Continuing Terry Fox's Legacy at the Vancouver Campus Terry Fox Event

Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980, with the simple goal of raising awareness about the importance of finding a cure for cancer, a cause of personal significance, as he was battling with the disease himself. Although Terry's marathon was interrupted when his cancer returned, the spirit of his journey continues to this day. The Marathon of Hope has become a cherished Canadian tradition, with communities across the country coming together for this important cause.

On September 22, SFU Vancouver proudly hosted its annual Terry Fox event, joining Canadians nationwide in continuing Terry’s legacy. To kick off the event, Dr. Laurie Anderson, Executive Director of SFU's Vancouver campus, welcomed everyone and shared his own personal connection to Terry Fox. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Laurie worked at an elementary school in the Port Coquitlam area where Terry ran. They also frequented the same gym and were students together at SFU.

After going over some event details and taking a group photo in the Teck Gallery with our Terry Fox banner, the group was ready to depart! Our event provides participants with the option of either a 2.5km walk or a 5km run through the downtown Vancouver area, allowing everyone to make a meaningful contribution in their preferred way. One standout feature of our walk/run is our planned route, which takes us to the Terry Fox Statues at BC Place. This location not only adds significance to our event but also serves as the perfect backdrop for capturing memorable group photos.

After completing the run/walk, folks were welcomed to return to the Teck Gallery to enjoy snacks and participate in our Terry Fox t-shirt prize draw. This year's limited edition t-shirts carry messages that Terry and his family received, both in the past and present.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2023 Terry Fox Run/Walk and helped us celebrate and honour Terry Fox and his far-reaching legacy. Everyone’s participation, energy, and dedication made the event truly special!