Dedicated locals walked, ran and skated to remember Terry Fox in Pemberton on Sunday, Sept. 15. Every participant had their own reason for being there, their own family members to remember, their own experience with the six-letter-word nobody wants to hear.
Fox lost his leg to osteogenic sarcoma when he was just 18 years old. He gained global recognition for his efforts to bring an end to the suffering the disease causes through a cross-Canada run. His Marathon of Hope began in the spring of 1980, when he dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean. The young man ran 5,370 kilometres over 143 days—a full marathon daily. Sadly, on his journey he learned the cancer had returned and spread to his lungs. Fox was forced to cut his journey short outside Thunder Bay, Ont. on Sept. 1, 1980.
Every year, Canadians follow in the brave man’s steps, showing up "no matter what." One of these dedicated athletes is the Lil’wat Nation’s Bill Ritchie. Ritchie has never missed a Terry Fox run. He vowed to his dad he would partake in the event every year. Twelve years later, Ritchie has held true to his word.
“Twelve years ago, my dad was battling cancer,” he said. “The Terry Fox Run came up and I did a five-kilometre walk. Then I did a 10-km run. After that I told my dad that I had done the Terry Fox run for him. I told him I would do it for him every year. That’s why I have been doing it for the last 12 years.”
Ritchie’s declining health will not stand in the way of his dedication to the event.
“I just did two km this year. I have bad legs. I am not healthy anymore.” he said. “I just make sure I am there every year. I try to be an inspiration every year and raise a few dollars. I had two mini strokes in the last few years. I have been battling diabetes for the last 24 years. It doesn’t slow me down. Everyone tries to slow me down, but I say I have to keep moving and keep on living!”
The inspirational local raises money for the event throughout the year. This year, he said he gathered $130 in pledges over a couple of days. He also asks for donations via Facebook on his birthday, even though it’s in February. “I got a notice in July that I had raised $170 through that from people I don’t even know on Facebook,” said Ritchie.
The Lil’wat man remembers watching Terry Fox’s incredible journey on TV and in the news. “You could even see his name on the grocery bags back in the day,” he laughed.
This year, Ritchie encouraged Lil'wat Nation Councillor Maxine Bruce to join the event. Bruce was on her way to check on the salmon, part of her daily routine.
Pemberton local Natalie Langman organizes the event every year.
“Terry Fox is my inspiration,” she said. “It’s truly incredible to hear everyone’s stories and see the survivors and those currently undergoing chemo come out. Everyone has a story when it comes to cancer, and it’s important to have a day where everyone can come together in our town. I've been running with my daughter Sofia since she was a baby, just four months old, and for many years before she was born. In Sofia's first year, I walked with my mother-in-law, who has battled cancer three times and is still going strong, although she can't walk as far anymore.”
Langman stepped up to host the event after the COVID-19 pandemic. She even ran with her family around town to mark the occasion during lockdown.
“I missed the organization of the event, so I decided to take on the responsibility of organizing it two years ago, and Sofia has helped me out ever since,” she said. “Sofia assists with everything from putting up signage and registration to collecting funds and directing runners.”
Pemberton Valley Supermarket (PVS) donated cookies, apples and oranges for participants. PVS’ Jackie Warnica store also helped with registration this year.
