Continuing the Marathon of Hope

Running for cancer research and inspiring an entire country is what began 42 years ago with the Marathon of Hope.

Terry Fox made a heartening attempt at running across Canada in 1980, but his trek was cut short when cancer was found in his lungs.

However, his marathon continues through the efforts of Canadians every September, and Sunday was the first in-person Terry Fox Run in Kelowna since 2019.

“It’s a chance for the community to come together to basically celebrate and continue Terry’s legacy of fundraising for cancer research,” Michael Humer, co-chairman of the run told Kelowna10. “Terry was one individual who decided he was going to take that struggle for cancer research because cancer affects us all.”

Humer is a thoracic surgeon who deals primarily with patients who have esophageal and lung cancer.

“[The run] is personal through the connection of all my cancer patients over the past 30 years of practice,” he said. “I can see in my practice over the years that we’ve made fantastic improvements, but there’s still a long, long way to go.”

He said Kelowna had already reached its fundraising goal before the run began and he was proud to be part of organizing this important event.

“The community is coming together and volunteering, we’re all rising up together and it’s fantastic to be back,” Humer said. “Everyone in their family has a personal connection to cancer.”

Hundreds of people gathered at Stuart Park for the start of the event. T-shirts were for sale, and fresh fruit and snacks were available to keep the energy high.

Runners either completed a 1 km, 5 km, or 10 km loop that went along the beach, under the bridge, and to Strathcona Park near the hospital, then back to Stuart Park.

One group gathered their family from all over Canada to participate in the run for a loved one they lost last year.

“My whole family, spreading from Montreal, Ottawa, and Kelowna, are running and walking in memory of Colin, a beloved uncle and brother-in-law who passed away from metastatic bladder cancer,” Wendy Phillips said.

She explained this was the first big public event they’ve taken part in, and it feels good to raise awareness and fundraising for a good cause and in remembrance of those who lost their battles with cancer.

“It’s heartwarming, it’s absolutely wonderful,” Phillips said. “This is what it’s all about, being together and sharing the pain, the experience of losing loved ones, and also just being motivational for everybody.”

So far, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised $850 million for cancer research and thousands of communities and schools take part in the event every year.