Regina gets set for 2 events
Runners will raise money for research
Organizers of Terry Fox Run events in Regina anticipate more support this year compared to last year.
Last year, Olivia Hellman started the Terry’s Cause on Campus at the University of Regina. She is hoping to double the number of donations and double the number of participants when the event takes place Thursday.
She said three years ago the Terry Fox Foundation launched the initiative as a way to get university students more involved with cancer research and raising money for cancer research.
“Often times, the people who are doing that cancer research are university students,” she said. “So this is a way to meld the two together.”
Hellman thought it was a great idea so she set out to make the event a reality in Regina.
“We do our event a little different, so we not only have a run/ walk for people to do and raise money for cancer research, but also have prizes, do a silent auction, have local bands playing throughout the day and performers as a way to build awareness around the event rather than just focus on raising the money. It’s a way to raise awareness about the cancer research that is happening.”
Hellman said the event is student driven and is not affiliated with the U of R, but it’s still supported by the university.
Last year, the event raised more than $3,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation and about 100 people participated. She expects a bigger turnout this year because rather than holding it on a weekend it’s taking place on a weekday.
The event starts Thursday at 8 a.m. and runs until 5 p.m. Although it is taking place at the university, she says it is open to the public.
Bob Terichow, volunteer for the Regina Terry Fox Run committee, is expecting a good turnout for Sunday’s event. The forecast often dictates participation — but not for him.
He has participated in 31 of the past 34 years because he believes it’s a worthwhile cause.
Terichow, a cancer survivor, believes that cancer can be beaten and one way to do that is through research efforts.
Since the run started, Canada and 30 other countries have raised $650,000,000 for cancer research.
Terichow said the cancers that have been receiving research funding from the foundation are childhood leukemia, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and colorectal cancer.
“With all of those, the survivor rate has increased to 88 per cent or better,” he said.
Terichow encourages everyone to come out and support the event on Sunday.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the T.C. Douglas Building located at 23rd Ave and Albert Street. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 9:45 a.m. and the run begins at 10 a.m. There will also be a free barbecue for participants.
More information can be found online at www.terryfox.org. Registration forms are also available at most financial institutions.