Terry Fox Run returns to Fort St. John on September 15th

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Terry Fox Run is a tradition across Canada and worldwide. It will take place in Fort St. John on Sunday, September 15th.

An event focusing on collecting donations for cancer research, the run honours Fox, whose cancer diagnosis as an 18-year-old led to the desire to run nationwide for research.

His goal was simple: $1 for every living Canadian in a bid to end all cancers.  While Fox abandoned his journey outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario, on September 1st, 1980, his story resonated with people worldwide.

Terry passed away in 1981, just 22 years old.  But his devotion to ending cancer continues, with runs now staged internationally, including in the United States, Europe, and as far away as the Middle East.

Following the first-ever organized run in 1981, runs have been held every first Sunday after Labour Day. 

According to its website, the Terry Fox Foundation, founded in 1988, has raised over $850 million for cancer research.

Fort St. John organizers hope to raise around $13,100, with $1,400 already donated as of Tuesday afternoon.

The run will start at Northern Lights College, 9820 120th Avenue. A Facebook group promoting the event says there will be five- and ten-kilometre options, and participants can run or walk.

“Our community has been hit hard by cancer, and supporting the [Terry Fox Run] is our small way of fighting back,” reads the statement on the group’s site. “We thank you in advance for your amazing support.”

Donations can be made in person or online before and during the event.  Registration for the run will begin at 11:00 a.m., with the start time scheduled for noon.

Further information about the Fort St. John Terry Fox Run can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

To donate online, visit the website here.