Neepawa is ready for the Terry Fox Run
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- Published on Wednesday, September 10, 2014
By Eoin Devereux
An annual event that raises money for cancer research and celebrates one of Canada’s most beloved heroes makes its return to Neepawa. The Terry Fox Run is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14 and will be held at the NACI track, starting at 2 pm, with registration set for 1:30 pm.
Kelly Krzyzaniak, Neepawa Terry Fox Run Coordinator said this will be the 34th year the run will happen in communities around Canada and the world.
“Neepawa consistently gets behind the cause, whether it’s by actually coming to the run or supporting it through donations. We usually get around 60 to 75 participants. Sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less, depending on the weather. But, we usually raise between six and seven thousand dollars.”
The run commemorates Fox's Marathon of Hope, which lasted 143 days back in 1980 and was Fox’s effort to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Though Terry was forced to abruptly end his run because of the spread of cancer in his lungs, the legacy his efforts created remain with Canadians to this day.
As for the local run, Krzyzaniak said it will wind through town to Dairy Queen and then back to the track and stressed anyone can participate whether it be running, walking or bike riding.
“The course is the same [as last year] and we’ve kept it that way just because it is familiar to people. Some people run the course, some people bike. A lot of people will just come out for a walk, which is fine.” said Krzyzaniak.
Krzyzaniak added that pledge forms have been left all over town at many businesses and either pledges can be collected or a personal donation can be made at the registration.
“Terry Fox himself just wanted people to participate and keep raising money because once he was finished, his hope was that we’d keep it going. We'd appreciate anyone who wants to come out and join us," she concluded.
In 2013, Manitoba raised more than $640,000 through the Terry Fox Foundation. To date, more than $650 million has been raised around the world over the past 33 years for cancer research in Fox's name.
To get involved in this year's run in Neepawa or in an other community, contact the Terry Fox Foundation provincial office at 1-888-836-9786 or visit their website at www.terryfox.org.
