One Sunday in September every year, Cathy Davis has a date with her dad.
“As a young woman when I saw Terry (Fox) running across and they started this run, I said that this was my date with my dad. I never thought my date was going to last 40 years,” said Davis, explaining her dad died of lung cancer when she was 12.
Today she's the organizer of the Terry Fox Run in Timmins.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope, which ended outside Thunder Bay Sept. 1, 1980.
COVID-19 has changed how the Terry Fox Run will look this year, but the annual fundraiser is going ahead Sunday, Sept. 20.
“We’re participating wherever you are, around your neighbourhood, backyard, down the street, around the block even. We can’t be together, but we’ll be together in spirit,” said Davis.
While this year's event will look different, Davis said it's important to keep raising money for research.
Knowing that people will be participating at Gillies Lake, Davis said if people have pledge sheets or donations to drop off they can do so there on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be no tent or table, she said to look for the Terry Fox signs. Social distancing and mask requirements will be followed.
“We’ve been very fortunate, we’ve had some beautiful Sundays for Terry Fox so we’re keeping our fingers crossed again,” she said.
Over the years, the local run has raised more than $500,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. That tally is for the community event and doesn't include money that local schools have raised over the years.
