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Clinton News-Record, 1984-09-26, Page 21THE BAYFIEFBUGLE Second Section incorporatin:; Wednesday, September 26, 1984 Terry Fox Run raises .1,75O iocally Clinton area people rally behind the Marathon of Hope By Shelley McPhee CLINTON - Participation in the 1984 Clin- ton Terry Fox Run may not have been large, but the enthusiasm of volunteers and run- ners made up for the small showing. Despite Sunday's steady drizzle, more than 55 children and adults took part in the 10 km. Marathon of Hope Run and helped raise $1,750 for cancer research. Wendy Tremeer of the Huron County Cancer Society office in Clinton noted that rainy weather was the major factor in the small turnout. She noted, "The m"ather had a lot to do with it. I know many more j;^nple had planned to come out." Still, the rainfall didn't dampen the spirits of those who took part. The Holmesville Sunday School classes came out in full force and more than 25 students and teachers took part in the run. Their participation has become an annual event since the run first started in Clinton four years ago. Greg Andrews of Blyth and Clinton Coun- cillor Ross Carter put in the fastest times of the day, both completing the course within an hour. Greg has taken part in the Clinton -run for the past four years and also takes part in the Bike Ride for Cancer, held in the spring. The Holmesville United Church Sunday School class makes participation in the Terry Fox Run an annual event. More than 30 pupils and teachers took part in the Clinton run on Sunday. (Shelley McPhee photo) "It's for a good cause," he noted. Councillor Carter beat his time of 57 minutes, set in last year's run. Councillor Carter began running several years ago. Running has helped control his weight and high blood pressure and he now runs five miles, twice weekly. . Others, like young Stacey Reid from Clin- ton said she was taking part in the Terry Fox Run because, "It's fun getting wet in the rain." Her friend Jennifer Tremeer added, "It helps raise money for cancer." Children and adults, friends and families took part in the run. Participants even in- cluded a few of the four foot variety. Casey, a three month old Keeshond pup, took part with Nola Bradley and her two children Tommy, 4, and Nicole 6. Casey was eager to take in the excursion. However. young Tommy tired out before the completing the course and had to be carried part of the way. "Tommy decided that is his sister could do it, so could he," his mother laughed. John Lawson and Ray Bentley, both of. Clinton, were the first to run the course and Mr. Lawson brought in the most pledges, amounting to $300. The course which followed Clinton streets and out the Bayfield Road was originally designed by Eileen Townshend of Clinton when the first run was organized four years ago. The 1984 run was co-ordinated by the Clin- ton Junior Farmers. Katimavik members manned the check points along the route. Funds from the Terry Fox Run havealso been donated by two other groups. The Clin- ton Fish and Game Club made a $100 dona- tion. to ona-tion.to the Clinton effort. In Londesboro on September 21, students from the Hullett Central School staged their own Terry Fox Run and raised more than $50. Funds from the Terry Fox Run are sent to Toronto where they are specifically designated for cancer research programs. Clinton has been an annual contributor to the fund. In 1981, when the first Marathon of Hope was held in Canada, Clinton and Seaforth combined efforts to make a signifi• - cant contribution. In the two towns, 200 run- ' ners took part and raised $9,000. In 1982, Clinton held its own run and 103 participants raised $3,896.90. Bad weather reduced participation in the 1983 effort, but 70 people took part and raised $2;634.40. Clinton's 1984 Terry Fox, Run contribu- tions, are part of a year-round fund raising effort in the town. This year's door-to-door canvass. in Clinton raised $11,000 and the Bike Ride for Cancer brought in an addi- tional dditional $1,195. The April Daffodil Tea raised $205 and daffodil sales raised another $3,300. Donations to the Cancer Society, made through the in -memoriam program at local funeral homes raised $5,300. Clinton's contributions helped the Huron County Cancer Society exceed this year's $80,000 objective. Fund raising efforts from county municipalities, individuals and groups raised a total of $93,500 for cancer research. Nola Bradley, son Tommy, 4, daughter Nicole, 6, and three -month-old pup Casey took part in the fourth annual Terry Fox Run, held in Clinton on Sunday. (Shelley McPhee photo) More than half -a -dozen cheek points, like this one at the Clinton event. Here Steve Webster of Blyth checks off another stop on the Public Hospital, were set up for the Terry Fox Run on Sunday. route maps of Julie Rutledge, Shari Lobb and Brian Hemingway• Katimavik members and Junior Farmers helped co-ordinate the (Shelley McPhee photo) a The route for the Terry Fox Run in Clinton was mapped out four years ago by Elaine Townshend. This year the Clinton Junior Farmers co-ordinated the event and Dave Wise and Al Lavis made final inspection of the route. The run covered 10 kms. of Clinton streets and out the Bayfield Road. (Shelley McPhee photo) erry Fox had courage By Anne Narejko He was a young man who had courage. He had stamina, ambition, and above all, Terry Fox had heart. "Somewhere the hurting must stop," he once said. Instead of sitting back and waiting for others to stop the hurting, Terry did something about it. At the age of 18, Terry was confronted with the amputation of his right leg because of bone cancer. The night before he was to lose his leg six inches above the knee, Terry read an artiele about a one legged marathon runner. It was then that he decided he would attempt to run across Canada in an effort to help others suffering from cancer. Terry's leg was