WINNIPEG – 35 years after Winnipeg-born Terry Fox started his cross-Canada run with an amputated leg, he is still inspiring Manitobans.
On Saturday hundreds of people laced up at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park including Terry’s father, who came from B.C. for the run for the first time.
“It’s taken me 35 years… when I come to Winnipeg I’m coming home,” Rolly Fox said.
The annual run raises millions of dollars each year for discovery based research in Canada through the Terry Fox Foundation.
“I can remember back in 1977 when his mother and I were told about his diagnosis with cancer and we were told his chances of surviving was 20 to 50 per cent,” Fox said, reflecting on when his son’s leg was removed.
“Today I know just from research that anyone diagnosed with the same bone cancer as Terry was, their chances of survival are in the 80 per cent range.”
Fox also said he really believes in research and that his son would be very proud of the improvements made over the years.
Get daily National news
While it was an emotional day for many people running, Terry’s cousin Carlisle Sett said the event still motivates him.
“If he can do that on one leg there’s no reason I can’t come out on this day and support that,” Sett said.
Sett has run in Winnipeg almost every year to show his admiration for Terry and still cherishes their memories together.
“The hurting must stop somehwere, that’s what he said and I’ve got to believe in that,” Sett said.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.