'He started something beautiful': Terry Fox remembered by his uncle ahead of 43rd Annual Terry Fox Run
On Sunday, Sept.17, Canadians across the country will be lacing up their runners for the 43rd Annual Terry Fox Run.
Today residents from Green Acres Foundation Lodge’s across Lethbridge hit Henderson Lake Park for their first Terry Fox Walk.
The event is extra special for one resident who has close ties to the Canadian icon.
"I hope he's remembered forever and ever because of what he's done and what he started," said Terry Fox, Fox’s uncle and namesake.
Today residents from Green Acres Foundation Lodge’s across Lethbridge hit Henderson Lake Park for their first Terry Fox Walk.
Terry Fox started his ‘Marathon of Hope’ in St. John’s, Newfoundland on Apr.12, 1980.
His goal ... To run across Canada from the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, raising money and awareness for cancer research.
However, after 18 months and over 5,000 kilometres, Terry was forced to stop running outside Thunder Bay, Ontario because his cancer had returned.
He tragically passed away 10 months later at the age of 22.
Every September, Canadians continue the marathon of hope Fox started.
"A lot of times we do it individually lodge by lodge, but this will be the first year we’ve decided to do a group one and have six lodges and 65 to 70 residents participating all at once," said Clinton Kienzle, manager of Alberta Rose Lodge.
Residents got to enjoy the walk with Fox along with a barbecue, live music and games.
'SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL AND DIFFERENT AND NEW'
Fox has been living in Lethbridge since 1977 and says it's incredible to see his nephew remembered by so many, year after year.
"We just look up to him all the time because of what he did and he started something beautiful and different and new," Fox told CTV News earlier today.
"It gets people together, gets people thinking right and realizing that we all have to help each other."
Fox himself has fought and beat both prostate and bladder cancer and knows first hand the impact that his nephew made through his sacrifice.
"I'm lucky to be here and it's probably because of my nephew and people who donate their money to research because we are winning the war against cancer," he said.
Fox has been living in Lethbridge since 1977 and says it's incredible to see his nephew remembered by so many year after year.
"We haven't won it yet but we are ahead. We've got better treatment, better medicine and it was because of him."
Green acres say it's an honour to have Fox come and spread his nephew’s message to his fellow residents year after year.
"He’s come to all of our events every year and we always honour Terry Fox and the massive impact he's had on society, so to have him come and enjoy this with us is amazing," Kienzle said.
Fox speaks to school's across the city about his nephew throughout the year and also shares his own message of giving back every day,
"I'm trying to promote good deeds in Lethbridge here and I thought that maybe I could spread it across Alberta and then maybe the rest of Canada," he said,
"I feel my nephew kind of gave me this inspiration to try to help. If everybody's helping everybody then, like I say, it would be a better world."
The 43rd Annual Lethbridge Terry Fox Run will be happening this Sunday on Sept. 17th at Legacy Regional Park which Fox looks forward to taking part in as well.
Residents can register between now and the start of the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Denial and uncertainty are looming over a Biden-Trump rematch 6 months out from U.S. Election Day
Exactly six months before Election Day, Biden and Trump are locked in the first contest in 112 years with a current and former president competing for the White House. It's a race that is at once deeply entrenched and highly in flux as many voters are only just beginning to embrace the reality of the 2024 campaign.
Israel closes Gaza crossing after Hamas attack and vows military operation 'in the very near future'
Israel closed its main crossing point for delivering badly needed humanitarian aid for Gaza on Sunday after Hamas militants attacked it, reportedly wounding several Israelis, while the defense minister warned of "a powerful operation in the very near future in Rafah and other places across all of Gaza."
opinion You don't need to be an influencer to earn income from social media
How legitimate are claims by some content creators that the average person can earn passive income from social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram? Personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says it's quite possible, if you're willing to put in the initial time and effort.
‘Love has no boundaries’: Sask. couple in their 90s and 80s get married
Eighty-two-year-old Susan Neufeldt and 90-year-old Ulrich Richter are no spring chickens, but their love blossomed over the weekend with their wedding at Pine View Manor just outside of Rosthern.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Should you save or splurge on makeup this summer?
If you're wondering whether you should splurge or save when it comes to buying skincare products and makeup this summer, we got some answers for you.
Chemical spill could be cause of stinky water in Puslinch, Ont., new report says
People living in Puslinch, Ont. may have the answer to why their water smelled so bad last year.