, praised the foundation for its fundraising efforts as a speaker at the event, explaining how vital the money is in the face of less government funding for cancer research.
Hilary Barton, a Terry Fox Run athlete from Mississauga, said this year’s event marked her 35th annual run. She said this year, she raised $2,900 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
“. . . We’ve all lost people to cancer. I lost my cousin last year to cancer and she was only 62, so it just means a lot to me,” Barton said.
According to Barton, even being on a cruise didn’t stop her from participating one year.
“I just wore my Terry Fox shirt and I did 15 laps around the promenade deck,” she said.
Meanwhile, eight-year-old Josh Libman completed his second Terry Fox Run with his father, Bruce Libman. The father-son-duo said they were running to keep active and raise money for cancer research.
Gabrielle Fecteau, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2015 at the age of 19, also spoke at the event about her continued involvement in the community. As of 2017, Gabrielle is now a “cancer thriver” and remains an active member of the cancer community through her blog “Soar Above Canada”.
Michaela Kelly, president of Carleton’s chapter of Terry’s CAUSE on Campus, told The Charlatan in August that Terry Fox’s legacy has endured since his Marathon of Hope first took place 35 years ago.
“Terry Fox is a meaningful Canadian symbol, and his legacy continues to thrive and inspire,” she said.
Barton said she would continue to participate in the run for many more years because it is a great cause.
“. . . It’s lovely to see more and more families getting involved,” she said.
