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Ponoka runs for cancer research

Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way or another and schools in Ponoka are showing that they can help in the goal to change the devastation of cancer.

Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way or another and schools in Ponoka are showing that they can help in the goal to change the devastation of cancer.

In Ponoka, all the schools are participating in the annual Terry Fox Run to help raise money for cancer research and keep Fox’s dream alive.

Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. He was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 18 years old and his right leg was amputated above his knee as a result.

While he was in the hospital he was overwhelmed with the suffering of other cancer patients and was motivated to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research.

Fox began his journey in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 and as he kept running, the public attention increased. He ran 42 kilometers a day and collected more and more money with every step.

Fox successfully ran across the Maritimes, Quebec and into Ontario. On Sept. 1 he was forced to stop his run just outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had made its way to his lungs. He had made it 143 days and 5,373 km into his goal. Fox passed away at the age of 22 on June 28, 1981.

The schools in Ponoka are helping to continue with his goal to raise money and students will be running throughout the month of September.

In the past Terry Fox Runs the schools have been positively supported by the community and have raised a substantial amount of money for the Terry Fox Foundation.

Ponoka Composite High School took part in the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 12. Ponoka Outreach and Ponoka Elementary School will be having their run on Sept. 19 at 1 p.m.

Mecca Glen, Ponoka Christian School, Crestomere School and Diamond Willow Middle School will be running for research on Sept. 26.