Keeping Terry’s dream running
Terry Fox was more than just your average guy.
What he did, doctors and scientists said, was impossible. Passing through six provinces and clocking up more than 5,000 kilometres, Fox ran close to a marathon per day for 144 days, all on one leg.
He achieved the impossible.
“He clearly had an inner strength that was beyond normal,” said Isadore Sharp, Four Seasons CEO and founder of the Terry Fox Run. “He is such a phenomenon.”
Honouring Fox’s Marathon of Hope, the event is held every year on the second Sunday following Labour Day with a focus on families.
“It really demonstrates what Terry Fox accomplished,” Sharp said. “People see that this is a young man who literally gave his life for a greater cause.”
Since 1992, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts have raised over $14 million US from 16 countries for the worthy cause. Proceeds from the run are donated to the country they were raised for cancer research.
“As an organization the Terry Fox Run has momentum on its own and I simply act as a director and support it like I always have,” Sharp said. “This has now become an international event and we have people working on it full time, 12 months a year.”
In 2002, there were 620 marathons in 53 countries. The runs are organized by Canadian embassies, high commissions, consulates, the Canadian military along with anti-cancer organizations and individuals. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people participate internationally.
After losing his right leg to cancer, the Port Coquitlam native Fox decided to embark on a run across Canada to raise funds for research. Sharp pledged $10,000 and challenged 999 other Canadian companies to follow suit.
“At the time people weren’t taking his cause seriously,” said Sharp. “He called me on a highway telephone booth and told me, as long as one person cares enough that’s all he needs to keep going.”
The run is the largest single-day cancer fundraiser in the world.
Thank you for keeping Terry’s dream alive and for reminding everyone that after 29 years, the Terry Fox Run is still relevant and an important (and oldest) cancer fundraising event.
In keeping with Terry’s vision, the Terry Fox Run is a leader in fundraising accountability. Over 92% of every dollar raised by the Terry Fox Foundation funds relevant Cancer Research. Less than 2% is used for administration / salaries.
You can participate in this year’s Terry Fox Run on Sunday September 13, 2009 at Wilket Creek Park (Leslie and Eglinton). You can run, walk, ride or bike 2km, 5km or 10km anytime from 9 am to 2 pm. There is no registration fee and no minimum donation required.