Run returns to Memorial Park following a two-year absence Sept. 18
Cancer survivor Sonja de Roo has been named the Ambassador of the 2022 Stouffville Terry Fox Run.
“Sonja and her family represent what the run means to the community of Stouffville,” said local run co-ordinator Stacey FitzPatrick. “They are the reason Terry did what he did in 1980 and why so many others are carrying on his work across this country and around the world.”
The run is returning to Stouffville Memorial Park following a two-year COVID break Sunday, Sept. 18.
Registration begins at 12 noon with music by popular Stouffville teen band The Muffin Men. The Markham Stouffville Cruisers car club will be in attendance. Code Ninjas is hosting a children’s activity tent.
Opening ceremonies are at 1 p.m.
Sonja was diagnosed with cancer on “December 8, 2007, at 2:45 p.m…”
“Ask anyone who’s heard the words ‘you have cancer’ and they will be able to tell you the EXACT moment they heard those words,” she wrote in an essay for the Stouffville run in 2021. “Why? Because it’s life-changing! And not ALL in a bad way either. I received many gifts throughout my journey, many of which I still hold dearly some (14) years later. The strength that family brings a person, the kindness of others in your community that help make you feel not so alone, the healing effects of a good belly laugh and the most important life lesson, how much attitude matters!”
In 2008, months after her father was diagnosed with colon and kidney cancer, the de Roo family went to work.
“That next spring, we started talking about the upcoming Terry Fox Run and what our family could do to give back to a community that had supported us,” she wrote. “We talked about Terry’s massive impact on cancer research and how, because of his legacy… my journey had a more hopeful outlook.”
The family operated a water station in front of their home for several years – before the run route was changed, bypassing their street.
“It was only a few years prior that my type of cancer would have had very different outcomes than my story does today,” Sonja wrote. “That is in part due to a new immunology drug called Herceptin. It was a game-changer for HER2 positive cancers like mine and it’s because of the money raised every year with the Terry Fox Run that I am around to tell my story! So, thank-you!”
The Stouffville run has raised more than $2 million since 1982.
Look for live music at the refreshment stops along the scenic 5K route.
Register at: terryfox.org
More details: terryfox-stouffville.ca
Pizza & Pasta!
Boston Pizza in Stouffville is hosting its annual Terry Fox Day on Wednesday, Sept. 14. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to cancer research in Terry’s name. Meet the Stouffville run committee during the dinner hour. Learn more about this year’s event.
Get your Terry T’s
You’ve seen them worn by Margaret Atwood, Sidney Crosby, Catherine O’Hara, Ryan Reyonlds, Alessia Cara and Rachel McAdams.
The popular 2022 Terry Fox Run T-shirts (short-sleeved) have arrived in Stouffville!
Short-sleeved.
Youth medium: $20. Adult small, medium, large, XL and XXL: $25. Cash or e-transfer preferred.
Get them while they last. Phone or text 416 451 2970 or e-mail sally_sandiford@hotmail.com
Designed by Canadian artist Douglas Coupland in collaboration with the Fox Family, the shirt features a dot-screened portrait of Terry and the words ‘I’m Not a Quitter’ printed on the back. All proceeds support cancer research in Canada.
That’s the Spirit!
The Terry Fox Run will receive all proceeds from 50/50 draws during Stouffville Spirit Jr. A hockey home games in September.
Games are played at the Stouffville Arena: Sept. 10 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m.
For more information:
Jim Mason at jimmason905@gmail.com
Stouffville Terry Fox Run 2022 