$650 million and counting. His death was not in vain

NEWS RELEASE TERRY FOX RUN SAULT STE. MARIE ************************* September 8-14: Terry Fox Week - Sault Ste. Marie, ON 34 years ago, Terry Fox’s courageous battle with cancer ended with his death in June 1981.

NEWS RELEASE

TERRY FOX RUN

SAULT STE. MARIE

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September 8-14: Terry Fox Week - Sault Ste. Marie, ON

34 years ago, Terry Fox’s courageous battle with cancer ended with his death in June 1981.

It was a death that rocked the nation to its core.

Canadians were inspired as they watched Fox embark on what he’d hoped would be a cross-county Marathon of Hope to raise money for cancer research and awareness of the disease.

After more than 5,000 kilometres, having made it from St. John’s, Nfld., to the Thunder Bay area, a heartbroken nation mourned the loss of Fox, whose cancer spread, forcing him to end the journey of his life.

He died a month shy of his 23rd birthday.

But Fox’s death was not in vain.

Far from it, in fact. And the proof can be found in the hundreds of Terry Fox Runs held in Canada every year - one of which is held here in Sault Ste. Marie.

Mayor Debbie Amaroso proclaimed this week, September 8 - 14, to be Terry Fox Week in the City of Sault Ste. Marie, and encouraged citizens to attend the Terry Fox Run this Sunday, September 14, on a day designated as Terry Fox Run Day.

Let’s make sure this annual cause continue to grow, and let’s never forget the invaluable good that came from one young Canadian’s unbreakable spirit.

Terry Fox Day, this Sunday, September 14, the Sault Ste. Marie run will commence at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event features a run, walk, wheel or ride along the City’s beautiful waterfront. It is a fun, family filled day, with a kid’s zone, silent auction, and BBQ.

There is no minimum donation and no entry fee. Find out more at terryfox.org.

Marathon of Hope: By the numbers

Days Fox ran: 143
Kilometres run: 5,373
Average km per day: 37.57
Amount raised for cancer research during run: $1.7 million
Amount raised by his death, June 28, 1981: More than $24 million
Amount raised during first Terry Fox Run, Sept. 13, 1981: $3.5 million
Amount raised in 34 years of Terry Fox Runs: $650+ million
Amount raised in Sault Ste. Marie in 2013: $40,000
Amount raised in Sault Ste. Marie since 1982: $463,000
84 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to cancer research

(PHOTO: Members of the Terry Fox Organizing Committee holding the official proclamation (L-R): Chanel Fall, Collette Fall, Lindsay Koskenoja, Georgina Naccaratto. Poto provided by organizers)

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