Kathy Jones, a New Westminster family doctor, was about Terry Fox's age and shared many of his interests when she was in her first year of medical school when Fox began his 1980 Marathon of Hope.
"I followed Terry's story. He was this guy with a huge dream and I think he captured the hearts of a nation. He certainly captured my heart," she said.
Now as tribute to her hero, Jones is in her fourth year of organizing the local Terry Fox Run, scheduled for Queen's Park on Sunday.
There's no entry fee but Jones said she hopes people bring robust pledge forms or generous donations when they register for the run outside the Queen's Park stadium, when registration tables go up at 9 a.m.
After a warm-up led by Dynamic Health and Fitness trainers, participants can head to the Millenium Trail, which gives them options of a 2.5-, five-, 7.5-or 10-kilmotre run.
"They can walk or jog or run or push a stroller or push a wheelchair. It's really about participation. Terry Fox was all about participation," Jones said
Last's year run drew out just short of 300 people in the pouring rain, Jones said, but she is hoping for more people inspired by Fox, as the forecast is for brisk fall weather.
"I'd love to see this run get 500 people. I'd love to see it get 1,000. I just think everyone should be supporting this," she said. "We all probably know someone who has battled cancer or lost their battle with cancer. As a physician, I see lots of it. Cancer research is paramount."
Case in point, osteogenic sarcoma, the cancer Fox died of, now has about a 90 per cent survival rate if caught and treated.
"The cancer that he had, people don't die from that kind of cancer anymore. Research really does help and with the Terry Fox Foundation, 85 cents of every dollar goes to research," Jones said.
Setting this year's run apart from others is the loss of the Terry Fox Foundation's founder, "tremendously respected woman" and "remarkable mom" Betty Fox, who passed away in June.
"This run is dedicated to her. She travelled a lot. She worked long, long hours but she endured it all as a tribute to Terry Fox," Jones said. "I think there will be a great outpouring of support this year in her memory."
The Terry Fox Foundation has raised about $550 million internationally over the last 31 years.
