I participated in the fourth annual Terry Fox Run/Walk this morning in the Liberty Village run/walk (it's close to my 'hood). I'd done it the last two and this year and last year I was also a volunteer doing the social media).
Terry Fox (1958 – 1981) was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian and cancer research activist. In 1980, he began the Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research. He hoped to raise one dollar from each of Canada's 24 million people. He began in St. John's, Newfoundland, in April and ran the equivalent of a full marathon every day. After 143 days and 5,373km/3,339 miles, he was forced to end his run outside Thunder Bay, ON, when the cancer spread to his lungs. His hopes of overcoming the disease and completing his marathon ended when he died nine months later.
The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research. Almost $800 million has been raised in his name.
Before registration opened at 9am, there was lots to do. Some volunteers attached pins to the ribbons participants would receive when they finished the run/walk.
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| That's Gord in the red shirt ... red shirts signify cancer survivors |
We had great support for our lunch, gift bags and raffle.
Katie, a volunteer, was interviewed for a student paper.
We had coffee for all before the run/walk.
Jason got some of our volunteers organized.
At 9am, registration was open.
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There were activities for kids like chalk, bubbles,
face painting, colouring, etc. |
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| Furry friends were welcome |
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| There was a dedication sign |
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| Shumaila, a volunteer, led yoga |
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Jefferson, the mascot for the Toronto Wolfpack,
was in support of the Terry Fox Run/Walk |
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| Who knew a big furry mascot could do yoga? |
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| Everyone loves Jefferson! |
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| Apparently Jefferson loves to colour! |
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| Comedian Steve Dylan |
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| Jefferson signed the dedication sign |
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| There's Joy, one of our volunteers, on the left of Jefferseon |
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| Kids loved climbing in the Toronto Fire Services' truck |
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| This dog started rolling in the grass |
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| Jefferson tried it too |
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| The dog didn't know what to make of Jefferson, though |
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| Hoooowling! |
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| Audrey and Amy, Wolfpack employees, with Jefferson |
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| Sarah, a volunteer, with Jefferson |
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| Jefferson and Gord |
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| Me, Jefferson and Gord |
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| Dawn, a volunteer (and my neighbour), and Jefferson |
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| Jason, a volunteer, Jefferson and Angelo |
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| Joy and Jefferon |
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| Amy, Jon and Audrey, Wolfpack employees, with Jefferson |
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Katie, one of volunteers, has had cancer and is
now battling two cancers ... she told her story |
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| We sang Oh Canada |
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| It was run/walk time! |
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| And they're off! |
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| These wee ones were unsure about Jefferson |
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Amy and Audrey of the Wolfpack
signed the dedication sign |
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| A Toronto police officer arrived |
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| The officer high-fived Jefferson |
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| Alas, no high-five from the horse |
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Some of our volunteers with Jefferson ...
Dawn, Nicole, Aggie, Jefferson, Lisa, Gord and me |
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| Jefferson and Aggie |
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| Volunteers waiting to welcome the runners/walkers back |
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| The first runners back ... they'd done the 3km |
Alas, it started pouring. Many of the runners/walkers came back, though, and had a light lunch.
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| Lunch |
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| Gord and Dawn |
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| Dale, a volunteer |
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| Ruby thanked everyone for coming |
And that's it for the 2019 Liberty Village Terry Fox Run/Walk!
1 comment:
Well done! Looks like a super event.
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