Centretown residents will be among the thousands of participants in Ottawa's 27th annual Terry Fox Run, scheduled to take place Sunday in Anniversary Park at Carleton University.
In 1981, the very first Terry Fox Run involved 300,000 people across Canada. Together they raised $3.5 million. Nearly three decades later, more than $400 million has been raised for cancer research.
Thousands of people are expected to come out once again today to walk in the "spirit of Terry" to raise further funds for cancer research, according to the event's organizer.
The run starts at 9 a.m. Those interested can bring in pledge forms and donations at that time, or make online donations at the Terry Fox Foundation website.
Although the run has been going on since 1981 the momentum still exists, says Jerri Southcott, chairperson of the Terry Fox Run for Ottawa. She said the run has maintained its popularity because basically all the money goes directly to the cancer foundation.
“People are running in the spirit of Terry Fox and his idea that one dollar from every Canadian could help,” said Southcott.
She said although fundraising efforts for cancer have become competitive, Fox's spirit still lives on.
“The run is all about the spirit of a Canadian hero and raising money for cancer. There are no corporate names attached and it’s a very family-oriented, fun event for everyone,” said Southcott.
Last year, the Ottawa run collected about $300,000 that went directly to cancer research. This year, the run will go till 3 p.m. Participants can walk, run, bike or rollerblade to help make Terry’s dream come.
Terry Fox wanted everyone to participate, Southcott said. “It doesn’t matter how much you donate. The fact that you come out and participate is all that matters.”