Canadians will be joined by people from 31 other countries this year when they take part in the annual Terry Fox Run.
Cancer survivor Patricia Shaw of Elliot Lake is the chair of this Sunday's local Terry Fox Run which will start at 11:00 a.m. from Westview Park in Elliot Lake. Registration gets underway at Westview at 10:00 a.m..
Shaw says the goal this year is to better 2018's fundraising effort which achieved just over $6,060 all-in, money earmarked to help fund cancer research. Since Terry Fox Runs started in 1980, they have raised some $715 million dollars worldwide.
Sept. 15 Elliot Lake participants will walk, run or cycle the 2.5 kilometre course up Milliken Mine Road to the intersection of Forest Tower Lookout Road and then return to Westview Park on Highway 108, for a total distance of 5 kilometres. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Elliot Lake has had a Terry Fox Run since 1988.
There will also be a fund-raising silent auction Sunday at the Moose Family Centre on Oakland Boulevard at 2:00 p.m., with successful bidders collecting their items at 3:00 p.m.. The Elliot Lake Lions Club will assist throughout along with providing a barbecue at Westview Park, as well.
Pledge forms are available if you call Patricia Shaw at 705-848-2262, or you can print your own online at www.terryfox.org.
Terry Fox Runs are now held in 32 countries worldwide. Terry Fox was the young Canadian who lost a leg to cancer in 1980 but ran across the country on his other leg to raise money for cancer research. He made it as far as Thunder Bay, some 143 days into his travels, before being forced to give it up. By that time the cancer had spread. Terry Fox died on June 28, 1981.