What: Terry Fox Run
Where: Riverside Campground and RV Park
When: Sunday, Sept. 19; 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. start
In the 23 years since Terry Fox succumbed to cancer during a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, the Terry Fox Run has grown into one of the most successful fundraising events in the world. During that time more than $340 million has been raised for Cancer Research, with thousands of runs across Canada, and almost two million participants in more than 50 different countries. B.C. and the Yukon together have over 150 runs.
One of the reasons for that success is the dedication of Isadore ‘Izzy’ Sharp, the founder and CEO of the Four Seasons Hotel chain.
Sharp, like many Canadians, was deeply affected by Terry Fox’s inspirational run across Canada. He visited with Terry Fox before the runner died, and Sharp promised to keep the dream alive.
Sharp went on to help create the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research and the very first Terry Fox Run. Sharp also made sure that there was a Terry Fox Run at every Four Seasons location around world, which is part of the reason why you can find runs in more than 50 nations.
Scott Taber has helped to run the Singapore Terry Fox Run for the last few years as the general manager of the Four Seasons Resort in that country. The Singapore event has also become the largest Terry Fox Run in the world, with more than 8,000 runners in 2003. Now the general manager of the Whistler Four Seasons, Taber hopes to continue that work here.
"When I moved to Canada a year ago… the first Sunday I was here was the Terry Fox Run. My wife had already been here for a few days, and before I knew it we were involved. I was thrilled to be able to jump in and lend the (organizers) a hand," said Taber.
"I know our hotel is committed to help any way we can here. The bottom line is to help raise as much money as we can for the foundation and the work they’re doing."
Taber actually met Betty Fox, Terry’s mother, and heard the story over dinner.
"You’ve heard Terry’s story a thousand times, but only when you hear from his mom do you really get a sense of how hard it was for him to do his run, how he struggled," said Taber.
"I’m a runner myself, I’ve been doing the Terry Fox Run every year since 1985. I just want to see as many people come out and participate in this wonderful event."
This year the Four Seasons has made the Whistler event more interesting, donating the food and hosting a raffle with a list of prizes that includes stays at the hotel’s Vancouver, Miami and Maui locations. All registered runners and walkers will receive a free raffle ticket, and more tickets will be available at the event.
Joanne Petak, the organizer of the Whistler Terry Fox Run, has her own reasons for helping to run the race. She is a Leukemia survivor who moved to Whistler in 1999 while still recovering from her treatments. She also lost her mother to breast cancer.
Now Petak uses her experiences to counsel other cancer victims, their friends and their families, and to run a local support group that has 25 members from Whistler, Pemberton and Squamish.
Working on the Terry Fox Run, she says she is always impressed by the level of energy and community spirit in Whistler.
"It’s so much more than a run, it really has become a community event where people can get together with their friends and neighbours and hang out. You forget that it’s still a small town sometimes, and seeing everybody talking and having a good time really brings that home," said Petak.
Having the Four Seasons on board this year has helped a lot, says Petak, who is hoping to double the amount of funds raised this year.
"It’s always been a one-man job in the past, putting this together, and the Four Seasons has really helped with everything, including all the different fundraising initiatives, and I believe we’ll double our revenue this year as a result of their involvement," she said.
Although she doesn’t know how many cancer patients there are in Whistler, she says people would probably be surprised just how common it is.
"A lot of people say it’s such a young town that nobody here has cancer. I’m only 34 and I was diagnosed when I was 27. Probably 50 per cent of the people in my group are young adults," said Petak. "Most of them were active and healthy – still are for the most part. Some have been lucky like I have been and been cured, and others are still living with it.
"I think for people who know somebody who has been affected, or have been affected themselves, (the Terry Fox Run) is a way we can all help out, find something good in it, and turn a negative in my life into a positive.
"This really is a celebration of life."
The Terry Fox Run begins and ends at the Riverside Campground and RV Park on Mons Road this Sunday, Sept. 19
The sign-on begins at 9 a.m. and the 10 kilometre run or walk starts at 10 a.m., rain or shine. Participation is by donation, and all participants will receive raffle tickets for the prize draw.
After the run there will be food, drinks, face painting for children, and live entertainment provided courtesy of Guitar Doug.
For more information on the Terry Fox Run or the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research, visit www.terryfoxrun.org.
