The Paris Independent
4
August 6, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS Paris Terry Fox run returns this September By Casandra Turnbull Terry Fox once said, “I want to set an example that will never be forgotten.” Even though cancer prevented him from completing his run, he ultimately accomplished what he set out to do. Over 40 years after his famous trek across most of Canada, Canadians still honour his memory and desire to raise awareness for cancer research by participating in the annual Terry Fox Run. Terry has become a Canadian folklore of sorts, and his drive
and determination are still felt here in Paris, Ontario, some 42 years after he ran through this town during his Marathon of Hope. “Terry was not a quitter, he didn’t give up, he just ran out of time. All of us are the time that Terry didn’t have,” says Kiley Cruickshank, one of the lead organizers of the Paris Terry Fox Run, which takes place on September 18. She, along with her sister-in-law Melanie Chmelik, were handed the ‘coordinator torch’ from Mary Crozier nine years ago. Mary was
the face behind the Paris Terry Fox run for many, many years. She delivered the reigns to Cruickshank and Chmelik who share her vision and tenacity for keeping Terry’s memory alive locally. It takes a team to organize an event of this magnitude and Cruikshank acknowledges there are many members of the community who have participated and volunteered for decades, paving the way for the success of the event year after year. Continued on page 5
The Paris Terry Fox Run takes place on September 18 at 11 am at Paris District High School. If you want to get involved, donate or volunteer, reach out to organizers by email at paristfr@outlook.com. Photo provided by Kiley Cruikshank
