'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
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.