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| Above: Runners round the Keele campus during the 2009 Terry Fox run |
On Sunday, students, staff and faculty of York University will join the members of the surrounding communities in honouring and continuing the legacy of Terry Fox by participating in the 30th annual Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Run.
Led by Christine Mitsubata, a fourth-year York student and charity & entertainment director at york is U, runners will set off at 10am from the Tait McKenzie Centre to run, ride, walk and in-line skate around the route.
The Terry Fox Run is a non-competitive charity event in commemoration of Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, which Fox ran with one prosthetic leg. For the past nine years, York University has served as an official site for the annual run, and this year’s run promises to be as popular as previous years. 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.
“The Terry Fox Run gives everyone a chance to make a difference in the world, because one dollar could make the world for one person. Although cancer treatments have significantly improved since Terry’s time, the fact is that more than 455 Canadians receive this dreaded news every day. 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,” says Mitsubata.
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| Above: Participants limber up for the start of the 2009 run |
Terry Fox Run registration will begin at 9am on Sunday at the north side of the Tait McKenzie Centre, followed by the run which will take place from 10am to 12pm 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’s organizer. There will be free parking for all participants in the Northwest Gate Lot, provided by York’s Parking Administration, Campus Services & Business Operations.
New to York this year, the Great Canadian Hair “Do” is taking place today, at Vari Hall from 10am to 3pm. Members of York and its surrounding communities are invited to come out and show their support for cancer research by donating, becoming a participant, as well as, cheering on their fellow students, staff and faculty as they get wacky hair-dos for this great cause. Along with Hair “Do”, participants can also get their head shaved to raise money. Hairdos and head shaves are provided courtesy of Klik’s Beauty Centre in York Lanes. Many York students, staff and faculty are excitedly taking part in this event.
At 6pm, back-to-back charity Movie Nights are being held in Vari Hall A, screening The Prince of Persia and the The Back-up Plan.
Runners can collect money on pledge sheets, donate money on the run and/or the Hair “Do” 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 the Keele campus. Those making pledges should consider donating online as it saves 80 per cent of the administrative costs for the event. To donate online, visit the Terry Fox Run website All runners who come participate will receive a certificate to commemorate their contribution to the cause.
“We are here to show our support and that we care,” said Renesse Amin, a second-year criminology & social science student. “It is important to continue Terry Fox’s legacy for the sake of our future. Whatever gift we give can make a difference in a person’s life.”
For more information, visit the Terry Fox website or e-mail Christine Mitsubata, york is U charity & entertainment director.