Thoughts Along the Path . . .

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This week marks the anniversary of my arrival in Ontario: 30 years, wow!

Growing up the US, I had visited several countries including Canada as a tourist. And then in 1986 I volunteered for a project at the world headquarters of the Baha’i Faith in Haifa, Israel. I never could have guessed that I would stay for 8 years, marry John (from New Zealand), and immigrate to Canada where he would attend the University of Guelph as a mature student in water resources engineering while I supported us as a self-employed educational consultant. When he graduated, we moved to Ayr - something else I could not have predicted.

Leaving Haifa spring 1994, we traveled for three months visiting friends and family and/or volunteering short term in Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, and then across the US and Canada. We knew that in addition to some pre-scheduled visits, we had the opportunity to wander and explore before arriving at our destination near Guelph.

Sifting through my many memories of those three months, I remember encountering Terry Fox for the first time. Roaming through Winnipeg (Terry’s birthplace) and seeing his memorial statue and reading the plaque, I was astonished to learn of this heroic young man. And then just a couple of weeks later in Thunder Bay (where Terry had stopped his historic run) I saw the Terry Fox Monument and information centre. Again I thought about his arduous, painful, earnest journey. I didn’t know much yet about Canada’s cultural heroes, but it was obvious that Terry Fox would be on anyone’s list of inspiring and inspired heroes.

During my 30 years in Canada I have joined many of the annual Terry Fox Runs. Though I include running in my regular fitness activities, I usually participate as a walker. I enjoy being with other walkers, thinking my thoughts without regard to pace, and remembering the many friends I have known in treatment or lost to cancer. Way-way-way too many.

Earlier this year I volunteered to help with the Terry Fox Run here in Ayr. As a result, I have been included in emails to other volunteers, and I am amazed by their enthusiasm. No sooner does the call go out for assistance with something than several people reply with an eager “yes.” I have seldom seen such a degree of commitment for a volunteer activity.

Why such a level of commitment? I will offer a guess. The sad, even tragic reason is they have experienced cancer first-hand and/or know others who have. Fortunately significant progress has been made in recent years for prevention, early detection, and treatment. And yet many continue to be afflicted, and not all survive. How do we honour their struggle, whatever may be the outcome? How do we remember them in the presence of others?

One way is to participate in the Terry Fox Run. I have read that Terry knew about plans to establish an annual event, and he wanted it to be organized and supported by volunteers, people with their own connection and own motivation. The numbers tell the story, too. As I recently learned, the Terry Fox Run is now the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research.

This year I have formed a team in memory of a friend here in Ayr who recently passed after several years of cancer. Not everyone who participates in this event is part of a team, but I am thinking that together we can raise funds and share memories of our friend as we walk.

What about you? Would you consider joining the walk/run this year on Sunday 15 September? There is no minimum donation, nor is there a requirement to cover any specific distance in any set time. The program at 9am outside of the Curling Club is always inspiring and is the starting point for the run/walk itself.

For more information including how to form or join a team, how to register on your own, how to donate, or other details please visit the website https://run.terryfox.ca/55807 or check other social media.

I hope to see some of you there.

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Submitted to Ayr News by Jaellayna Palmer, August 2024