Dresden is No. 1 in province for Terry Fox fundraising
There is something about the Terry Fox Run that resonates with the people of Dresden.
The annual event continues to enjoy widespread community support. For the second consecutive year, Dresden has raised the most money of any Terry Fox Run in Ontario when measured on a percapita basis. Alvinston and Lion’s Head are tied for second.
The small community in north Chatham-Kent has had a long and strong connection with the Terry Fox Run.
Last year, the Dresden event raised $32,847.35 with 352 participants and volunteers. Since the first run held in Dresden in 1996, a total of $534,035.23 has been raised for cancer research.
Organizer Cindy Brewer said she thinks the annual event is a success because of local service club involvement and because of a multitude of volunteers.
“They already have a great base of people, and they sort of lead us,” Brewer said.
The fact that the run is volunteer-run and driven is another reason why it’s a success,” Brewer said.
The run honours and celebrates Canadian icon Terry Fox, while raising money for the Terry Fox Foundation.
This year’s Dresden Terry Fox Run is Sunday, Sept. 17. The run starts at the Dresden branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and has an open start from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The event touches a lot of lives because most people have had either a family member or themselves, affected by cancer.
Brewer has lost close family members to cancer. It’s part of the reason why she took on the job as the Dresden Terry Fox Run coordinator. “It was to honour my mom,” Brewer said. “And in the years since then I’ve lost so many people that are close to me. And some people say, ‘I don’t know why you do it, because you keep losing all these people close to you,’ ...well, that’s why I do it, because you can’t give up. Terry didn’t give up, I’m certainly am not going to give up because you have to believe.”
Cancer survivors wear red Terry Team shirts at the Dresden Terry Fox Run. “They are truly an inspiration,” Brewer said.
Pledges can be made at terryfox. org, or with pledge sheets available throughout Dresden. Brewer said participants can arrive the day of the run and make a donation.
Participants can also take part in the run the night before the official date, starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.