The British Columbia and Yukon chapter of the Terry Fox Foundation is looking for a new run coordinator for the annual event that takes place in Central Saanich.
According to Donna White, the Provincial Director for the Foundation, the community has been organizing a run almost every year since 1986.
“Since 2005 we had the same organizer but she stepped down after last year’s run and we’ve been looking for a new coordinator since,” White explained.
The run in Central Saanich serves as the main Terry Fox Run for the Saanich Peninsula. Only two other main runs take place in the Greater Victoria area on Sept. 14 — one on the Westshore and one in Victoria.
“It would be such a shame for the people of Central Saanich and the Peninsula to miss out on the opportunity to keep Terry’s legacy alive,” she said.
White said during the summer, coordinating the event that takes place in early fall requires a minimal time commitment.
“At this time of year it’s probably a couple hours of week of volunteer time,” she explained.
“Of course it will get a bit busier closer to run day and run day is always very busy, but it is an established event in the community and there’s lots of support around,” she said, adding that the actual run day is a long, but wonderfully rewarding day.
“We are all here in the head office on run day waiting to hear about how everyone does in their communities with their fundraising and support. It’s a really exciting day for us,” she said.
This year marks the the 34th anniversary of Fox’s Marathon of Hope which he started in 1980 to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. So far the event has raised over $650 million in Fox’s name for cancer research worldwide.
“There are close to 800 run events that will take place across the country on Sept. 14 and around 9,000 schools that will take place during the month of September,” White said.
“Even though we call ourselves the Terry Fox Run, it’s not necessarily about the running. It’s about community and having people come out together to remember Terry and honour his dream to find a cure for cancer.”
The best part is, White continued, is that there are no registration fees or minimum pledges involved with the Run.
“That means everybody has an opportunity to come out and be a part of the day,” she said.
To find out more about becoming a Terry Fox Run organizer call White at 1-888-836-9786 or email bcyukon@terryfoxrun.org.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com