There are a lot of reason’s behind the success of the Dresden Terry Fox Run, not the least of which is the sense of community pride and commitment to the cause.
Cindy Brewer, organizer for the past 21 years said she has “an incredible team. I’m the one who’s quoted in the papers but the committee makes my job so easy,” she said.
Members include Megan Robinson, Deb Stevens, Bonnie Brewer, Cheryl Cameron, Cathy McFadden, Natasha Brewer, Mary Ellen Konecny, Chris McFadden, Carla Brewer, Chrystal Chambers and Paige Konecny.
Last year marked a milestone with a record
$41,962 383 from 383 participants and volunteers.
That amount pushed the event over the one half million mark and earned it the title of the highest per capita Terry Fox Run in Ontario.
This year 352 people raised $32,150.
She said despite its success, the Dresden event is a low-key affair.
“We don’t even have an official mass start,” she said. “We had people come in, register and on the road almost an hour before the “official” start. We make it easy for people to participate.”
One such group is the Trailblazers, three local sisters Bonnie Hoy, Dorothy Martin and Bette Northcott, two of whom are cancer survivors and one who’s husband is a survivor.
“We just started doing this as a group last year,” Bonnie said. “This year we kind of surprised ourselves and we raised $1,400.”
Brewer said runners come in all sizes, shapes and ages.
“This year we had a young woman who has just started running so she decided to run in from Tupperville,” Brewer said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
As it has for years, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 113 was headquarters for the event.
“We’ve had great cooperation from everyone, we’re hosting a BBQ when the run is over and it’s just a great time. And we get to contribute to finding a cure for cancer.”
The Dresden Terry Fox Run continues to grow each and every year, strengthening along the way.
