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Terry Fox Run returns for 39th year

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When the annual Terry Fox Run returns to Wallaceburg on Sept. 15, you can be sure Sheila Findlater will be among the participants.

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Since 1995 the Wallaceburg woman has walked in the event, and her annual appearance continues to be an inspiration to organizers and others.

This year will be Findlater’s 24th Terry Fox Run in Wallaceburg.

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“In the beginning I used to get sponsors, and later I sponsored my children who walked in it, but I still did the walk,” she said. “And I’ll be there again this year.”

The 90-year-old moved to Wallaceburg in 1994, after living for many years in Mooretown. Born in England, Findlater immigrated to Canada in 1952 and originally lived in Alberta before moving to Ontario.

Her sister, still living in England, died of breast cancer many decades ago, and Findlater says her sister’s experience, and especially the story of Terry Fox, are constant reminders of why she walks.

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“I’m old enough to remember Terry’s Marathon of Hope in 1980, and that he stopped his cross-Canada run at Thunder Bay later that summer, and that he died the following June,” said Findlater.

“It was an unbelievable thing that he did, and it still remains an unbelievable thing, just to think that he tried to run across Canada after losing a leg to cancer. I can’t forget that.”

Moira and Brad Eggett, organizers of Wallaceburg’s Terry Fox Run, appreciate Findlater’s passion for the annual event and believe her kind of commitment is what’s kept the event going for 39 years.

Wallaceburg was among those Canadian communities that were part of the very first Terry Fox run in September 1981, and Moira Eggett is pleased it has continued. Last year there were roughly 125 participants, and they included a mix of roller bladers, joggers, cyclists, people pushing strollers, and others using a wheelchair.

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Eggett stresses that even though the name of the event is the Terry Fox Run, the event can include any type of participation.

“It’s not a run, although it’s called a run, it’s anything,” she said. “We actually choose the route based on the availability of people who are walking or pushing strollers or whatever. We keep the route on roads or hard surfaces for that reason.”

The Sept. 15 Terry Fox Run will begin at Fountain Park in downtown Wallaceburg. Registration is at 9 a.m. and the “run” begins at 10 a.m.

Eggett said the route ranges from from one kilometre to 10 kilometres and participants are under no obligation to complete it.

“It’s informal, meaning that the distance can vary for every participant,” she said. “Participation is considered to be the most important part, more important than completing the route. It’s not a competition.”

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Eggett is encouraging as many people as possible to get involved.

“Terry’s goal in 1980 was to raise exactly one dollar for every Canadian, and so that’s always been our thing. We’re encouraging people to grab a pledge sheet and to talk to their friends. If you have 10 friends, ask them to support you for a dollar each. That’s 10 dollars.”

Eggett said the goal last year in Wallaceburg was to raise $15,000, and that goal remains intact this year.

People can register online at the Terry Fox organization, or they can pick up a pledge sheet at various locations in Wallaceburg. They include Taylor’s Variety, Radio 99.1, or New Vision Optical.

Eggett said Wallaceburg and other smaller Canadian communities are part of the reason why the Terry Fox Run has become a national institution and why they continue to be successful. She said she and husband attended an organizational weekend and were amazed with the number of smaller communities that were represented.

“The bigger places just weren’t as well represented,” she said. “The small communities seem to be keeping this event alive. And Wallaceburg is among them. This town was part of the very first Fox Run in 1981. Wallaceburg was part of it right off the bat.”

Eggett said the Terry Fox Run is something that ought to have widespread support in the community, given the impact cancer can have on individuals and families.

“I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t been impacted by cancer,” she said.

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