About 76 participants joined the Terry Fox Run fundraiser in Prince Albert Sunday afternoon, Sept. 15. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

By Teena Monteleone

#NoMatterWhat

44th annual Terry Fox run raises nearly $34,000

Sep 15, 2024 | 3:46 PM

Dennis Ogrodnick has been a supporter of the Terry Fox Run fundraiser for cancer research in the past, but this year he participated from a different perspective – as the honourary chair of the event.

“Yeah, it’s something you really don’t want because it means you have cancer. So, that’s you know…you really don’t want it…but at the same time, it gives you the opportunity to raise awareness.”

Ogrodnick, whose name is recognizable as a member of Prince Albert city council, was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer. He doesn’t know how long he has left, but he does know he is still here because of the Terry Fox Foundation cancer research that has been conducted.

“If it wasn’t for the money raised, I would have been dead. The kidney cancer research has really come a long way in the last ten years is what my oncologist said to me, and as a result – with the treatment, they’ve had a lot of success. So, I’m hoping to be one of those success stories,” Ogrodnick said.

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According to the Terry Fox Foundation website, average survival rates for all cancers combined have increased from 25 per cent in the 1940s to over 60 per cent today – and up to 90 per cent in some cases.

Chris Ferchuk (in blue) and Vern Hodgins (in red) have helped organize 44 years worth of Terry Fox Run fundraisers in Prince Albert. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

The Terry Fox Run fundraiser in Prince Albert started 44 years ago thanks to organizers like Vern Hodgins who has participated since the event’s inception. Another Prince Albert committee member, Chris Ferchuk, started volunteering for the event when he was just 12 years old. He too has been a part of the run ever since. Each year, however, there are new faces of those who have been touched by cancer who want to support Terry’s legacy.

Kelly and Shane Basaraba, along with their kids, walked in memory of Shane’s grandma who passed away three years ago to cancer. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

Kelly and Shane Basaraba along with their three children joined the walk to commemorate Shane’s grandma who passed away from cancer three years ago. Kelly said it was important for her children to know who Terry Fox is and how he tried his best to fight for what he believed in. That message has not been lost on 9-year old Otis Basaraba.

“I just know he helped the country a lot. He ran across the country and just never gave up,” Otis said.

During the opening ceremonies, Hodgins recognized the Dutchak family who recently made a significant contribution in memory of their family member Brenda who recently passed away. An unofficial total for the event showed that more than $33,720 had been raised.

“Well that just shows you how solid and deep our volunteer basis is. For 44 years, our community has turned out to the event and that’s why I’m very proud to be a part of this city,” said Mayor Greg Dionne, who is also a cancer survivor.

Dennis Ogrodnick, who is fighting kidney cancer, said he will always have hope like Terry Fox did – no matter what. (Teena Monteleone/paNOW)

When it was time for the event to start on Sunday afternoon at the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse, Ogrodnick joined about 75 other participants and said while he walked he was going to think about how thankful he was for his oncologist and urologist and all of the nurses at the Victoria Hospital.

“Every day, I’m thankful for all the work they do and their commitment and compassion. Like, just so compassionate. It’s wonderful,” he said.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com