North Thompson Star/Journal
Members of Terry Fox’s family and friends of the clan climbed his namesake mountain earlier this month — but not before Terry’s brother, Darrel, set out from Kamloops on a 350-kilometre bike trip to the peak.
“I wanted to add a little more excitement and pain,” Darrel said with a laugh.
“I buy into Terry’s thinking that life is short and we never know what might happen tomorrow, next week, next year. It will only be the 35th anniversary once and I was keen to do something a little more challenging while I am still able.”
On Sunday, Sept. 6 the Fox family gatheedr at the monument at Mount Terry Fox in Valemount. It will be the first time they have gathered there since the 8,500-foot mountain was named for Terry on Sept. 22, 1981 — 35 years ago.
They were joined by 50 Terry Foxers, a group of supporters who will join them on the 18-kilometre hike to the summit of Mount Terry Fox.
Darrel jumped on a bicycle and left Kamloops for Valemount on Friday Sept. 4 at 6 a.m. leaving from Tk’emlups Indian Band’s Powwow Grounds.
All of this had been done to promote the annual Terry Fox Run, which raises money for and awareness of cancer research every September. This year’s run will take place on Sept. 20, at the Barriere Bandshell, registration at 10 a.m.
In honour of Terry’s original fundraising request in 1980, The Terry Fox Foundation is asking every Canadian to donate a dollar in this commemorative year to support cancer research.
Donations to support the Fox family and Terry Foxers on the trek can be made online at http://www.terryfox.org/Mt_Terry_Fox_Trek.html
“Terry was all about setting and accomplishing goals, some of them pretty lofty, so a Mount Terry Fox is a nice analogy,” Darrell said. “Compared to Terry’s physical and mental accomplishments during the Marathon of Hope, it really is nothing to reach the top of Mount Terry Fox. I know I will be drawing on Terry for inspiration and strength along the way.”
Funds raised by The Terry Fox Foundation support research undertaken by The Terry Fox Research Institute.
To date, TFF has raised over $700 million for cancer research.