By Georgia LeBlanc
Sunday, Sept. 14 marked the forty-fifth annual Terry Fox Run, this year being held at the Tilbury Arena.
At noon, ninety runners, walkers and cyclists lined up behind a red ribbon waiting to take off on a five-kilometer marathon of hope. Once the ribbon was cut, the marathoners sped off in honor of everyone battling the horrific disease.
Mark Authier has been organizing the Tilbury Terry Fox Run for eight years. He said the last organizer had to retire due to health issues. “My wife Lynn and I decided to take over because of how many family members and friends have either had or passed from cancer,” said Authier.
Authier said the community run has raised over thirty-two thousand dollars this year and a grand total of eight hundred and seventy-eight thousand dollars since the tradition began.
“I’m hoping it benefits all cancer patients,” said Authier. He points to a poster depicting recent cancer statistics. “Cancer mortality has decreased by thirty-seven per cent since 1988. This is how I believe the money raised goes into, obviously finding a cure.” Also, according to the poster, survival rates have increased from twenty-five per cent to sixty per cent since the 1940s.
As mentioned before, Authier’s family has been affected by cancer, including his brother-in-law, Jeff Vander Pryt.
“I was diagnosed with brain cancer in April of last year, we volunteered for a few years prior,” said Vander Pryt.
Despite volunteering, Vander Pryt said this is his second year participating in the five-kilometer trek. “Last year was my first walk, this year is going to be my second walk.”
Vander Pryt said the event is a great opportunity for Tilbury to come together and support a good cause. “I have several family members coming to walk with me,” said Vander Pryt. “My wife and kids are going to walk with me. It’s very supportive.”
So far, Vander Pryt said he enjoys the walk as a social event. “It’s a great walk,” said Vander Pryt. “It’s kind of a mosey around and stop at all the water stations and socialize.”
Long-time volunteer Mike Taylor said he has been involved in the Terry Fox Run for thirty-five years. “My dad was a huge volunteer with the Optimist Club, and I was always tagging along with them,” said Taylor.
Taylor said his motives come straight from the heart. “I feel that everybody should give back to the community,” said Taylor. “I’m sure it’s something I get more out of than what I give.”
Taylor also said it’s the community that makes the walk so successful. “It’s a show of support,” said Taylor. “Tilbury has always been phenomenal when it comes to supporting anything there’s a need for. We raise a heck of a lot of money and not just for Terry Fox, but for any event that takes place.”
Also on the poster Mark Authier was referencing was a reminder from the icon of hope himself. Terry Fox continuously reminds us to keep raising awareness since it brings us closer to finding a cure for good.
“Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me.” -Terry Fox
Along with Terry Fox himself, cancer survivors at the Tilbury walk and around the world stand as icons of hope. With all the awareness they raise, the slogan “FINISH IT,” comes closer to becoming a reality every single day.
