A new organizer is set to take over the reigns of the Terry Fox Run in Wallaceburg.
Brad Eggett, who owns New Vision Optical in downtown Wallaceburg, told the Sydenham Current he has committed to taking over the event next year.
Doug and Leah McArthur have handled the duties for the past 10 years.
“They have done a great job,” Eggett said.
“I’m committed and our goal is to try and get some new people out.”
The run in Wallaceburg this year raised over $9,000 and around 100 people participated.
“It’s always great to see a few new faces,” Eggett said.
“The core group seemed to dwindle a bit this year. Traffic seemed to be a bit down.”
Eggett said Wallaceburg has always had a successful run, and combined with the on-going success of the Dresden run and school runs, it has led to a strong showing in the area.
“I loves how grassroots the organization is,” he said.
Eggett said he is impressed that:
1) Approximately 95% of the funds raised by the Terry Fox Foundation goes directly to cancer research
2) The funds are divided up amongst different cancer researchers.
The legacy left by Terry Fox inspires him as well, Eggett said.
“I’m 51-years-old and I remember seeing Terry come through London when I was 15,” he said. “Hero is an important word to me, and Terry Fox is my Canadian hero.”
Eggett said he is going to look into new ways to generate more participation in the event.
The Terry Fox Run is a non-competitive event where people get together as individuals, families, and groups to raise money for cancer research in Terry’s name. It is a day of celebrating Terry’s legacy and helping to keep alive his dream of finding a cure for cancer.
Terry Fox Runs take place in over 9,000 communities across Canada every year and are accessible to anyone in a non-competitive atmosphere.
Participants can run, walk, blade or bike and most of all have fun while raising funds for cancer research.
– Photo credit: Terry Fox Foundation on Facebook
