The annual Terry Fox Run in Chatham is set to run Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. at Kingston Park, but is bittersweet for the Bartons.
Jessica and Adam Barton have been organizers of the Chatham event for the past several years and after this one, are set to turn the reins over to Luke Davidson, who lost his mom to cancer.
This year, Jessica said the goal is to always do better than the year before, when more than $20,000 was raised. There will be an on-line auction in addition to the run, with the details of the auction items available given out run day, such as a dinner for six from Schinkel’s, and much more.
About 200 people participated last year, with over 45 volunteers and Jessica said she believes the story of Terry Fox and the country’s appreciation of him as a true hero are what keep people involved and coming back each year.
“So many people are touched by him and the legend of Terry Fox. What he accomplished with the type of technology they had back then, people appreciate that and see him as a hero,” Jessica said.
That and the fact that 84 cents of every dollar raised goes “where it is supposed to go,” she added, which is to cancer research.
An example of how research is saving lives is this year’s run flag bearer, Denise Reinhart. Diagnosed with leukemia last October, Reinhart was told her prognosis was not good. Thanks, however, to the oncology team at London Health Sciences Centre and advances in cancer treatment, she had a stem cell transplant in April and is now doing well. She said her story shows the value of research and an excellent medical team.
Anyone interesting in registering for the run can go to chathamterryfoxrun@gmail.com.
