Oshawa declares Terry Fox week

 

 

      
Oshawa declares Terry Fox week
September 9, 2009
Mayor John Gray accepts a Terry Fox T-shirt from Heather Stuart, the chairperson of the Oshawa Terry Fox Run.

By Lindsey Cole
The Oshawa Express

When Terry Fox passed through Oshawa in July 1980 during his Marathon of Hope, he was treated like a rock star. Girls were screaming his name as hundreds looked on at the Canadian hero. The support felt by Oshawa and the rest of the country was overwhelming. That support can still be felt in the city and was recently recognized by Oshawa City Council. Mayor John Gray and City Council recently proclaimed the week of Sept. 7 to 13 as Oshawa Terry Fox Week. Mayor Gray, organizers of the Oshawa Terry Fox Run, councillors Robert Lutczyk, John Henry and Louise Parkes stood outside city hall as a flag and banner were
given to commemorate the announcement.

“He (Terry) had no idea how things were going to turn out,” says Heather Stuart, a cancer survivor and chairperson of the Oshawa Terry Fox Run.“He was often running alone. By the time he got to the Ontario border everyone knew who he was.” Terry Fox ran an average of 42 kilometres a day for 143 days in the rain and sleet on an artificial leg. He passed away after nearly completely the run in September. His Marathon of Hope was geared towards finding a cure for cancer, a disease that affects millions in Canada.“I think all of us here remember the Marathon of Hope and the very gripping news stories,” says Mayor Gray.

“It’s something that really touched Canadians. Terry Fox has been recognized as a genuine Canadian hero. Council is fully united on supporting this cause (the Oshawa run). We hope it’s more successful than it has ever been.” Last year more than 200 people participated in the run and hopefully more will venture out this year, adds Stuart. In Oshawa, the Terry Fox Run is one of the biggest community events. Whether you walk, run, skateboard, or bike, the Oshawa Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research takes place on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Storie Park on Mill Street. Early risers can register at 8 a.m. but the official start time is 9 a.m. This year, participants can watch for signs along the Oshawa Creek Trail that will recreate Fox’s journey to Thunder Bay. Burgers, a kiddie fair, and a silent auction are just some of fun things featured at the event this year and in keeping with Fox’s tradition there is no registration fee or amount of minimum donations to enter.
  “We’re trying to be a community event. We hope that people will see it as a family event,” Stuart adds.The day will wrap up around 1 p.m. Pledge sheets can be picked up at the Oshawa Centre Kiosk, The Oshawa Express office, at all public libraries and at many businesses around Oshawa. You can also download pledge sheets at www.terryfoxrun.org
If you are a cancer survivor and would like to join Fox’s team call Lee-Anna at 905-434-8122 or Heather at 905-728-0659. The Terry Fox Run donates 87 cents of every dollar to support research for all types of cancer and relies solely on community support.		  
     
     

 
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