Medicine Hat's Tracey Wilson has been a part of the Terry Fox Run for close to 20 years. (Photo Courtesy of Colton McKee)

By Chris Brown

Virtual run on Sept. 20

Hatter says it’s in everyone to keep Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope going

Sep 20, 2020 | 8:41 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It’s been 40 years since Terry Fox dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean, beginning his Marathon of Hope.

After starting from St. John’s, Nfld. on April 12, 1980 was forced to stop his run on Sept. 1, 1980 near Thunder Bay, Ont.

Each September since, Canadians have come together to raise money for cancer research, trying to bring Terry’s goal of finding a cure to the finish line.

This year, The Terry Fox Foundation asks runners to “unite in spirit, not in person” with virtual runs on Sept. 20.

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Medicine Hat’s Tracey Wilson has been involved with the Terry Fox Run for around 20 years as a participant and organizer, volunteer and fundraiser through the Medicine Hat Kinette Club.

She calls Terry a real Canadian hero.

“To me, it’s a legacy that Canadians should be proud of,” said Wilson. “It started out you know just by him wanting to raise a million dollars and then ‘maybe we can get one dollar for every Canadian.’ And 40 years later they’re over $800 million and that’s amazing and that’s something that we want to see continue.”

Wilson says that every year when she registers she reads the story of the Marathon of Hope. She’s always struck by one quote.

“He said, ‘It’s got to keep going without me,'” said Wilson. “When he was forced to stop running he actually said ‘you know what maybe people can do their own thing. Just because I can’t it doesn’t have to stop here.’ And I think that’s one way that people can keep going. He had to stop but everybody has it in themselves to do something amazing for cancer research.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there are not organized runs taking place this year. Wilson is encouraging people to do their own thing, saying they can walk around their block or go to a local park.

“Do the walk, ride a bike, anything just to get active and support the Terry Fox Run and its meaning. I encourage everybody to donate to it whether or not you can participate. You can always just go online and do a donation to the organization itself.”