Half-million mark passed by Grimsby Terry Fox Run

By Katherine Grant
For NewsNow

This past Sunday marked the 34th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope.

It also marked the day that Grimsby’s fundraising total surpassed the half-million-dollar mark.

The people of Grimsby have raised $506,000 for cancer research, a milestone made the more impressive considering there were several years there was no Terry Fox Run at all in Grimsby.

“It is a very emotional time for us, reaching a milestone of over $500,000 raised at our Grimsby Terry Fox Run site,” said Teresa Mueller, who, together with her husband Tom and a core group of dedicated volunteers, have been organizing the local run for over 20 years.

“We couldn’t have done it without our core team of Wendy Legere, Margaret McIntosh, Anna Chouinard, Julian Ptasinski, Joyce Hamilton, Scott Moore, Joanne and Stan Johnston, Tom McClurkin, and Randy Seaton, who have been with us every step of the way.”

Mueller said she had planned a speech for Sunday’s morning opening ceremonies but was overcome with emotion.

“When I stood before the crowd and saw the cancer survivors amongst the crowd, men, women and children of all ages, it leaves me speechless,” she said “I think this year we had more cancer survivors attend our run site, then in the past, which is incredible. I can’t imagine the strength and courage they have to get through such a challenge in their lives, truly amazing people.”

Each year a new Terry Fox Run t-shirt is designed; and each year there is a version of it that is printed on red t-shirts that cancer survivors wear. The presence of cancer survivors wearing these red shirts is a sign of hope for participants.

“It is because of this, that we continue in our efforts to raise funds for cancer research,” she said, they are seeing improvements in cancer survival rates. “Thank you to our survivors who keep fighting to show our community you are a survivor and our efforts are improving the lives of others. That’s what it’s all about, 84 cent of every dollar goes directly to cancer research through the Terry Fox Foundation.

We appreciate the support of our participants, sponsor, and our dedicated volunteers, that help us each and every year.”

Next year marks the 35th Annual Terry Fox Run which takes place on Sunday Sept. 20, 2015. Some special events are being planned. The Canadian Museum of History in Hull will have an entire floor dedicated to Terry Fox starting April 12, 2015. It will feature his 147-day journey, covering 5000km from St John’s to Thunder Bay.