Terry Fox legacy extends into North Carolina

The first-ever Terry Fox Run will take place in North Carolina on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at NC State University's Centennial Campus. It will be the first time that I will be directly involved in helping to operate such an event and one that has a personal significance to me. Growing up in Canada, I was only ten years old when Terry Fox, a Canadian amputee runner who lost his leg to cancer began the 'Marathon of Hope' in 1980.

Terry vowed to raise awareness and funds for cancer research by running across Canada twenty-six miles at a time - a marathon a day. He inspired so many Canadians back then every day as news of his run and his appearance in towns and cities brought increasing interest and support. Terry ran 143 consecutive days and was two-thirds of the way across the country until it was discovered that cancer had spread to his lungs, cutting his 'Marathon of Hope' short. He was honored with the Order of Canada, the highest distinction of honor that a Canadian citizen is awarded with. His run and his life ended too soon, but his legacy endures and enters its 30th year.

The Terry Fox Run not only takes place in towns and cities across Canada every year, but they are now organized internationally in over 35 countries. It is an honor that Judith Fox-Alder, Executive Director of the Terry Fox Foundation, is in Raleigh to kick-off this event locally. Terry's legacy was honored last night after the Durham Bulls International League playoff game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) in Durham, NC. It was a great sight seeing Terry Fox running on the video screen on the 'Blue Monster' wall preceding a great fireworks display. It truly shows that support for such a great legacy can be shared and supported in many different places.

To learn more about Terry Fox, go to: www.terryfox.org

View Terry's story by ESPN (2008) 

Terry Fox is also the subject of an updated and upcoming ESPN 30 for 30 feature directed and produced by NBA star Steve Nash - Into the Wind.

Honoring courage and meeting great people

It is not everyday that you get the opportunity to meet people who make a difference and allow you to become energized about what they do, but about what you can do as well. I had the great honor of reaching down into my Canadian roots and meeting such individuals recently. In working with the Canadian Expat Network (a great site for Canadian news and content outside of Canada) and president Sean Mitton, the first-ever Terry Fox Run will be held in North Carolina on Sunday, September 12 at NC State University's Centennial Campus. It is an honor to be able to have a part in operating this first-time event, but the most gratifying part of it all has been in getting to meet some great people involved with it.

Judith Fox-Alder, Executive Director of the Terry Fox Foundation, is in Raleigh to help kick-off the Terry Fox Run in Raleigh. Through the hard work and efforts of Sean, Judith's trip to the area has allowed me to get the opportunity to meet a person who is working hard to carry on the legacy of a great Canadian and her brother, Terry Fox. In meeting Judi and watching how she maintains the ability to champion her brother's cause and managing the emotional impact of doing so every day, I witness the persona of someone who can truly take things in stride in managing a multi-million dollar foundation, and a busy family life.

In addition to meeting Judi, I also had the opportunity to meet Mark Demontis, a legally blind hockey player and founder of Courage Canada, an organization devoted to creating programs to teach visually-impaired individuals the skills of hockey. Mark has put together a truly great cause and program to maintain his love of hockey and share it with others who may not get the opportunity to do so. Mark will also be at the Terry Fox Run on Sunday as he is a strong supporter of the event and cause, as many are.

We'll all be there on Sunday, September 12, 2010 for the first-ever Terry Fox Run in Raleigh, NC on the NC State University Centennial Campus. Registration begins at 8 am and the non-competitive run/walk begins at 9 am.