The Orillia Terry Fox Run Committee held a car convoy event around Terry Fox Circle Tuesday evening to mark the anniversary of the day the Marathon of Hope stopped in Orillia.
On that memorable July day in 1980, Fox gave a rousing speech at the Rotary Aqua Theatre.
“This is our way of (honouring) the date when Terry ran through our region 41 years ago,” said Alison Stoneman, the organizer of the annual Orillia Terry Fox run.
In previous years the occasion has been marked with various events, activities, and gatherings. During the last two years, the event has been limited to a car convoy because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We try to celebrate the event in some way every year, and we still wanted to celebrate this occasion without gathering during the pandemic,” Stoneman said.
Despite the pandemic, Stoneman says it’s important to keep Fox’s story alive.
“It’s important for the City of Orillia to recognize its part in Terry Fox’s story. Because he wasn’t able to finish his run, many cities across the country did not have the honour that we did to hear him speak and see him run,” she said.
“I was lucky enough to be in the audience that day and hear his story, but generations now did not have the chance to hear him speak live and see the passion that he had.”
Stoneman hopes that events like the car convoy and the annual Terry Fox run will help keep the spirit of the Marathon of Hope alive.
“Terry’s story is incredible; he had a dream of raising money and awareness for cancer research and making a difference in the lives of those impacted by the illness,” she explained.
“Today, 41 years later, we are still raising money and awareness in his name, and we’ve raised over $850 million for cancer research. We have made a difference, Terry made a difference. So, it’s important to realize that one person can make a difference," said Stoneman.
This year’s Orillia Terry Fox run takes place on Sep. 19. To register, donate, or for more information, click here.
