'I lost a good friend to cancer this week': Participants honour loved ones in 41st annual Terry Fox Run
For the second consecutive year during the pandemic, walkers and runners did the annual Terry Fox Run without any pomp and circumstance.
The run was 'virtual' again, which meant participants were supposed to just do their run on their own terms.
Among the hundreds who ran past the Terry Fox Memorial at Greenway Park in London, Ont. was the Strong Family.
"We're doing a memory of my sister Maureen who passed away at the age of 40 in 2007," says Ray Strong, alongside his sister Maryanne.
When Maureen passed away from colon cancer, her nine siblings, parents and extended family began doing the Terry Fox Run.
"We wanted to do something in memory of her," says Strong.
"So that's when we kicked this off 14 years ago. So we've been very successful, as to date, I think our current total is around $230,000 for the 14 years.”
The Strong family from Windsor, Ont, Newmarket, London and Grand Bend met in London, Ont. to do the 41st Annual Terry Fox Run in London, Ont. on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (Brent Lale/CTV London)
The Strong's are some of the contributors to the Terry Fox Foundation which has raised $750 million. Organizers in London are calling this year's event another success with online totals surpassing $90,000.
Among those pounding the pavement on the Terry Fox Parkway were a couple of 'Everytimers.' Seventy-six-year-old Keith Tapp, and 74-year-old Tom Massel have participated in all 41 Terry Fox Runs.
"I have to keep doing it," says Massel.
"I just lost a good friend to cancer just on Wednesday. Her passing is another reminder of why we should be doing this and trying to raise funds to try to reduce the pain from families and individuals.”
Massel says he plans on continuing to do this run every year as long as he's healthy.
"I walk a little more now, that's why I am able to keep doing it," joked Massel.
Terry's brother Fred calls it a 'day of reflection.’
"I think about my mom and dad today who are both not with us anymore," says Fred Fox, Terry's brother.
"They did so much hard work over the years. So, today is a day of thankfulness as well for what people have done to keep Terry's dream alive.”
Keith Tapp, 76, of London, Ont. is one of the 'EveryTimers' who have done all 41 Terry Fox Runs in London, Ont. on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (Brent Lale/CTV London)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.