It may have been due to the beautiful weather, or a number of factors, but Drayton’s Terry Fox Run organizers were thrilled with the record turnout on Sept. 16, as over 200 participants and volunteers banded together to raise $25,143 for cancer research.
“I’m so inspired by the families and individuals who come out every year and I think it is so cool that they consistently commit to this cause,” said head organizer Louise Ellis. She is also quick to point out that many new participants attended this year, and she is most grateful for their contributions. In fact, participation more than doubled from 2011.
Ellis feels that part of this year’s success may stem from the team approach that was encouraged. Several new teams joined the original group, the Family Fun Team, and include the Footlights/Dynafit Team, Grandpa’s Butterflies, Drayton and Moorefield RBC’ers, the Minto Mapleton Millipedes, and Grandmother and Grandson.
Whether it was a team, family, individual or corporate approach, everyone came together to provide an enthusiastic throng of cancer research supporters who tackled either a two or 10km route under warm, sunny skies.
Out on the route, water stations manned by Andy Kirkconnell and Ron Dickieson provided hydration.
Prior to heading out, participants were entertained with live music by Randy Smart, while carnival games organized by Nancy Stevens and face painting by Maureen TenHoopen were enjoyed by the younger crowd. Kirk Ellis, Trevor Franklin, Terry Downey and Larry Ellis provided barbecued turkey sausages and hotdogs to the hungry masses, while Carly and Kyle Ellis, Theresa Scholten, Kristyn Franklin, Henni Klaassen, Mary Downey and Dale Franklin registered participants and collected the money.
“We’re excited by the increase in participants and donations at the run this year,” said Dale Franklin. “We love counting money for such an important cause.”
One important factor for Drayton’s large per capita revenue at this venue is a small group of dedicated people who regularly collect over $1,000 in pledges each year. This year’s “Over-a-Thousand Club” includes, from highest to lowest, Linda Dickieson, Kelly Hanson, Roelie Katerberg, John Gleeson, Phil Gleeson, Theresa Scholten and Henni Klaassen. Run organizers wish to thank this group for going the extra distance for the cause.
Corporate support
Hanson chooses to support Drayton’s Terry Fox Run despite coming from the Grand Valley area. Every year she tackles a different challenge and has completed marathon bike rides, hikes and solo kayak trips to raise funds for cancer research. This year, despite recovering from a total hip replacement in January, Hanson completed a 72km solo kayak paddle on the Saugeen River and raised almost $2,000 for Drayton’s run.
Also key to the success of Drayton’s run is the generous support it receives from its many corporate sponsors. In fact, Louise Ellis predicts the total revenue will increase over the next few weeks since donations from corporate sponsors continue to come in. She advises that those sponsors will be listed in a thank you ad in an upcoming edition of the Community News.
In addition to corporate sponsors, organizers also wish to express gratitude to the Agricultural Society for the use of the old arena.
Since moving the run from the municipal parking lot to the arena, it has gained momentum and grown to be one of the top runs in Ontario with respect to revenue per capita, as well as per participant.
Back in September 1980, when Terry Fox realized he would be unable to complete his Marathon of Hope and run across Canada on an artificial leg to raise funds to cure cancer, he said, “Even though I’m not running anymore, we still have to try to find a cure for cancer. Other people should go ahead and try to do their own thing now.”
Drayton has most certainly taken up this challenge and has become a champion for the cause. Since becoming an annual event in 1994, Drayton’s Terry Fox Run has raised over $358,000.
Next year’s run will be held on the second Sunday after Labour Day, as per Terry’s wishes. Organizers are hoping for another beautiful sunny day.
