Running for research at the Terry Fox Run
Sunday September 7 2008
By LORI SHERMAN
Terry Wood lovingly flips through the pages of a large handmade scrapbook in a coffee shop in north Brampton. Filled with photographs, poems, newspaper clippings and letters- the pages tell the 20-year story of her involvement with the Terry Fox Run.
With a little encouragement from her niece, Wood first signed up in 1988 as a participant in Sudbury. "I was willing but didn't think much about my involvement beyond the fact I was about to walk 10 km and pay for the privilege to do so," said Wood during a recent speech to the Rotary Club of Bramalea.Then Wood's children enrolled at Terry Fox Public School in Heart Lake and the annual Run became a family event, with each member collecting pledges and taking part.Dubbed the 'Wood Walkers', her husband, daughter and two sons participated by walking, rollerblading or cycling."We continued along merrily for more than a decade content that we were doing something good to help nameless, faceless sufferers of cancer."That changed in 2001, when Wood's older brother was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer. The niece who urged Wood to participate in the run 13 years before was now facing losing her father to cancer."It was a frightening reality," said Wood. "For me, he always represented the same sort of presence as Terry Fox. He was a giver. He was a fighter. He wasn't always the nicest person, but he fought for what he believed in and I just thought, I have to got to do something more."That same year, Wood learned the Terry Fox Run in Brampton lacked an organizer. She saw this as the opportunity she'd been searching for.Her brother died just one month before the run. "My heart was breaking but if Rick's story would inspire others, I was determined to share it," wrote Wood next to photographs in her scrapbook. This year marks her fifth year as organizer. According to Wood, her biggest challenge is letting the community know the run is happening. "There is no advertising budget for this." She says this is staying true to Terry Fox's wishes."He wanted every dollar to go towards cancer research."To date, the Terry Fox Foundation donates 87 cents of every dollar to research, compared to an average 65 cents by other charities.Wood's event is one of two taking place in Brampton this year.Another run will take place on the same day, Sunday, Sept. 14, from Ken Whillans Square in downtown Brampton, 8 a.m. to noon.Wood's event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Terry Fox Public School, 95 Richvale Dr., in Heart Lake. Sites are wheelchair accessible.Both measure 10 km, but Wood notes not everyone needs to finish the full length of the course."An expert runner could come and be done in minutes or a family could come and be there for hours. It's really informal."There is no fee to participate. People can choose to collect pledges or simply show up on the day and make a donation."You don't even have to make a donation," said Wood. "Maybe you don't have the money, but still want to participate. It's like Terry said, no one is excluded.""Everyone can make a difference. Sadly there will come a day when each and every one of us will be affected, whether indirectly or directly, by cancer," said Wood. Pledge forms can be picked up from local libraries or recreation centres, or found online at www.terryfoxrun.org If interested in becoming a volunteer or looking for more information about Run Day call 1-888-836-9786.