amputated March 8, 1977 and he began his running program for the Marathon of Hope in March Qf .1979. During his training, Terry covered over 3,000 miles. On October 15, 1979, The Canadian Cancer Society received a letter from Terry ex- plaining why he wished to run across Canada. "We need your help. The people in cancer clinics all over the world need people who believe in miracles. I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying that this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to." Terry clipped his artifical leg into the Atlantic Ocean along the shores of St. John's, Newfoundland as he set out on the Marathon of Hope. A marathon which would take him two-thirds of the way across Canada. After running for 144 days through six pro- vinces, averaging 26 miles a day for a total of 3;339 miles, Terry was forced to stop. The medical diagnosis shocked the nation. Terry's cancer had spread to his lungs. In September 1980, Isadore Sharp. telegrammed the Fox family with acom- mitment by the Four Seasons Hotel. They would organize a fund raising event every year until cancer was beaten. "The Marathon of Hope has just begun. You started it. We will not rest until your dream to find a cure for cancer is realized." In conjunction with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Track and Field Association and Fitness and Amateur Sport Canada, the Four Seasons put together "The Terry Fox Run." Liter that month, the CTV television staff put together a star-studded telethon for Terry Fox. Staff members organized the five hour show in just 48 hours and raised an overwhelming $10 -million. On June 28, 1981, Terrance Stanley Fox. died at the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminister, B.C. Terry's Marathon of Hope raised over $24 million for cancer research before he was forced to quit; proving that Canadians across the country do care. Awards honored the one -legged runner By Anne Narejko Many awards have been bestowed upon Terry Fox. Unlike most recipients of great honors, Terry was alive to receive a few of them, but he also received many after his death on June 28, 1981. Terry has had everything from a gold medal and a mountain named after him, to an nine foot bronze statue erected for him. The first honor Terry received was on September 18, 1980 when he became the youngest Companion of the .Order of Canada. To make the occasion even more meaningful, the ceremony was held in his hometown of Port Coquitlam, B.C. British Columbia Premier William Ben- nett presented Terry with B.C's highest civilian award, the Order of the Dogwood. One month later, Terry was the first reci- pient of a new award, the Terry Fox Citation of Honor( This award was created by the Canadian Cancer Society for exceptional service to the Society. Eighteen days later, the Sword of Hope Award, the American Cancer Society's highest honor, was presented to Terry. In December of the same year, The Toron- to Star presented Terry with the Lou Marsh Trophy. This trophy is given each year to Canada's outstanding athlete in memory of the former sports editor. Terry was the first non -politician since 1965 to be named Canadian of the Year by the Canadian Press. He received this honor on December 23, 1980. In May, 1981, Terry was named honorary chairman of the British Columbia Commit- tee for the International Year of Disabled Persons. The list of awards and honors continued to grow as Simon Fraser University in B.C. awarded Terry the first annual Terry Fox Gold Medal. The medal was then to be awarded annually to the student who ex- hibited courage and character as ex- emplified by Terry Fox: Ten days before Terry died, he received the Johnny D. Award. This award, established in memory of Georgetown University football player, John David Burke, is given to an individual who ex- emplified the virtues of courage, honor and love in the fight against cancer. After Terry's death, British Columbia named a 2,639 meter (8,659 foot) peak in the Rocky Mountains, Mount Terry Fox. The lasting symbol of Terry's courage is in the Selwyn Range of the Rockies, 80 km. west of Jasper, Alberta. On July 30, 1981, two honors were bestow- ed up Terrance Stanley Fox. The 50 mile stretch of the Trans -Canada Highway where Terry was forced to end his run was renam- ed the Terry . Fox Courage Highway. This section is between Thunder Bay and Nipigon. That same day, the Canadian government created a $5 -million endowment fund to pro- vide scholarships in honor of Terry Fox. The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award is given to students who have shown high academic achievment and want . to pursue post- secondary education in the fields of fitness, health, amateur sport and community ser- vice. Two months after Terry's death, he received an honor that all athletes dream about. .On August 29, 1981, he was posthumously inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. A school in Orleans,. Ontario, was • dedicated the Terry Fox School in September, and Terry was named Canadian of the Year for the second time. People continued to show their gratitude the following year. On June 3, 1982, The Foundation of Hope, on the driveway to Rideau Hall's main entrance, com- memorated the International Year of the Disabled and Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope. One of the most visual tributes is the nine foot bronze statue of Terry. This statue is located at Terry Fox Lookout, a site just off the Terry Fox Courage Highway, 12 km. west of Thunder Bay. The Marathon of Hope began in New- foundland, and the last dedication was also in Newfoundland. On July 7, 1982, Terry's parents, Betty and Rolland Fox, attended the opening ceremony of the Terry Fox Park. This facility is designed for people who are disabled. All of these tributes will help us to "never forget" a man who gave so much of himself in an effort to help others.