Terry Fox Run a success

(Submitted Photo)

Sue Healey, Post Contributor

Every year on the second Sunday of September, individuals across Canada gather at local soccer clubs, running tracks, community centres, parks, or roadways. They arrive with early morning smiles and carafes of coffee. They came last year and the year before that and the years before that. They are the volunteers for the annual Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research.

This year, Sunday, Sept. 14, marked the 45th time they have come together to welcome participants to this inspiring world-wide event.

The organizers of Tillsonburg’s Terry Fox Run converged at the Tillsonburg Soccer Club in the early hours of Sunday. There, Shelley Weiler, the run’s organizer since 2019, directed her committed team of volunteers to set up and oversee the event, an annual tradition since 1989. In its 36-year history, Tillsonburg has missed only one run and has run consecutively since 1998, raising a combined total of $450,000.

Weiler had high praise for this year’s fundraising efforts by local businesses Systemair and Inovata Foods. Both entered company teams for the run and raised close to $18,000 between them. She also thanked local businesses for their continued support.

Musical entertainment was provided by Stunt, a local duo who performed a Barenaked Ladies tribute for the audience. Denise Haley led a rousing rendition of Oh Canada to begin opening ceremonies. Andrew Englander of Attain Health led the approximately 120 participants in a great warm up exercise with twists, lunges and even jumping jacks.

The run included both newcomers and familiar participants from all over the area. The event is free to all with 3, 5 and 10 km routes, well marked and marshalled by smiling volunteers. 2025’s volunteer roster numbered in the thirties and as the annual event grows, Weiler sees opportunities to engage the younger generation with meaningful and concrete action.

“In a morning you can change a person’s life, make a real difference. We’ve helped survival rates increase from 25-60 per cent and more in certain cancers – that is a powerful message to those who feel powerless in the face of this disease. This year’s Tillsonburg Terry Fox Run has raised $30,750.00 and counting… That is roughly $1.45 for every citizen of Tillsonburg, surpassing Terry’s original goal of raising one dollar for every Canadian. We’re going to get there. We’re going to finish what Terry started. We are going to finish it.”

Donations to specific runs may be made until the end of the year by visiting www.run.terryfox.ca.