The Terry Fox Run

10 September 2013Jeen S, Photos by Brynn A, Danielle A & Joe K

“There’s no reason that isn’t possible.” Terry Fox’s inspiration words still ring true today; anything can be achieved if we put our mind to it. Terry Fox is a Canadian legend, an inspirational figure. The messages he delivered and the lessons he taught were the reasons why the extended Brentwood Family took to Mill Bay Road on Sunday afternoon. The Terry Fox Run is an annual tradition in over 25 countries around the world and this year Brentwood hosted its 33rd annual run in memory of Terry Fox and to support the causes that he championed. At the age of 18 Terry Fox discovered a tumour in his leg and was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. The only medical treatment available at that time was amputation to try and stop the spread of cancer. He never gave up on his athletic dreams and was up and walking three weeks after his operation. He soon decided to start cross-Canada odyssey as a way to raise awareness for cancer and money for cancer research. His goal was $24 million, one dollar for every Canadian. He started his Marathon of Hope by dipping his leg into the Atlantic Ocean near St. John’s, Newfoundland and journeyed westward, running 42 kilometres a day, the equivalent of a full marathon. Sadly, Fox’s cancer returned and he was forced to end his run outside Thunder Bay, Ontario. At the end of his journey, he had raised $1.7 million, well short of his goal. The Canadian people, however, stepped up and supported by domestic and international celebrities, a telethon was created to help solicit donations. By the following April, his goal was reached and today the total raised in his name has exceeded $600 million. Every student, along with the extended Brentwood family, participated in the event, either running, walking, cycling, cheering, manning water stations or directing traffic. Finishing off the 5.5km course along Mill Bay Road, it was unfathomable to comprehend how Terry ran 42 km every day, for months, on one leg. That thought must have been racing through students’ heads as they ran along the course. We can, however, appreciate what drove him to run, the inspiration that kept him going. Hope. It fuels us, it sustains us, and it allows us to go above and beyond. We ran on Sunday for the people we’ve lost, and for the people we hope to save. Jeen S, Whittall ‘14

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