“It’s very powerful and very emotional because he was giving unconditionally of himself to help others. That was purely evident by those watching him.”
The words simply resonate.
They’re from Darrell Fox, brother of Terry Fox, taken from our PQBeat/Today in B.C. podcast. You can check out an abridged transcript of the chat in the latest issue of the PQB News and we highly recommend if you’re able to go online and listen to the entire podcast.
More than four decades after his Marathon of Hope in 1980, the powerful initial message sent by Terry Fox continues, as strong as ever.
Each year, we honour and remember Terry and the loved ones we all have who are battling cancer or succumbed to their own battle.
This weekend, as we emerge from COVID, we mark a special day with the Terry Fox Run.
In the Parksville area, it’s set for Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon (registration begins on-site at 9 a.m. or online at https://run.terryfox.ca/3001) at Rathtrevor Provincial Park, 1240 Rath Rd, Parksville.
Run, walk, roll or stroll – three kilometres for bike or stroll and five or 10 kilometres walk or run. Strollers, bicycles, dogs on leash are welcome.
Those wishing to volunteer can contact RDN parks and rec via email: kshirley@rdn.bc.ca or call 250-248-3252.
The ultimate goal, as Darrell states, would be to never need another Terry Fox Run again.
“That was Terry’s dream to end the suffering that cancer causes, and we’ll look forward to celebrating that one day soon.”
We all look forward to that day.
But until then, we continue to honour Terry’s legacy.
Virtually all of us have been affected by cancer, whether personally or through a cherished friend or loved one.
The astonishing resolve of a 21-year-old Canadian hero so long ago is something we’ll never forget.
And his message extends into all aspects of life.
Darrell stated it so eloquently: “What I share when I have the ability to speak to the next generation and young people is that I start by saying Terry was pretty average. He was average in every way. He was an average student. He was an average athlete, but look what he accomplished. And he accomplished a lot through one, putting his own personal interests aside and wanting to help other people.
But two, through hard work and determination. It’s all there. It’s there for you. It’s whether you’re prepared to put the effort in to accomplish your goals. So that’s the message we want to share, because there are Terry Foxers everywhere. They just have to find it within themselves to go after their goals and their dreams, whatever they are, and they will be successful.”
Such a wonderful message.