Port Coquitlam Terry Fox Run draws thousands
Thousands of people flocked to Terry Fox’s hometown of Port Coquitlam, B.C., to take part in the annual run in his honour on Sunday.
"I remember him being a young man enjoying sports. He was a good athlete,” said Bruce Moore, Terry's soccer coach.
“He was just one of those guys that came out, gave 110 per cent — first on the field, last one off, great kid to coach because he was a good team player.”
Similar runs are held across Canada in Terry Fox’s honour, but in Port Coquitlam he’s known the hometown hero.
“It’s Terry Fox,” said volunteer Kim Nelson.
“He's a Canadian hero and he’s done a lot for cancer and raising awareness and fundraising. He’s an important guy."
Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope began and ended with his death 32 years ago.
The Terry Fox Foundation has since raised more than $600 million for cancer research.
Runner Odette Pepper told CBC News she has a personal reason for participating.
"Because I have cancer and I'm going through chemo and everything right now … so cancer fundraising is very, very important to me. We need to find a cure."
Eighty-four cents of every dollar raised in the run goes to cancer research.
“It’s because of the people that are here today that we will one day have a cure for cancer,” Terrance Fox, Terry’s nephew, told the crowd.
“So I just want to say, on behalf of myself and my family, it’s because of all of you today that one day Terry’s dream will come true.”
