If every resident of Ladysmith chipped in one dollar, the community would raise more than $8,000 for the 35th Annual Terry Fox Run Sept. 20.
They would also realize Terry’s dream, on a local scale, of raising a dollar for each Canadian during his 1980 Marathon of Hope.
That’s the challenge that has been posed to municipal colleagues by the mayors Ron Stewart of Coquitlam; Mike Clay, Port Moody; and Greg Moore, Port Coquitlam.
“We officially challenge you and your community to raise $1 for each resident in the place you call home,” says their release on the Terry Fox web site.
Mayor Aaron Stone is urging people to get on board for Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. when Ladysmith’s Terry Fox Run sets out from the Frank Jameson Community Centre (registration begins at 10 a.m.).
A 2.5 kilometre route will be staked out and participants can complete the circuit up to four times, helping to reach the municipality’s ‘stretch goal.’
Organizers are hoping the runs 35th Anniversary will help boost participation and donations. The Town of Ladysmith’s Parks and Recreation Department has been organizing the run for 30 years, and are finding it harder to hit targets these days.
“We used to see upwards of 300 people come out each year,” said Community Services Coordinator Anita McLeod. “Numbers are down to around 100 annually for the Ladysmith run.”
What can a dollar from each of us achieve?
For McLeod the legacy of Terry Fox lives on – he ran a marathon a day, during his run, until a recurrence of his cancer forced him to stop his cross-Canada run.
She lost her father to prostate cancer in November last year.
“My dad participated every year for over 20 years in the Vancouver run at Stanley Park, and died in November last year of prostate cancer at the age of 88,” she said.
“He lived with cancer for much longer than he might otherwise have, thanks to the efforts of the Terry Fox Foundation and their innovative cancer research initiatives.”
There will be a giant poster on site at this years Terry Fox run for people to write down why they are running. “I’ll be there for my dad,” McLeod said.
Most people in Canada and throughout the world have been touched by cancer. That’s why it’s important to keep the run going until cures are found.
“The main message is Terry’s idea of pursuing your goals, overcoming staggering challenges, going a step at a time, doing what you can for a good cause.” McLeod said.
In short, leading by following in Terry Fox’s footsteps.