I had the privilege of organizing the 2008 Terry Fox Run held in Whitehorse.
It was my first experience organizing a large event in the Yukon and to have the opportunity to see firsthand so many people coming together to make it a success was pretty incredible.
Many have asked me why I decided to take on the responsibility of putting on this year’s run.
Initially, I stepped forward because of the bleak attendance at last year’s run.
You see, Terry Fox has always been an inspiration to me.
It stems from when I was just eight years old.
That year my Mom took me to see cancer-stricken amputee, Steve Fonyo, successfully complete his cross-Canada run in Victoria.
I still remember her telling me that day about a young courageous Canadian named Terry Fox who first tried to run across the country.
We all know the story.
Just 21 years-old, Fox decides he is going to run a marathon a day crossing Canada’s 5,300 miles all in a selfless effort to raise money for cancer research.
Sadly, just outside Thunder Bay, his run abruptly ends when the cancer returns, this time to his lungs.
Less than a year later he would pass away, but his fierce determination and bravery did not go unnoticed.
Every morning at 5:30 a.m., he would rise — rain or shine — and before the end of the day complete a 42-kilometre run; day in and day out for 143 straight days.
Because of that implausible effort, Fox planted the seed of awareness, if you will, in so many Canadians and, with that, the annual Terry Fox Run was born.
So I guess seeing only 70 or so participants take part last year in Whitehorse really hit a chord with me and I made a point of saying I could help in 2008 and, sure enough, they took me up on the offer.
As a first-time organizer, I admit I was little naïve about the task ahead of me.
Thankfully, the amount of volunteers and businesses that came forward to support the run was remarkable and, without that generous assistance, the run would not have been the success it was.
You see, much like Fox’s character in 1980, the Terry Fox Run is all about supporting the cancer research cause, whether it’s through monetary donations, participating or volunteering … out of the kindness of your heart.
Before Terry passed away in 1981, he made a point of ensuring that if there was an annual run held in his honour, sponsorship would only be taken from businesses if their intentions were purely supportive.
Therefore, there is no financial assistance from the Terry Fox Foundation to put on the annual run.
For a rookie organizer, that can be a little daunting, but thankfully Whitehorse overwhelmingly rose to the occasion.
Skookum Asphalt did not hesitate to provide cash support, nor did Superstore, Northland Beverages, Starbucks and M&M Meats.
And what can I say about Jennifer Moorlag and the amazing group of volunteers.
From our team heading up the BBQ to musicians Ryan McNally and Andrea Burgoyne, each Yukoner I asked was more than willing to help out.
It feels pretty good when friends are willing to lumber out of bed on a Sunday morning to help me put up tents, tables and chairs, while the temperature hovers near zero.
Sure, it took a lot of my free time to put on this year’s run, but the end result made it so worth it.
Watching close to 200 Yukoners warm up under the instruction of Adam Thompson (another volunteer), listening to Todd Hardy share the story of his brave ongoing battle with cancer and seeing dozens of runners, bikers, walkers and rollerbladers line up at the start line on that brisk fall afternoon was quite the sight.
As I counted up the money a few hours after the run finished Sunday, I have to admit I became a little overcome with emotion at the generosity that was shown from so many Yukoners young and old.
It all culminated when I called the Terry Fox Foundation headquarters in Vancouver to give them the final numbers for the 2008 run in Whitehorse.
More than $5,600 dollars raised, almost twice as much as last year, and 192 participants, close to three times the amount from 2007!
Donna White, director for the B.C./Yukon chapter pulled away from the phone and yelled out to the room full of people, many volunteers and cancer survivors themselves, our final tally and they all let out a boisterous cheer of gratitude.
That’s the moment that made organizing the 2008 Terry Fox Run worth the time and effort.
Thanks, Whitehorse!
