On Sept. 18, we are honoured to be celebrating the 31st anniversary of the beginning of Terry Fox’s incredible journey on his mission to help find a cure for cancer.
Mayor Dan Ashton will kick off the event by officially proclaiming Sept. 12 to 18 as Terry Fox Week.
There will be an information table set up at Cherry Lane with pledge sheets available. Because the Terry Fox Foundation contributes 87 cents of every dollar donated to cancer research, we once again invite members of our community, (as well as those from communities where there is not a run being held) to come out and support the run. Your participation is critical in helping to make the event a success. Volunteers are still needed for the day of the run, particularly to man the 2, 5 and 10k turnaround stations.
Registration for the run will be held on the grounds of the Sicamous on Sept. 18 at 11 a.m., and the run will take place at noon. Again this year, we are fortunate to have our own Steve King as host and commentator. Also, as a special tribute, Penticton’s songbird Gillian Russell will perform a song in honour of Betty Fox, Terry’s mom, who passed away recently. Betty will be remembered in our hearts and minds for her faithfulness and tireless effort in keeping her son’s dream alive. Gillian will then lead us in singing the national anthem.
In place of the Senior’s Mall Walk which was previously held at Cherry Lane, seniors who would like to participate, but not walk the Channel, are welcome to join the Rose Garden Senior Steps for Terry, which will be a walk around the Rose Garden and will take place immediately following the Channel Run at noon. Be sure to pick up your pledge sheets at local banks and businesses. This year, the Terry Fox Foundation is also promoting Silver Foxes Run so that individual senior homes and residences can host their own run at their location. For more information, contact Donna at bcyukon@terryfoxrun.org.
Also, to all participants, don’t forget to check out this year’s great Terry Fox merchandise, including the beautiful 31st anniversary T-shirt online at terryfoxrun.org. Just click on merchandise and remember, there’s no additional costs for taxes or shipping charges.
This will be my fourth and final year as organizer for the Penticton Terry Fox Run. I want to take this opportunity to say it’s been an honour serving in this capacity in Penticton and I do intend to continue as a volunteer. I also wish to express my gratitude for the incredible support you have extended. To the business owner, the volunteer, the cancer survivor and all of the other participants, young and old: thank you. Without you, Terry’s dream to find a cure for cancer just can’t be realized. Keep the vision alive.
For further information, I can be contacted at 778-475-4511 or katlucier@hotmail.com.
Kathrine Lucier, Terry Fox Run Organizer
Penticton