The Organizers of the 37th Wingham Terry Fox Run are striving to do their part to rid the world of cancer. Scott Miller and Steve Jackson are testicular cancer survivors, and that helped motivate them to raise money for continued research.
Miller has announced the run will take place on Sunday, September 15 at the Wingham Lion’s Picnic Shelter by the splash pad.
"Last year we raised over $30,000 which is our second highest total ever in 36 years," he explained. "Over the past 36 years, we've raised just under $600,000 towards cancer research just from the Wingham Terry Fox Run alone. None of that would be possible without Dale and Linda Edgar, who started this 36 years ago. Steve Jackson and myself have taken it over the past couple years."
Miller and Jackson took over organizing duties in 2022 from the Edgars, who started the run in Wingham in honour of their daughter after she died of cancer at a very young age. The Edgars raised $560,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation in the 34 years they ran the event.
"We have just an amazing, committed group of people that come out every year," Miller pointed out. "Unfortunately, we've had some tragic stories of cancer taking lives of loved ones in the area, and families of those loved ones continue to come out, show their support, and, you know, fight for a cure, which is what Terry Fox was doing. You know, back in 1980 when he tried to run across Canada."
Miller credited the dedication of participants and supporters for the continued success of the run.
"We average between about one 150 and 200 participants every year, and then probably add on another 100, 150 people that donate or support those people that participate with fundraising dollars," he revealed. "So all told, you know that's pushing almost 400 people that participate in the Wingham Terry Fox Run every year. "
Registration for the Terry Fox Run opens at 10 a.m., and the walk or run starts at 11 a.m. followed by a free post event BBQ.
"Check out the Terry Fox Foundation online. There's a link directly to the Wingham Terry Fox Run where, you can sign up, as well as see other runs in your area. There are runs all across Midwestern Ontario," he concluded. "You can go to a run fundraising page in your community and sign up a team. You can fundraise, you can donate, you can put a lawn sign up."
People can check out the run at https://run.terryfox.ca/55966