Cancer survivors, loved ones participate in Terry Fox Day run to raise funds for research

Bob Adkins, his family and friends were among hundreds of people who participated in the Winnipeg Terry Fox run Sunday to honour their loved ones and the Canadian hero's legacy to raise funds for cancer research.

Adkins said he was walking the Terry Fox run in memory of his wife Nancy Adkins, who died in September of last year from cancer, and for his oldest son Mark Adkins, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2018. 

Mark participated in the first Terry Fox run when he was in kindergarten and continued to do so until his death. His 13-year-old son at the time thought it would be a good idea for their extended family and friends to start running the race every year, Bob said, after finishing the 44th annual 2.5-kilometre race at Assiniboine Park on Sunday afternoon. 

"For the period of time just getting ready when I write little notes to send people or tell them about where it's happening, it just brings back a flood of memories."

Bob's family wears red Team Nancy and Mark shirts and hats to stand united in their efforts to raise money for cancer research, and they've collected more than $15,000 for the cause, according to the Terry Fox Foundation's fundraising website. 

Terry Fox was only 18 when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a cancer that led to the amputation of his right leg above the knee. He spent the next 18 months training for his Marathon of Hope where he ran a marathon a day across Canada, starting in St. John's on April 12, 1980. 

He ran more than halfway — 5,373 kilometres — when he was forced to stop because the cancer had returned. He surpassed his goal of raising the equivalent of $1 from every Canadian before he died on June 28, 1981.

More than $900 million has been raised for cancer research through the Terry Fox Research Institute, which donates funds to scientists, clinics and hospitals in Canada, according to the institute's website. 

Jennifer Graham, who's a breast cancer survivor and participated in the run, raised over $2,500 this year toward the Winnipeg run's $65,000 goal. 

"There are a lot of people cheering and rooting for you when you go through cancer and it's sometimes hard to feel inspired to put one foot in front of the other during treatment," Graham said. 

"There's some really low and tough times but when you come to an event like this where there's so many different people that are here for the same reason. It's very inspiring and it motivates me to continue on."

Another participant, Yan Cong, who was running alongside 32 team members with the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association that has raised over $1,000 for the cause, says the organization translates the event in Chinese so it's accessible for people in their community. 

"Sometimes we'll know members that get cancer and then we want to do our best to support cancer research because that will also benefit our community and our members," Cong said after the run. 

Terry's younger brother Darrell Fox, told CBC Radio's Up to Speed host Faith Fundal on Friday that Terry would be "pretty happy" and thankful to see all of the funds raised today by Canadians.