John Fisher brought his three-year-old grandson and one-year-old granddaughter along with him for this year’s Terry Fox Run at the North Bay waterfront.
For Fisher, as for many attending the walk/run, the fundraiser is personal.
“My dad died of cancer and their other grandfather died of cancer, and I have cancer. I have multiple myeloma, so it is really important for us to support this cause,” said Fisher.
“For the type of cancer I have, there is a lot of research happening and if we can get a cure for it, I can live that much longer.”
It has been three years since his diagnosis.
“I had a stem cell transplant about two years ago. So, we’re doing quite well with it. We have a positive outlook and we’re just going to make everyday count. Without research that stem cell treatment wouldn’t have happened. Twenty years ago, with this type of cancer, they just used to give you painkillers. They had no cure at all. So, they have come a long way. They have come from no cure at all to about a 10-year life expectancy. Hopefully, in 10 years it will be a lot longer than that.”
A rather exhausted Campbell Robertson completed the 5 km run for himself and other cancer survivors.
“It was a tough run, but it is for a good cause. I had cancer myself. I had skin cancer in 2004 and I know what it is like for a lot of people to go through it. I am a survivor, but I’m certainly not a survivor like a lot of other people who have worse cancer than I did,” said Robertson.
”But I do feel for the friends and family of the victims of cancer so I thought I would contribute how I could. It is important to put the money into research and try and stop these cancers before they occur and if they do occur, have the right medicines and treatments in place to try and prolong people’s lives as best you can.”
Although Angela Courtland has run with her family in other communities, this was the first Terry Fox run-walk she has participated in since moving to North Bay.
“I have been running for my dad in the past. I’ve only been in North Bay for a little bit so I figured I would come out and run for my dad,” said Angela Courtland.
“My dad has been gone since 2010 from a very aggressive cancer. I believe the Terry Fox Run has helped us keep the memory of him alive by supporting the run.”
This marks the 35th year for the Terry Fox Run in North Bay and 39 years nationally.
“The goal generally from Terry Fox back in the day was one dollar from every Canadian. That is always our goal. It is a very fun walk-run,” said Carla Tucker, the organizer for the North Bay event.
“In our community so far, we have raised over a half-million dollars in 30 years. Last year we were just over $10,000. So, we always try to beat the previous year.”
In giving her speech on behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation, Tucker asked people to consider Fox’s legacy.
“And consider your own connection to cancer and cancer survivors and research and all the things that the foundation does,” said Tucker.
“There was special mention that the federal government has given the Terry Fox Foundation $150 million this year to fund their cancer research network. It is going to go toward finding more cures for cancer. The majority of our cancers back when Terry was running had a five per cent survival rate. Now we’re looking at anywhere between 70 and 95 per cent for most cancers. And it is largely due to research and funding like this.”
Fox passed away in 1981 at the age of 22.
An athletic young man, Fox was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) when he was just 18 years old, which resulted in his having his right leg amputated above the knee.
In order to raise awareness and money for cancer research, Fox set off to run across Canada.
After 143 days, his run was cut short when it was discovered that cancer had taken hold of his lungs.
Tucker explained that money raised locally goes directly to the Terry Fox Foundation.
“Seventy-nine cents from every dollar goes directly into cancer research and it is cancer across the board. So, it is not any one specific cancer.”
This year’s national ambassador is 12-year-old Aiden.
He was only 10 weeks old when he was diagnosed with a cancerous bladder tumor.
As a tiny baby, he endured 42 weeks of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumour.
Six months later his cancer came back which meant more surgeries to remove the organs affected by cancer, as well as more chemo and radiation.
Today despite all odds, and having to wear an ostomy bag, Aiden loves getting out on the ice playing hockey with his friends.
As the 2019 Terry Fox Foundation School Ambassador, Aiden’s picture and story will be displayed in more than 85-hundred schools across the country.
Aiden hopes his story will encourage people to donate and help fund research.
