Organizers expect 500 to join to raise funds
Jamie Ross – The Aquinian
Krista Wilkins knows a thing or two about the importance of cancer research.
A two time cancer survivor, Wilkins, the chair of this year’s Terry Fox Run in Fredericton, was diagnosed with cancer in 1991 and 2005.
“We’ve made great strides to get where we are today,” she said of cancer awareness in Canada, “in terms of treatment, caring of patients, and we also have people who are surviving the illness now, when 20 or 30 years ago, they weren’t.”
She’s hoping the public will join her next weekend and continue to make those strides at the annual nationwide Terry Fox Run, set for Sept. 13
Last year, the Fredericton version of the run raised $13, 700, and organizers are hoping to reach the $15, 000 mark this year.
One hundred and six thousand dollars has been raised in Fredericton for the cause since 2001.
Wilkins, who lost her leg to the same form of cancer that Terry Fox had, said fundraisers like these are the backbone of support for people fighting the disease, and hopes people will turn out by the hundreds to raise awareness.
“Participants want to contribute to Terry’s dream of raising one dollar for every Canadian to eliminate cancer,” she said. “At the 20 year mark, this year, people still remember Terry.”
Terry Fox embarked on the Marathon of Hope in 1980 with the goal of raising $1 from every person in Canada for cancer research.
He was diagnosed with bone cancer in 1977, and passed away in 1981.
Eighty seven cents from every dollar raised at the run goes toward cancer research.
“The feeling people have is that they carrying on Terry’s dream, so it’s an extension of Terry and his philosophy has been instilled in the organizing committee and run participants,” Wilkins said.
There is a pre-registration day for UNB and STU students to avoid long line ups on Sept. 11 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the SUB on UNB campus.
