As I sat in my chair as a volunteer in the Palliative Care Unit at the Pontiac Community Hospital, I realized, our three rooms are full and there are three other patients in General Care who are waiting to get into our wing. All six patients have a form of cancer. I ask myself, we, the Shawville Terry Fox Organizing Committee, have been participating in the run for the past 36 years, have we not made a difference?
On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox began his run in Newfoundland by dipping his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic Ocean. His “Marathon of Hope” had him run a marathon a day. His goal was to cross Canada and raise money to fund cancer research. His run ended just outside of Thunder Bay on Sept. 1, 1980. He had run 143 days, covering 5,373 km. On June 28, 1981, Terry passed away – his cancer had returned.
On Sept. 13, 1981, the first “Terry Fox Run” was held. In September 1982, the first Shawville run was held and has been in existence ever since. In 2003, Betty Fox (Terry’s mother) visited the Pontiac and spoke at both Shawville schools. The “Terry Fox Run” is now a world-wide event.
To date, $750 million has been raised for cancer research and this money has made a difference. Six out of ten people who are diagnosed will still be alive five years after their diagnosis. This is a 95 per cent improvement on the survival rates of most cancers – 85 per cent for thyroid, testicular and prostate cancers. The five-year survival rate for childhood cancer is now 83 per cent and this is a 20 per cent improvement!
This year’s Community Terry Fox Run is being held on Sunday Sept. 16, with the high school holding their run on Friday, Sept. 14.
The Shawville run will begin at 1 p.m. at the high school with a registration and barbeque supplied by the Lions Club of Shawville. The actual run will start at 2 p.m.
This year, the Friends of the PPJ have joined with us and we will be offering two different routes: the traditional route out to the Moffatt Farm and back, and the second will use the PPJ trail by bike and return from Moffat Farm.
Our goal this year is to have 200 participants. There is no charge to run but pledges and donations are gratefully accepted. Together we can make a difference.
For more information, please contact Rick Valin (819 647 5609) or John Petty (819 647 2402).
Submitted by John Petty.
