The 35th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope on Sunday marked two significant repeats in the Port Coquitlam hero's legacy.
Not only was ocean water collected at the site where Terry Fox started his epic journey in Newfoundland and the spot where he, too, collected chilly Atlantic water but his eldest brother made the same plea Fox made in 1980, asking Canadians to give $1 apiece to help with the fight against cancer.
At that time, Fox's goal was to raise $24 million for the Canadian Cancer Society. Now, Fred Fox is asking for $35 million for the Terry Fox Foundation, a charity that has raised more than $700 million since the one-legged runner began his campaign.
Heather Goresky Caslor, program co-ordinator for the Terry Fox Foundation in Newfoundland, said Sunday was a symbolic day for the community of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove. The Rev. Bill Strong went to the same place he took Terry Fox on April 12, 1980, to dip his prosthetic leg and fill a jug, hoping to pour it into the Pacific Ocean once the cross-country Marathon of Hope was complete.
On Sunday, Rev. Strong collected a jar of ocean water that was then relayed by 35 participants to St. Francis of Assisi school. There, more than 200 people including Fox's three siblings and their father, Rolly recognized the historic day.
"There was also a presentation made to Rolly by Chief Officer Matthew Wheaton from the Terry Fox Coast Guard Icebreaker, of a flag that flew on the ship," Goresky said.
Meanwhile, across Canada, Running Room stores hosted walk/run events to start the fundraising season for this year's Terry Fox Run. The Terry Fox Run takes place on Sept. 20, including the Hometown Run in PoCo as well as other Tri-City runs..
To donate to the Terry Fox Foundation, visit terryfox.org.
@jwarrenTC
