Passing of the torch

With mother and son gone, some participants at the annual Terry Fox Run say it’s time for everyone to become the next champion of cancer research.

The 31st annual Terry Fox Run around Boulevard Lake on Sunday was dedicated in part to Betty Fox who passed away in June. Fox carried on her son’s legacy and acted as a crusader for cancer research.  On the Terry Fox Foundation website it said she “passed away peacefully surrounded by love. Betty was comfortable the last few weeks and months of her life, was always full of wit and rarely alone.”

Mike Zagrodney, a 19-year-old environmental student at Lakehead University, participated for the second time at the run. While he was the first one to reach the finish line, he wasn’t the fastest one in the run. Other runners continued to do another lap but Zagrodney said he was happy with the one time around the lake.

Zagrodney, who raised more than $300 for the Terry Fox Foundation last year, said it was important to support causes such as the run because it does it lot to help people. With Betty Fox gone, he said it is up to those not part of the Fox family to take over and become the champions of cancer research.

“I really feel with her passing that the torch has been passed on to another generation of people that aren’t linked blood wise,” Zagrodney said.

“Her passing is kind of a mark of a new age. For 30 years, she was the head of (the Terry Fox Foundation). I don’t know anyone that hasn’t been inflicted by cancer. It is a great way to get out, get together and support a great cause. This is probably one of the best causes that I can think of. That’s why I come out every year.”

Carol Marasco participated for the first at the run. She said she decided to walk in support of her friend who was diagnosed with cancer this year and was able to beat it. Marasco lost her mother to cancer and said more research will help people in the future.

She said she was sad to hear that Fox has passed away.

“She did a lot for Terry’s project for raising money even after he lost his life to cancer also,” Marasco said. “It’s my understanding that all the proceeds from the walk or the run go to cancer research and the more research is done will help people in the future.”

More than 500people ran, walked or biked the run this year. Don Morrison, chairman of the Terry Fox Run with the Lakehead Rotary Club, said the rain and the cooler weather was actually good for runners as it kept them cold.

It’s the second year that the Thunder Bay Miles with the Giant Marathon was held on the same day as the Terry Fox run.  Morrison said they work well together since people run in the morning and then come to run around the lake in the afternoon. 

While it is sad that Fox passed away, he said people run in the memory of the mother and son who championed cancer research.

“To live up to their example do what they’re doing here by participating, raise money for cancer research and keep Terry’s memory alive,” Morrison said.

The Terry Foundation has raised more than $340 million in support of cancer research since 1981 and Morrison said the run raised about $12,000 this year.