By: Teresa Latchford

Got a buck?

That’s all it will take to help the Newmarket’s 2008 Terry Fox run.

In 1980, Mr. Fox was quoted as saying, “When I started this run, I said that if we all gave one dollar, we’d have $22 million for cancer research and I don’t care, man, there’s no reason that isn’t possible.”

In a few weeks, Canadian citizens will lace up their runners for the 28th annual Terry Fox Marathon of Hope.

Newmarket organizers and volunteers have taken the quote to heart and have, once again, coined this year’s campaign Just a Buck, which set a record last year when Newmarket participants raised just shy of $49,000 with 534 participants.

“If you give $1, you are part of the marathon of hope,” said volunteer Muriel Lee, adding, “We are hoping the event grows every year.”

Newmarket’s first Terry Fox Run in 1994 had 155 participants and raised just more than $9,000 for cancer research.

From its inception in 1994 to 2007, Newmarket has raised more than $370,000 in Terry Fox’s name.

Residents’ dedication to the event has been steadily on the rise every year.

“I really think Terry put a name and a face to cancer,” Mrs. Lee added.

“The fact is, anyone can be Terry Fox, he was just a normal guy who was touched by cancer and decided to do something about all the suffering he was seeing while lying in his hospital bed.”

Laurie Osborne, co-organizer of run day with Rocco Facchini, agrees Mr. Fox is a person rather than a corporation. Just a man with a dream, she said, who every person can relate to.

“It is one of the few charities where 90 cents of every dollar goes to the research,” Ms Osborne said. “The foundation has held up Terry’s values since he did the first run.”

The 10 committee members began planning the event in June, kicking off the Just a Buck campaign Canada Day weekend. The group is thankful for the 100 volunteers the event requires every year, a large majority being students.

“It seems everyone we meet every year has a Terry Fox story,” Ms Osborne said.

The Newmarket Terry Fox Run  takes place Sept. 14 at the Ray Twinney Complex at 100 Eagle St. W. with registration at 8:30 a.m. and a 9 a.m. start. Participants can choose a five or 10-kilometre course.

The event is wheelchair accessible and participants can walk, run, bike or rollerblade.

A free barbecue and fun activities for the entire family will follow the event, including prizes and karate demonstrations by Robinson’s Karate School.

Pledge forms are available at the Newmarket Public Library and at local community and recreation centres across Newmarket.

There is no minimum amount to raise to participate in the event.

To register for an event or to make a donation online, visit www.terryfoxrun.org

Terry Fox events across York Region Sept. 14:

• Aurora, Sheppards Bush Soccer Fields, Industrial Parkway South, 10 a.m. start
• Georgina and Keswick, De La Salle Park, 10 a.m. start
• King City, Wellesley Park, corner of Keele Street and King Side Road, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Oak Ridges, Brickworks Park, across from Lake Wilcox Community Centre on Wildwood Avenue, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.