Terry Fox Run seeks coordinator
By Janet Kanters Times Editor
The Strathmore Terry Fox Run is seeking a run coordinator to ensure the run continues in the area.
According to Christie Krawchuk, community fundraising and events coordinator with the Terry Fox Foundation, the Strathmore Terry Fox Run has raised thousands of dollars for cancer research through the community run and through area school’s runs.
“The Strathmore Terry Fox Run has been held every year since 1997 and has celebrated Terry and the foundation’s work in world-renowned cancer research,” said Krawchuk. “Our past run organizer in Strathmore has been involved with the foundation for decades but has recently fallen ill and is unable to continue on planning the run this year.”
The first Terry Fox Run in Strathmore was held in 1997 and raised $207. Since then, the Strathmore Terry Fox Run has raised a total of $63,000.
Krawchuk said the Terry Fox Foundation and its 9,000 runs are powered by volunteers, and that the foundation has one of the lowest staff-to-volunteer ratios of any not-for-profit in the country.
Krawchuk said much of the run organizer job description is to create awareness regarding the run and coordinating run site logistics. She added the job can be handled by an individual or a group of people.
“Many communities have one ‘lead’ run organizer who has a great volunteer committee behind them to get all the tasks done. Others have a group (such as the Legion, Lions Club, Kinsmen/Kinettes) that take it on and divide out tasks,” she said.
All promotional material needed for the run is provided by the foundation as well as event coaching and guidance as needed. “The Terry Fox Run experience is easy to succeed at and will prove to be very meaningful to the run organizer,” said Krawchuk.
Historically, the Strathmore Terry Fox Run has seen about 100 participants take part each year. Area schools also host their own Terry Fox Runs, said Krawchuk.
“The school runs are organized by a teacher who volunteers his/her time for their particular school run and their students.” Wheatland County schools have raised $325,700 over the past 21 years. Most of the schools across the country run during national school run week, Sept. 23.
Strathmore, meanwhile, is the only community run in Wheatland County, according to Krawchuk. This year’s run will be held on National Terry Fox Run Day, Sept. 15.
“The Terry Fox Run is a great way to honour and inspire Canadians who are or have been affected by cancer in any way,” said Krawchuk. “Terry was a true Canadian hero, having raised over $750 million for cancer research since his Marathon of Hope 39 years ago.”
Monies raised go towards cancer research through the Terry Fox Research Institute. In 2017-18, the Terry Fox Foundation funded 52 projects including researchers from 81 collaborating institutions.
“All Terry Fox Runs are all-inclusive, non-competitive and free to enter (although donations are welcomed and encouraged),” said Krawchuk. “The challenge is that we are not a ‘fancy run event’ – no medals, no fancy T-shirts and gifts. We would much rather put more financial resources in the hands of those that can help find a cure.”
If you or your organization are interested in the Strathmore Terry Fox Run coordinator position, contact Krawchuk at 403 212 1336 or email christie.krawchuk@terryfoxrun.org.