It was early in the day Thursday morning—a cold morning despite the past few days of extra summer heat we’ve had—for Chippewa Secondary students who prepared outside for a chilly run. For some students though, like Anna Koski-Harja, it was more than a chilly run in the morning to raise funds. For many students, actually, the Terry Fox Run was something they looked forward to and held meaning.
But for Anna, the run was a lot closer to home than most.
“My mom was diagnosed with cancer last January,” she said, returning from her approximate two-kilometre circuit around the Kinsmen Trail and the school. “So I’m running for my mom today.”
And she wasn’t alone, with her best friends running with her, supporting her in the run, and supporting her mother as best they could. Anna had raised $155 in cash and cheques and another $75 online over the course of about a week for the annual Terry Fox Run at Chippewa, one of countless students and faculty who’ve banded together to raise nearly $4,000 this year, as well as over $30,000 since organizer and teacher Chris Cassidy organized the event about 13 years ago.
“A lot of the students are very involved,” Cassidy said. “It doesn’t matter how young or old they are, they may have a connection. When somebody around them is affected by cancer, it can help them realize their smaller actions can contribute to a greater purpose.”
He said it can always be a challenge for students growing up to feel motivated, like their actions can make a difference, with how much is going on the world.
“It can be overwhelming—how does one person make a difference,” he said, explaining how he can educate the students on the issues and how their collaboration can help. “They can understand collectively what we can do together.”
And together that morning, the students gathered and made the run—or walk for those who couldn’t—as a symbolic action, showing their support. For Cassidy, it’s something that reminds him of his days in school.
“I remember doing it in high school myself and being enthralled when I was little,” he said. “It was the most amazing idea that a person could do all that on one leg.”
But for Anna, it was a delight to see all the other students out there, whether they had direct ties or not to cancer, supporting those in need of help.
“It feels really nice to see that everyone is participating and everyone is getting involved,” she said. “It’s cool how everyone is trying their hardest and cheering everybody else on.”
