FINISH IT: Honouring Terry Fox, 45 Years Later

There are moments in life that shape who we are. For me, one of those moments happened on a hot summer day in 1980, a day that started with frustration and ended with a lesson that has fueled my life’s purpose.

I was ten years old, vacationing with my family on Manitoulin Island. My favorite thing in the world was fishing with my father, but on that particular day, he took my sister instead. I was furious. Determined to escape my anger, I grabbed a bicycle, one far too big for me and pedaled away without thinking twice.

That’s when my world changed.

I met headfirst with a car.

I lifted my head just in time to see it speed away, leaving me broken on the road. My leg was barely hanging on, my head was bleeding, and I quickly realized no one was coming to help. So, I did the only thing I could, I dragged myself back to my aunt’s cottage.

Several stitches later, my father laid me in the backseat of our family station wagon, and we began the long drive home. But then, something happened that I will never forget.

My father suddenly pulled over as a convoy of police cars approached. He stepped out, speaking to someone I couldn’t yet see.

And then, there he was.

A young man with curly red hair, wearing a tattered Marathon of Hope T-shirt and a look of concern in his eyes. Terry Fox.

Even in my injured state, I knew exactly who he was. I had heard about his incredible run, how he was crossing the country on one good leg and one prosthetic, all to raise money for cancer research. As he looked at me, his expression seemed to say, “What happened to you?” But it wasn’t pity. It was understanding.

My father asked if we could run together, just 20 steps for a $20 donation. And Terry, despite all he had already endured that day, agreed without hesitation.

Those 20 steps changed me forever.

At ten years old, I was focused on my own small world. But in that moment, I saw something greater. I saw resilience, determination, and a selflessness I had never fully understood before. Terry Fox didn’t have to run with me. He could have said no. But he didn’t. And that simple act has inspired me for the rest of my life.

Now, 45 years later, the legacy of Terry Fox lives on. His dream, to find a cure for cancer still drives millions of people across Canada and around the world to run, to fundraise, and to believe that one person truly can make a difference.

As we take part in the Terry Fox Foundation’s Finish It campaign this year, we aren’t just remembering the past. We are carrying forward Terry’s vision. We are continuing the steps he started. We are committing to finishing what he began.

I am incredibly honoured to be part of my hometown’s committee, the Newmarket Terry Fox Run. This amazing group, led by Laurie Osborne, works tirelessly to keep Terry’s vision alive. Our team, Robin’s Sidekicks, is a testament to the incredible impact of Robin Williamson, who left an unforgettable mark on the local Terry Fox community.

Robin first got involved in the Newmarket Terry Fox Run by helping her cousin Laurie Osborne with odd jobs, but her dedication quickly grew. In 2008, she helped launch the “Just a Buck” campaign, encouraging every resident to donate $1 to support the 28th annual Newmarket Terry Fox Marathon of Hope. As a teacher at Newmarket’s Terry Fox Public School, she also initiated an annual run at the school, inspiring countless students.

She always went the extra mile, giving her all to the cause. Cancer hit close to home when her mother, Betty, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Just months later, Robin herself was diagnosed with a rare and complex form of cancer. A fierce warrior, she fought bravely but lost her battle in 2015.

Robin’s legacy lives on in our hearts.  I am Robin's SideKick!  

According to the Terry Fox Foundation, the Newmarket Terry Fox Run, since its humble beginnings in 1994, has raised $1,592,531.77.

For me, Terry Fox was more than a hero. He was a moment in time that shaped my entire perspective. And every year, when I lace up my shoes and run for Terry, I think back to those 20 steps and the lesson they taught me

We all have a part to play. And when we choose to take action, even in the smallest way, we keep hope alive.

So let’s finish it. For Terry. For Robin. For those we’ve lost. And for the future we can still change.

Join me for the 45th Terry Fox Run at The Ray Twinney Complex on Sunday, September 14th, 2025. Together, we can make a difference and “Finish It” for Terry!