To the editor,
I had the honour of meeting Terry Fox in the fall of 1979 when I attended a Cancer Society Conference in Vancouver.
Terry read his letter asking for support and sharing his plans to run across Canada raising money for cancer research. He struck a cord with people and there was not a dry eye in the room.
After his presentation he socialized with the crowd. He shook my hand. I was so impressed by this well-spoken, well-mannered young man.
When I watched Terry start his Marathon of Hope I was so incredibly excited.
I cried with the rest of Canada when the cancer returned and he was forced to stop his run.
After cancer took Terry鈥檚 life, I learned that there would be an annual Terry Fox Run to keep his dream alive. I knew I wanted to be a part of that dream.
亚洲天堂 Lake has been a part of this movement since Sept.13, 1981 raising almost $500,000 dollars for cancer research.
It has been an honour and a privilege to have been a small part of Terry鈥檚 legacy for the past 44 years.
Our beginnings were humble with a few people gathering on east Tchesinkut Lake Road walking or running the 10 kilometer route and raising a few thousand dollars.
In the early 1990鈥檚 we had the idea to move the run to the Francois Lake hall so we could hold a fall harvest silent auction with live entertainment and food concessions. For over 30 years we have held the event here and it has become a successful and heavily supported community event.
Every year, the hall is transformed into a beautiful and bountiful silent auction with generous donations from all corners of our community. There are so many volunteers who have dedicated time and expertise to this fundraising event and I would like to thank them all, without you this event would not happen year after year. For fear of missing people, I won鈥檛 even attempt to mention anyone. . . you know who you are.
It has been an honour to be a part of this committee for 44 years and work alongside these amazing community members who believe in what Terry stood for.
And now it鈥檚 time to pass the torch as Tammy Zayac and I have retired as event organizers of this worthy cause.
This is a call out to anyone that would like to become organizers of this community fundraising event. The committee welcomes new people, fresh ideas and renewed energy.
You are welcome to reach out to me, Carla 250-692-7438 or Tammy 250-692-6195 with any questions. We are happy to mentor you and share our knowledge.
Together, we have made a significant difference in funding cancer research, discovering cures and with this amazing community collaboration will continue to do so.
Carla Carlson
