“Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue.” – Terry Fox

It is hard to believe that it was 35 years ago this weekend that our family of four participated in the first Terry Fox Run at Canatara Park in Sarnia. Each of us felt compelled to continue Terry’s run on that sunny fall day, as he had become part of our family. His selfless Marathon of Hope has inspired a generation world-wide to take up his torch to run, walk, or wheel our way to raise money to help find a cure for cancer.

In previous years I have participated in the Toronto Beaches Terry Fox Run on the wonderful boardwalk. On this rainy day, I actually got to walk my 10 K in Terry’s hometown of Port Coquitlam. It was the closest run to my new home and for me, a perfect place to walk and reflect on the journey cancer has taken our family on in recent years. My sister Jen is now a breast cancer survivor, thank goodness. And just this July, cancer took our dear Dad, Jack, from us. We are still recovering.

Part of the process of healing took place today. I know Jen and her family just participated in their hometown of Alvinston, Ontario. This small community of big hearts raised over $26,000 today! Here in BC, I left the apartment very early this morning as I knew I needed some time and space for my walk, and the Port Coquitlam run was bound to be a busy one. Luckily for me the volunteer registration tent was open two hours early and so I started, and ended, my journey before the official run began. Many of you saw the pictures I shared along the way. The route started in leafy Hyde Creek Park, followed a main artery through an industrial area, and then lead me to the Terry Fox Library where I found the moving, oft photographed, memorial statue of Terry to mark the run’s half way point. You can see this statue in my photo above. The plaque at the base of the statue shares one of Terry’s many inspirational quotes: “All you need is will, you don’t have to be gifted, and your dreams will come through if you try.” A simple message that helped me continue my journey on this day when many tears flowed. Terry was right. “Somewhere the hurting must stop.”

I know each of us has been touched by this awful, unforgiving thing called cancer. It must end! If you would like to donate, I would be most grateful! You can find my sponsorship page here. Let’s help Terry continue his run together!