By: Fernando Arce, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Tilbury’s annual Terry Fox Run, which happened on Sunday, Sept 15, brought in about $24,000 in donations for cancer research — the largest amount in over 18 years, organizers said.
“It takes a full team,” said Mark Authier, former Tilbury Ward 1 councillor and co-chair of Tilbury’s Terry Fox Run, which this year began at the Tilbury Arena.
“With COVID being over, we’ve been getting more people out, and getting word out a little more as well,” he said. “Everybody is touched [by cancer] one way or another, either family, friends or themselves.”
Authier said around 170 people came out to the 44th annual Terry Fox Run. In Tilbury itself, the run has been going on for 38 years.
Over $10,000 came from Lauren & Friend’s Lemonade Stand, now in its sixth year supporting the Terry Fox Foundation.
“Just phenomenal work,” said Authier.
Another $5,700 was raised by a cancer survivor. A gentleman who has been attending nearly every walk for over 40 years “dropped a couple thousand as well.”
“It’s definitely very important. It goes well in Tilbury and gets a lot of support,” Authier said.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was performed by eight survivors, two of whom were children. “So it was very nice to see them out,” said Authier, adding that “they’re both very active in trying to raise funds for cancer research.”
Other highlights included an hour-long performance by local performer Hailey Doucet, a magician, face-painting for the kiddos and approximately 65 prizes raffled off alongside a bake table full of donated goodies.
“That goes over quite well,” Authier said.
