Prince Albert's Vern Hodgins has been a part of Terry Fox Runs since the very beginning. (Vern Hodgins/Facebook)

By Teena Monteleone

Cancer research fundraiser

Terry Fox Run organizer prepares for his 44th fundraiser: ‘I’ve been in every one.’

Aug 31, 2024 | 1:00 PM

For most, the Terry Fox Run is just an annual fundraiser for cancer research. But for Prince Albert’s Vern Hodgins, it’s a much more meaningful event – one that he hasn’t missed since the very first run in 1981.

“I taught Terry Fox’s message of perseverance and endurance and courage and hope, and never giving up to my kids at school when I was teaching,” said Hodgins. “And I’m a cancer survivor myself, and I, like everybody else, know lots of people who’ve had cancer and Terry Fox is Canada’s greatest hero in my opinion.

This will be my 44^th Terry Fox Run. I’ve been in every one.”

Participants in the 2023 Terry Fox Run in Prince Albert. (Terry Fox Run Prince Albert/Facebook)

The Terry Fox Run invites participants to start collecting pledges and donations in advance of the 2KM, 5KM or 10KM walk/run event that takes place on Sunday, Sept. 15. at the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse. Hodgins said their goal is to raise $15,000.

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“What sets the Terry Fox Foundation apart is Terry’s ideals and values in everything the foundation does – such as having low overhead and administrative costs allowing more funds to be directed to cancer research, its 100 per cent volunteer driven and there are no corporate sponsors.”

When Hodgins participated in the first run back in 1981, he recalled there being 650 people or so. Over the years, the number of participants has dwindled; last year there were less than 100 who took part. Still, Hodgins said the event is always successful in the amount of money raised.

“And the message of what Terry Fox stood for is going strong all these years later,” he said.

A member of the Terry Fox Foundation presents the Prince Albert Police Service their trophy after winning the Terry Fox relay race last year. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

Hodgins is particularly proud of the fact that Prince Albert hosts a second fundraiser – a relay that actually takes place a week before the run. On Sept. 7 at 1:30 p.m., teams, usually made up of paramedics, police officers and firefighters, will meet at the PACI track.

“This is something very specific we do in Prince Albert. I think we’re probably the only city in all of Canada that has a Terry Fox Relay race.”

Anyone interested in participating in either event, or fundraising for the effort is encouraged to call Hodgins at 306-980-7014 or visit www.terryfoxrun.ca. Red t-shirts are offered to cancer survivors or patients who participate. Registration on Sept. 15 will take place between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. This year’s Honourary Chair is Dennis Ogrodnick.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com