Across Canada, communities came to together for the 46th annual Terry Fox fundraising run on Sunday, September 20th (2026).
Once again, in Saugeen Shores, Mother Nature brought her finest for the annual Terry Fox run in Port Elgin that began at North Shore Park and which appeared to be one of the highest attended to date.
The event began with organizer, Geordie Farrell a cancer survivor, welcoming the many participants and longtime Terry Fox Run supporter and cancer survivor Ken Cormack, the 2026 Terry’s Team Member, who shared the story of Terry Fox. “It’s a story that must continue to be told so that Terry’s courage, determination and legacy are never forgotten.”
Teams and individuals fundraised for cancer research reaching $32,000, with more on-line pledges coming in along with local schools who hold individual Terry Fox days to raise funds. Farrell announced that the local Terry Fox run has raised $500,000 to date.
Among the many teams who participated were Bernie’s Boat survivors and paddlers who, the day before, competed in a dragon boat competition in Stratford (ON).
Guest speaker, Dr. David Glass, physician, husband and cancer caregiver, and supporter gave an emotionally moving tribute to is wife, Sue, who died of lung cancer in 2022. “Sue was a notable athlete,” he said. She was an award winning equestrian, a University of Toronto squash champion, an accomplished swimmer, a skier, a wind surfer, a yoga instructor, who never smoked and was forever, an optimist driven by hope. She had a rare sub-type of the disease that has a predilection for young women who are non-smokers.”
He pointed out that treatments have changed and that 13 per
cent of people diagnosed respond to the options available and one to two per cent live a decade. “Sue never gave up and decided to try the options and hope that the Terry Fox Foundation provides. She was grateful for the choices that were not available even five years prior. With immunotherapy, she could again ride her bike and, without it, she would only have lived for weeks instead of the six months she had.” He went on to say that “… Sue had a life well-lived and she died my arms”.
Dr. Glass added that “Terry Fox was a true Canadian hero who, through his Marathon of Hope, left a lasting legacy.”
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At the age of 91, Southampton senior Delores Spielmacher continues to take part in the Terry Fox run as she has for the past 41 years.
Spielmacher began participating following the loss of her daughter Cheryl and fundraises for cancer research by going to door-to-door in her community.
This year, she raised more than $1,500.
This year, everyone who crossed the finish line received an extra perk. Harvey’s restaurants Canada gave each participant a coupon for a free hamburger during the month of October.
