Above: Runners get ready for the 2008 Terry Fox Run at York’s Keele campus
On Sunday, York students, staff and faculty will join members of the surrounding community in honouring and continuing the legacy of Terry Fox by running in the 29th annual Terry Fox Run.
For the past nine years, York’s Keele campus has served as an official site for the annual run. The York community has raised more than $116,000 for cancer research and, this year, organizers hope to add another $10,000 to the total.
Led by Christine Mitsubata, a third-year York student, runners will set off at 10am from the Tait McKenzie Centre to run, ride, walk and in-line skate around the route. “Terry Fox is an inspiration,” says, Mitsubata, charity and entertainment director of york is U. “Although cancer treatments have significantly improved since Terry’s time, the fact is that more than 455 Canadians receive the dreaded news every day [that they have cancer]. Therefore, it is essential that we find a cure. Through the Terry Fox Run we can each do our part to ensure that we get one step closer to this goal.”
Registration begins at 9am, Sunday, at the north side of the Tait McKenzie Centre, followed by the run which will take place from 10am to noon along Ian Macdonald Boulevard to Chimneystack Road. Participants choose their distances, anywhere from two to 10 kilometres. There will be volunteers and coordinators on the sidelines cheering on participants at every step of the way. Water and light refreshments will be provided to all participants, courtesy of york is U, the event organizer. There will be free parking for all participants in the Northwest Gate Lot, provided by York’s Parking Service, Campus Services & Business Operations.
Runners can collect money on pledge sheets, donate money on the run and/or head shave day, contribute through the "Toonies for Terry" cash boxes that will be placed throughout York Lanes and the Student Centre or donate online. Pledge sheets are available from the York is U office, 326 in the Student Centre, on Keele campus.
Those making pledges should consider donating online as it saves 80 per cent of the administrative costs for the event. To donate to a participant online, visit the Terry Fox Run Web site. All runners who participate will receive a certificate to commemorate their contribution to the cause and Jos. Louis snack cakes, Terry’s favourite snack during his run. “The fight against cancer is long from over,” said Ganna Sotnykov, food & beverage coordinator and third-year political science student. “It is important to continue Terry Fox’s legacy for the sake of our future.”
For more information on the run, visit the Terry Fox Run Web site or the york is U Web site.
Above: Participants in the 2008 head shave show off their bald pates
Great Canadian Head Shave returns
Returning to York after a very successful first year, the Great Canadian Head Shave takes place on Friday – Terry Fox Works Day – at Vari Hall from noon to 2pm. Members of the York community are invited to come out and support cancer research by donating, becoming a participant, as well as cheering on fellow students, staff and faculty as they get their heads shaved for this great cause.
Head shaves are provided by Klik’s Beauty Centre in York Lanes. Donations for the Head Shave can be made online.