More than four decades after Canadian icon Terry Fox decided to run his Marathon of Hope in 1980 to raise money for cancer research, the fundraising tradition continues annually in towns and cities across the nation.
It’s often been said that everyone knows someone affected by cancer and in Yellowknife it was no exception on Sunday. On Terry Fox Day, participants gathered at the Multiplex arena to meet and walk for the annual Terry Fox Run.
Lloyd Henderson of Yellowknife said this year is the 41st year he has been participating in the event, and was accompanied by his family.
He said he does so as a tribute to his loved ones lost to the disease.
“Our family background has a lot of cancer. I always come to help out,” he said.
“My wife is volunteering. My daughter is here. I'll be walking with my granddaughter's husband and his daughter and my two great-grandsons — age three and five. And they’ve done the run with me every year since they were born.”
Loretta Ransom, a co-coordinator of the Terry Fox Run, said organizers were expecting 50 to 100 participants this year.
“We try and have this held in Yellowknife every year, when possible,” she said of the run.
“This year's theme is ‘No Matter What,’ Ransom said. “He persevered through snow, rain, sun, wind, and he had people with him, and he was also alone.
“So he did it no matter what, and we're here to support other cancer survivors and those impacted by cancer as well.”
Funds raised thus far for the event total more than $13,000.
Ransom said the run is something that’s important to many Canadians.
“I would say the majority of Canadians know who Terry Fox is, and it's nice to be able to bring everyone here today to celebrate in memory of him and to help raise money for cancer research.
“And we have a whole lot of volunteers here today who also have been super supportive and very helpful.”
