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Terry Fox Hometown Run - Sept. 19, 2010
If you've ever given or ever heard a speech, you know that people often include a quote from someone else in their speech. It's usually someone famous -- a great leader, an inspirational historical figure, or a renowned author.
But on this day, I think it's fair to say that if Terry Fox taught us anything it's that everyone of us has the capacity to be someone great -- to say great things -- to have a lasting impact on others.
So it is for that reason -- as I reflect on the 30th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope -- that I would like to include in my speech a quote to you that's not from someone famous -- at least he's not famous yet.
In fact, like Terry Fox, he's someone from right here in Port Coquitlam.
This individual like many of you here today is someone who works in many small ways to make a positive impact in our community.
The author of this quote is Bryan Ness who writes on behalf of the Port Coquitlam Heritage and Cultural Society and is also a volunteer here at the Terry Fox Run.
The quote is as follows:
"Time can be an elusive phenomena. Tomorrow turns into today, today becomes yesterday and soon becomes history and fades from memory into the past.
It’s hard to believe that 30 years have passed since Terry Fox had to end his cross-Canada Marathon of Hope on Sept. 1, 1980 at Thunder Bay, Ont.
Terry had run the equivalent of a marathon a day — 5,373 km. in 143 days — since starting his journey in St. John’s, Nfld. on April 12.
Thirty years later, Terry’s spirit has not faded, it still shines on, reminding us of three words: dedication, inspiration, participation."
On one hand it seems like yesterday, that Terry was just another kid in Port Coquitlam. However, on the other hand, it does seem like 30 years ago.
What has changed in the past 30 years?
- over $ 500m has been raised by the Terry Fox Foundation;
- there are over 900 sites that will be hosting runs across Canada and runs occurring in 40 countries around the world.
- the Terry Fox Foundation has developed into an organization that is focused on flowing through as much money as possible to cancer research - in fact .87 of every dollar you donate today will go to cancer research.
However, these numbers only tell half the story and frankly, the stats are not the most important factor.
What is most important is saving lives and finding a cure for cancer.
What do these numbers mean?
It means that there are more supports available to cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their families;
There are more dedicated screening programs across Canada to detect early stages of cancer which results in improved success rates and outcomes;
Survival rates for many cancers have improved considerably over the last few years, with an overall success rate of 62% over the last 5 years and the survival rates for more acute types of cancer such as liver and leukemia have doubled.
Today, we are being lead by cancer survivors, which is a testament to the fundraising we do today.
As many of you know, my dad, today's MC was diagnosed with Cancer 11 years ago.
Thankfully, due to the progress made in research he was able to overcome the disease.
We have all been affected by this disease.
We have all of our Council members here today along with many members of the fundraising team from the City. So far we have raised over $ 1,000 and expect to exceed $ 1,300 by the end of our campaign.
However, this disease is far from being cured.
We are all here today as part of Terry's team and continuing the journey that Terry started.
I will include a quote form the Our Canadian Hero, Terry Fox
"Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going"
It is now up to us to keep it going, as we have for the past 30 years.
I want to thank each one of you for being here today and for your participation and monetary donations for the past 30 years.
I also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours here in Port Coquitlam and across the world to keep Terry's dream alive.
Of course, I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of the Fox family and the Terry Fox Foundation ‘family’ and Rick Hansen.
We are standing with you and are proud to make up Terry's team.
Have a wonderful and safe run, walk or roll and always remember -- it is your dedication, inspiration, participation that will fulfill Terry's dream and find a cure for cancer.
