Strathmore Terry Fox Run may be cancelled

Times Reporter   

 

Strathmore could end up losing the annual Terry Fox Run this year if an organizer for the Sept. 15 event isn’t found. 

“It would be such a shame for the people of Strathmore to miss out on an opportunity to keep Terry’s legacy alive as every community no matter how big or small can make a huge impact, just as Terry learned when a small town of 10,000 people raised over $10,000,” says Rhonda Risebrough, Provincial Director for the Terry Fox Foundation Alberta, Northwest Territories & Nunavut. 

The event is coming up fast, and Risebrough said if they can’t find an organizer they will have to cancel this year’s event, something the Terry Fox Foundation is hoping to avoid. 

“I think the most important thing is just to continue Terry’s legacy in Strathmore, we don’t necessarily want to skip a year if we can help it. If we can’t find an organizer for this year then we will start looking for one for next year but it’s just nice to have that tradition carry,” said Risebrough. 

“We don’t expect a certain amount to be raised, there’s no minimum to be raised it’s just an opportunity to give everyone a chance to take part.”

She said the level of commitment from the organizer wouldn’t be more than a couple of hours per week, and could even be much less than that. The first and most pressing issue the organizer would have to deal with is contacting the town to see if the route from last year, which runs along part of Brent Blvd, is available. If not, then they would need to track down a new one, which could take a little time. 

After that the foundation would send out posters, pledge sheets and info for the Facebook and Twitter pages for the organizer to be able to promote the run. 

The day of the run, Sept. 15, the organizer would need to commit to the full day, and would need to find volunteers to help with registration. Risebrough said the foundation would also be able to spread the word and try to help find volunteers if needed.  

“That’s really the pressing thing is finding an organizer willing to take it on and make sure those logistics are looked after first and foremost,” said Risebrough. 

A group or an individual may take on the role as run organizer for Strathmore’s 2013 Terry Fox Run. Since the Marathon of Hope in 1980 the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $600 million and has helped shape cancer research. The foundation donates 84 cents of every dollar donated to cancer research in Terry’s name. Anyone interested in taking on the role of run organizer can contact Rhonda Risebrough at the Terry Fox Foundation by calling 1-888-836-9786 or by emailing abntnu@terryfoxrun.org.