Tuesday, September 22, 2015
The Terry Fox Run-2015
It was thirty-five years ago when hoards of people
started participating in what is known as the “Terry Fox Run”. I was there on
that occasion. In fact, I pushed a stroller around the course that day, and on
several other runs. I have traveled the course with two dogs, and I remember
dragging Loki, the Bouvier des Flandres, over the finish line.
But I have not always been faithful to the Terry Fox Run.
There is an element of guilt here. Occasionally, I was far away from a site,
once in Australia Europe . I did a walk
for Terry’s cause when I was away, admittedly half-heartedly.
Last Sunday, I rolled into the parking lot in Belleville West Zwick ’s Park. I was a little
early, and there were very few vehicles on the lot. My heart sunk a little as I
murmured to myself, “Oh no, the spirit is gone. Nobody cares about this. It has
gone to way of all good things.”
I walked to the bandshell and discovered several people
there in bright green shirts, with “Volunteer” written on the backs of their
shirts. That was a good sign, but it did not mean that the “Run” would be a
success. There were hot dogs on the grill, hot coffee and tea, cold drinks,
snacks for energy and the ever-present Hawkins Cheezies!
I mention this product in particular, because the Cheezies’
plant manager 35 years ago, Shirley Woodcox, was a driving force behind the
inaugural Terry Fox Run. She spent a good deal of time with him, and paved the
way for some of his success. He began his journey on the East Coast, and traveled
through the Maritimes and Quebec Ontario Thunder Bay Marathon of
Hope”
Belleville’s mayor, Taso Christopher was on hand to thank
the volunteers at the site. In particular, he had high praise for Vicki
Samaras. She is the President and a partner in the Hinterland Wine Company. She
knows how to get things done.
In 2012, she got geared up for the “Run” at Zwick’s Park.
When she arrived at the site, she was told that run had been cancelled. To
Vicki, that was completely unacceptable. The legacy that Terry had left us
could not be tossed along the wayside by a cancellation. That provided the impetus
for her to gather the troops to continue the fight against cancer.
Christopher told the gathering that he had watched the
movie about Terry’s life the previous evening. He became emotional when talking
about the movie. If you have not seen it, it really is a must. It shows Terry
Fox as a human being, as a young very driven individual trying to make a
difference.
And what a difference he has made! At last report, almost
$ 700 million dollars has been raised to eradicate cancer as a result of his
efforts. The “Run” in Belleville
I was really impressed with the Woodley family. Young and
old, they gathered for the journey-26 of them. As is the case with many of us,
we reflect on lives lost to that despicable disease as we strolled around the
park. Volunteers cheered on our efforts. At ten
o’clock in the morning, I tore into a fine hot dog from the
Agrarian. No serious repercussions.
That being said, to you I throw the torch to do what you
can next year in this great pursuit. My old knees were not up to a run. I
strolled the route casually with my friend Wayne Baker, a long-time supporter
of the cause, and a survivor. You could tell by the smile on his face that it
meant a great deal to him. See you there next year!
James Hurst
# posted by James Hurst @ 7:50 AM 
