One Day, Your Way

Joan King was given an opportunity to talk about One Day, Your Way on Cogeco’s YourTV last week at the Joe Pillitteri Comedy Night Fundraiser at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery.

Forty years after Terry Fox set off to run across the country on a marathon to raise money for cancer research, Joan King remains inspired to keep his dream alive.

As the long-time organizer of the annual event in town, King is hoping that even during a pandemic, locals will support the fundraiser and make it a success.

Fox, she says, “turned misfortune into a journey that inspired a whole nation,” setting a positive example for a great cause.

“He inspired people to be the best they could be,” she says.

“It’s not the most amazing thing that he ran a marathon a day for 143 days, or that he inspired over $800 million for cancer research,” she adds. “The most amazing thing is that he tried.”

She’s hoping that this year, we will all try like Terry and participate in the One Day, Your Way run, to be held Sunday, Sept. 20.

“We’re just going to try, like Terry,” she says, “and see what we can do to keep the Marathon of Hope alive and raising more money for cancer research.

King is encouraging a different kind of participation and fundraising, as everyone is able to run, walk or bike on their own time, around their neighbourhood or wherever they choose.

Participants are asked to register at www.TerryFox.org to sponsor a runner or make donations themselves, and also to promote their participation on social media, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This small community has raised $937,436 since the first run in 1991, she says.

“If we could raise $62,564 this year, we will reach the million dollar mark. In the words of Terry Fox, ‘anything is possible if you try.’”

A website for the NOTL One Day, Your Way run will be available next week, and will offer a safe and secure way to raise money.

King says she also plans on being in Simcoe Park Sept. 20, for those who like to fill out pledge sheets and want to hand in their donations.

King still has some Terry Fox T-shirts available. She can be reached at joankemp10@
yahoo.ca or 905-262-5898.

This year King encourages participants to post a picture of themselves or just their running shoes at a NOTL landmark with the hashtags #Foxfootsteps #fortyyearsofhope #TFRNOTL #Ontario #Canada.

“Terry’s shoes symbolized his determination and courage, inspired by his ambition,” says King.

She also encourages people to form a group and sign on for the Saturday, Sept. 19 music trivia night fundraiser, Niagara’s Name That Tune, Live with Lee, at 7 p.m.

“It’s a multiple choice answer, since we can’t be there. Join the event with some friends — it will be fun to do,” says King.

You need Zoom and the Cahoot app. For details on how to play, go to https://www.facebook.com/Niagaras
NameThatTune/.