The seas of red shirts that are usually visible on the day of the annual Terry Fox Run will be a little different this year as Terry’s Team members head online for the big day.
When he was 18 months, Randy Greengrass was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a type of cancer that can damage tissue or cause lesions to form in one or more places in the body.
While the 43-year-old admits his illness made him want to be a part of the yearly fundraiser, he has stayed on because of what it brings out in everyone involved.
“It is a great event to be a part of and to help with, seeing everyone trying their best and helping each other out,” said Greengrass, who has been a member of Terry’s Team and involved in the Terry Fox Run since 2013.
The Terry’s Team campaign first started in 1988. While it was originally set up to have one member per province, in 1991 the team was opened to include all cancer survivors.
Made up of people battling the disease and survivors, Terry’s Team members are noticeable by the red shirts they wear on run day.
While they won’t be leading off runs in their municipalities this year because of COVIC-19, Terry’s Team members like Greengrass are still finding ways to push the donation numbers up.
“I’ve been a Terry’s Team captain of the Barrie run since 2017 and usually I’d go out and try to recruit people. This year, since everything is online, it can be a bit of a challenge,” Greengrass told BarrieToday. “We’re asking people to sign up through the website and on the day of their race to be active on social media.”
As COVID-19 continues to impact day-to-day life for many Canadians, the Terry Fox Foundation has decided to make the annual run a virtual event for people to do while still employing physical-distancing measures.
This year, participants are encouraged to walk, ride or run from wherever they can. Whether it is around the neighbourhood or in their home and backyard, it doesn't matter. Donations will still be accepted, and that's the important aspect.
Greengrass says Terry’s Team members can still be on other fundraising teams, but will also represent the group of cancer survivors nationwide.
“We’re trying to find different ways of making the best of a bad situation," he said. "It's really a race like no other that has ever happened so it may kind of be fun to see how it plays out.”
One of the fun ways Greengrass is getting the word out is by providing Terry’s Facts lawn signs. Terry’s Team members can contact Greengrass about receiving a lawn sign with information about the Marathon of Hope or the Terry Fox Run. For your sign, email Greengrass here.
To date, the Terry Fox Run has raised more than $750 million, with more than 25 countries participating.
Terry Fox died on June 28, 1981 at age 22 from cancer. He began his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, when he started his run from St. John’s, N.L., with the intent of running to his home province of British Columbia.
The run was stopped after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres when Fox was admitted to hospital with complications from the disease.
For more information on the 2020 event and how to get involved, head to the website here.
