September declared Terry Fox Month in Woodstock

Ernie Hardeman MPP, Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione and Terry Fox Run Co-Chairs John and Steve with volunteers and supporters raising the Terry Fox Flag for September 14th Run. (Ron Yuzark photo).

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Ahead of Woodstock’s annual Terry Fox Run, the City of Woodstock declared September Terry Fox Month, and community members gathered together to see the raising of a flag that said “Terry Fox Lives Here.”

The flag was raised and flown in front of Terry Fox Run volunteers and supporters at Museum Square on Aug. 29. The flag raising came after Woodstock Mayor Jerry Acchione declared September 2025 as Terry Fox Month during a council meeting on Aug. 14. John Versaevel, co-chair of the Terry Fox Run Woodstock chapter, picked the flag because of the city’s support for the movement.

“Woodstock has always supported the Terry Fox Movement really well,” said Versaevel. “Having the mayor proclaim the month as Terry Fox Month is excellent because I want it a lot to be centered on Terry and just the run, but all that Terry has accomplished, and I think we've gotten there."

About 9,000 schools in 600 communities across Canada and more than 30 countries worldwide participate in Terry Fox Runs held in September. The event raises money for cancer research to continue Fox’s legacy. As of Sept. 7, the Woodstock event had raised $17,636.

Versaevel has been with the organization for several years and has served as one of its co-chairs for a decade, with this year marking his final term. The movement holds deep personal significance for him for many reasons.

“I can't think of anybody who hasn't been touched by cancer,” he said. “Plus, the fact in 1980 I saw the effect that Terry's run had in the country, and it brought out the better nature of just about everybody and reflected the really good qualities of Canadians."

He added that thanks to research and advances in medical treatments over the years, there are better outlooks for those diagnosed with cancer compared to decades ago.

"When I was a kid, if someone said, 'you've got cancer,' it was a death warrant. Now, it comes down to more and more people being able to be put into remission or being able to live with cancer for more than six months.”

The 45th annual Terry Fox Run in Woodstock will take place on Sept. 14 at Southside Park, with hundreds of participants of all abilities doing 2.5, 5, or 10 kilometres.

“You can walk it, bike it, roll it, stroll it, whatever,” Versaevel said.

Registration begins at 9 a.m., with the run/walk kicking off at 10 a.m. The Woodstock Navy Vets will also be collecting donations at their season-opening game on Sept. 12. Additionally, Terry Fox Run t-shirts were available for sale at the Woodstock Farmers’ Market on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6.

This year, signs were placed alongside the route as part of the Metre of Memories dedicated to family and friends who battled cancer.

More information about the Terry Fox Run, including registration and donation, is available at https://run.terryfox.ca/92841.