'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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.