Marathon of Hope returns after pandemic hiatus

By Justin Seward on September 20, 2022.

For the first time in two years, the Lethbridge Terry Fox Run hosted an in-person at Legacy Park on Sunday morning.

The 42nd installment of the Marathon of Hope run allows runners and walkers to lace their shoes up and raise funds for cancer research.

“This is a good turnout for us,” said Lorien Johansen, Lethbridge Terry Fox organization committee co-chair. “We usually have between 100-175. We set very conservative goals this year because it was our first year back and there are still some people who are uncomfortable being in crowds. I’m very pleased with the turnout, everybody looks to be having a good time and we have surpassed our fundraising goal already.

The fundraising goal was initially set at $4,000 and were $60 short of it at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.

“So by the time we get through the donations, we have surpassed our $4,000 goal,” said Johansen.

“I don’t know by how much yet but we won’t know that for another couple of days.”

Johansen said this is a way to be involved in affecting change and advancements in cancer research.

“Every single person here has been touched by cancer in some way, shape or form – whether it’s a cancer survivor themselves or lost a loved one or they’ve had a loved one that’s survived,” she said.

Jo-Anne Wilson has participated in most of the Lethbridge runs since its inception and started earnestly when her son was diagnosed in 1986.

“It’s just very emotional,” said Wilson.

“I’ve had the honour of meeting his mom and his Uncle Terry every year, his brothers, his sister, I’ve met at different events and it’s just something that’s very inspiring.”

Wilson has always liked that there’s not a lot of administration costs with the Terry Fox Foundation.

“When you donate money, almost all of your money is going directly to the foundation and not to administrative costs,” she said.

“When you compare to other charities, it’s pretty impressive how much money actually goes directly to the cause.”

Uncle Terry Fox did a small speech prior to the run.

“Terry was my nephew and because of him and because of people like you who support him financially, I’m still here able to talk to you,” said Fox.

“For your knowledge, I’ve had cancer 19 years – 10 years I had prostate cancer- and they said to me, Terry, we think you’ve got it beat. So they did one more check on me, and guess what, it had moved into my bladder and they said you’ve got bladder cancer which I’ve had for nine years. I’m so lucky I’m still able to talk to you because of people like you that help out the run and my nephew.”