Sept. 16 was a beautiful sunny day, and thanks to all participants, pledges, volunteers and donors it was a huge success. Three hundred participants raised $5,255.52 for cancer research, so give yourself a big pat on the back for your support and commitment to the 32nd annual Terry Fox Run in Penticton.
I had the privilege to organize our run this year with the input and great work from the volunteers on the organizing committee and the volunteers who stepped forward on the day of the run. Job well done everyone. Our thanks to Steve King, Meghan McCafferty, Gillian Russell, Mayor Ashton and the pipers from the City of Penticton Pipe Band who sent everyone on a rousing send-off.
In the months leading up to the Terry Fox Run, I was introduced to so many wonderful people who helped by supplying time, products, talents and recourses to our cause, as we have no budget to operate, which in turn provides the highest percentage directly to cancer research, as was Terry’s desire and the Terry Fox Foundation has maintained, allowing 85 per cent of all donations to go directly to cancer research. Thank you so much.
The media did a fantastic job of getting the message out to everyone about the run. As well, the city and private businesses allowed us to put our message on signboards around the city and Cherry Lane mall and the farmers market allowed us to provide information, get pledges, and allowed people to donate to the run that couldn’t attend. Thank you for your contributions to help keep Terry’s dream alive.
This year’s run saw such a wide variety of everyone in the community from families with their children and pets, to grandparents with their grandchildren, teams coming together and folks who have been coming to the run for years and obviously bringing along friends and neighbours to create such a large crowd. There were quite a number of the crowd signing the board: “I am running for,” indicating the number of people affected by this terrible disease and wanting to do all they can to help end it.
And for anybody who took part in the run who did not get a sticker or ribbon, I now have them.
In conclusion, with immense gratitude from The Terry Fox Foundation I quote Terry Fox’s words: “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue, it’s got to keep going without me.”
Thank you Penticton, we will see you again next year.
Bill Palmer
Penticton