Terry Fox Hometown Run

Yesterday was a gorgeous sunny day in our parts, perfect for the Terry Fox 2008 Hometown Run. Our family believes strongly in participating in this run because cancer has touched my family, and Terry Fox is from our town.

A few years ago the CBC asked "Who is the Greatest Canadian?" In our books, it is Terry Fox. I think the medicare guy, Tommy Douglas, (and Kiefer Sutherland's grandfather), got #1 in the votes.

Terry set a goal to run across Canada, on one leg, and raise $1/canadian to give to research to find a cure for Cancer. Terry said "I want to set an example no one will forget." Sadly, only 1/2 half way across Canada, Terry had to abandon the run when it was found that Cancer had spread to his lungs. He died 9 months later, almost 23 years old.
To learn more about Terry's story, and his 28 year legacy, check here: http://www.terryfoxrun.org/english/home/default.asp?s=1


So yesterday, we hopped on our bikes and went to the run. This year we biked the 10Km route. We were inspired before the run by speeches and music. The highlight is usually Betty Fox's, Terry's mom, speech, but I didn't hear her this year. As always, Rick Hansen - another inspiring hero, spoke and reminded us of who Terry was, what he stood for, and why 5000 of us had gathered to run in his memory.

My kids are still collecting pledges for Terry at school... let me know if you'd like to donate!

Here's a memory board of who people were running for. I noticed that Spencer Dolling, a former student at my school who died last May, was remembered. We ran in honour of him in June at the Children's Hospital Childrun.

And finally, the official Start-Finish line marker. It always has fresh flowers on the day of the Run.