Pipestone Flyer
On average, 500 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer every day, making fundraising and awareness events like the annual and nationwide Terry Fox Run critical.
This year marks the 32nd annual Terry Fox Run for cancer research. Participants can bike, walk, run, rollerblade, scooter or stroll a two, five or ten kilometer course along Telford Lake, and around the LRC and ball diamonds.
Dogs are welcome to the fundraising event, as water bowls are provided along the course. This year’s Leduc event saw nearly 200 come out and contribute more than $10,000 raised for the Terry Fox Foundation.
For every dollar the foundation collects, 84 cents are given to research, which makes the Terry Fox Foundation one of the most fiscally sound foundations out there today.
Lindsay Weir, coordinator of the Leduc run, shared her reasons for her involvement, “As children, our mom encouraged us to participate in the Terry Fox Run every year. As I now have children of my own, a six year old and a four year old, I make sure to include them. This year, I have an extra reason to be involved, as I lost a beloved friend to cancer this summer; Jackie Truitt (a local realtor and community champion who passed away this summer) was like a second mom to me.”
With registration starting at 10am and a BBQ planned for 11:30, the event was free to participants and volunteers and $4 for visitors and supporters. Brendan Guy on the stage entertained in his own lively style, and some kids’ activities were set up nearby, this made for a busy day for organizers. Nearly 20 volunteers had planned and set up the day, also providing support, cheers and water to Run participants.
Before the run, Laura Tillack, owner of True Touch Massage & Fitness, warmed up a large group of participants.
A prayer was offered by Elmer Watson, and touching speeches were delivered by Mayor Greg Krishke and regional MLA George Rogers.
For the fourth year, Leduc resident Christine Neville-Purchase participated with her four year old son Christopher and this year, with her newborn daughter and their grandma Flo Purchase, an Alaska resident, who was a Terry Fox Run-Nova Scotia coordinator many years ago and who introduced her to the cause.
And impressive group of sixteen adults and one dog, all clad in t-shirts bearing the logo, “Alex’s Angels’ raised almost $2,500 and were led by team captain Kendra Heck, whose beloved grandpa, Alex Feduschak of Northern Alberta, passed away in October 2010 of pancreatic cancer.
Their Leduc relative is Doreen Schmidt, who set a fire under his six daughters and grandkids to join in the Leduc Run. The family was also participating in memory of Uncle Donald Asmussen who passed away last April of esophagus cancer.
Among the runners, Mathieu Boote, an EIA air traffic controller and Bridgeport resident participated with wife Nathalie and their son Alexandre. They had a health scare earlier this year - things are on the mend! - and for the third year, chose to support cancer research this way, as a family.
Four Leduc real estate gals did the run together, to honor the memory of their friend, co-worker and community champion Jackie Truitt, who succumbed this summer to this dreaded disease after a short and valiant battle. Zdenka Turner, Claire Durstling (now retired), Claire Pellerin and Kathie Massey walked at a brisk pace, and seemed to enjoy the companionship and fine weather.
Among the many volunteers, Jim Jones (a City of Leduc manager) and Linda Mix-Kondratski were eagerly patrolling the course and offering support when and where needed. They shared their heartfelt support of this critical event in the city of Leduc.
The Start/Finish area was displaying a large blanket of Terry Fox Run t-shirts of previous years, artfully created by Doreen Gano, a ‘merchandise’ table where current and last year’s run t-shirts were sold, and of course, the BBQ manned by members of the Leduc Lions Club. Leduc emerging artist Brendan Guy continued to entertain the crowd until the very end of the Run!
Parents pushing strollers, children with helmets riding bikes and scooters, dogs on leash, seniors walking or jogging lightly, runners with ‘talking’ smart phone Nike apps (telling them how fast and how far they had come), this community event was a fine example of fitness supporting a great cause, the Terry Fox Run to support Cancer Research.
Coordinator Lindsay Weir profusely thanked the participants, volunteers and sponsors, reminding us that, “If you missed it this year, don’t fret, there’s always next year.”
Pictured: Blizzard Fox and Elmer Watson greet Laura Tillack and kids at the finish line Photo by Dominique Vrolyk