Over the years, the Terry Fox Run has become more personal for long-time volunteer Kishore Nair.
More and more people he knows have been diagnosed with cancer.
But that’s why he keeps volunteering – to continue to help raise money for research into cancer.
And, in fact, Nair noted, cancer treatments seem to be improving, as told to him by friends who’ve undergone treatment.
The annual Terry Fox Run will be held this Sunday at Garry Point Park.
Nair has volunteered for more than 15 years with the logistics of the run, namely, using his expertise in radio communications.
Nair is responsible for emergency radio communications at the run, and he can be seen on his bicycle during the event.
For any medical issues, radio contact is key.
Furthermore, as many people walk the route, organizers do a sweep of the course and follow the last participant back to the finish line, “thereby ensuring their safety and well-being,” Nair explained.
Volunteering with the annual run started as a way of “giving back to my community,” Nair said.
Over the years, he’s met many people who have been touched by cancer.
Some stories are happy ones with recovery and remission, while others are sadder stories.
One long-time Richmond Terry Fox Run volunteer passed away a few years ago.
He said he’s impressed by their enthusiasm to fundraise for cancer research.
“Cancer research brings hope - there are so many new treatments and medications which can help and find cure benefitting everyone,” Nair said.
The community is invited to participate in the Richmond Terry Fox Run at Garry Point Park. It begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17. Registration, for those who haven’t registered online in advance, starts at 9 a.m.
Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in April 1980. He made it as far as Thunder Bay, but he had to stop as his cancer had come back.
He passed away in June 1981.
Since then, Terry Fox Runs, have been held in hundreds of cities and schools across Canada.
The foundation has raised more than $850 million and has funded 1,300 cancer research projects.
For more information about the Terry Fox Foundation, go to TerryFox.org.
Donation pledges to the Richmond Terry Fox Run can be made at Run.TerryFox.ca/28850.
