Terry Fox runs go Sunday

Area residents will join others across the country Sunday, Sept. 17 to raise money for cancer research by taking part in the 26th annual Terry Fox Run. Runs will be held in both Acton and Georgetown. The Acton run will be at the Acton High School track from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Georgetown run will be at Georgetown South Community Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Since its inception in 1981, Acton run organizer Jon Hurst said that event has raised more than $541,000 for cancer research. "Acton always comes through," said Hurst. "It's a giving community that supports all kinds of... events." Last year more than $29,000 was raised through the Acton run. The turnout was higher than normal its believed because it was the 25th anniversary of Fox's run and there was ample advance publicity. "I know we had quite a few new people out last year," said Hurst. The track doesn't allow for rollerblading, but participants can run, walk, cycle and wheel (wheelchair) around the course. Hurst has been involved with the Acton run for 25 years and still clearly remembers standing on the highway near Barrie in the dark early one morning in 1980 waiting for Terry Fox to run by during his Marathon of Hope. "I'm still in awe of him," said Hurst. Hurst, whose wife Maxine died of cancer in 2000, said there has been progress made in beating the disease, and today there are "a whole lot of diagnoses that are positive." Tamara Diardichuk-Crawford, organizer of the Georgetown Terry Fox Run, said last year's run in Georgetown brought in approximately $32,000-- the most the local event has ever raised-- and credits the 25th anniversary of the run as the reason. "We'd like to get to $20,000 again this year," she said. She's expecting 400-500 participants and said those who come out can roller blade, walk, run, cycle or go around the path in a wheelchair. She added there will be raffle prizes again this year. Diardichuk-Crawford, who battled cervical cancer, which she was diagnosed with in 2000, has been clear from the disease for four years now. Earlier this year she and her husband experienced what they are calling a miracle with the birth of their twins Mira (short for Miracle) and Teran. As a result of the cancer and extensive treatment Diardichuk-Crawford went through, her chance of having children was only 15 per cent, but they decided they would try one course of invitro-fertilization anyway. The night before the procedure she said she woke up and just knew it was going to work. Nine days later it was confirmed that she was pregnant with twins. She gave birth to the healthy babies in March. Volunteers are still needed to help with the Georgetown run and anyone needing more informationor or wanting to volunteer should call DiardichukCrawford at 905-873-1143. Pledge sheets are available at various locations in Georgetown and Acton including banks, LCBO, Boston Pizza, schools and variety stores. For more information on the Acton run contact Hurst at 519-853-2015.