Terry Fox an 'inspiration' for cancer survivor, runner

Hundreds of Manitobans laced up their running shoes for the annual Terry Fox run in Winnipeg's Assiniboine ParkSunday morning.

Anne Macgregorwas one of them, wearing a red shirt to celebrate the fact that she beat cancer twice.

"I'm a childhood cancer survivor.I had two kinds of leukemia and it's so special to me, now, because I bringmy family and we look forward to it every year, and I get to celebrate being here with them," Macgregor said.

She says Terry Fox is a daily inspiration in the work she does.

"I work with people that are returning to the work force after injury, illness or accident and I'm inspired by him every day," Macgregor said.

Kim Walker, who is the organizer of the Winnipeg run,has been taking partfor over 30 years.

"My mom got us involved when my aunt passed many years ago and we've been doing it every year since," she explained.

Over the years, Walker said little things have been different but the message is always the same, as is the intention of the people involved.

"Peoplewant to give back and find a cure for cancer," she said.

The Winnipeg run raised more than$85,000in 2018, which was double the amount fromthe previous year. The 2019 total has yet be tallied.

That includes the group of 50 people from the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association who all came to run.

• 'It was inspiring': Terry Fox's cousin recounts witnessing Marathon of Hope

Fox's cousin, Jeff Neillwas 12 years old when the Marathon of Hope passed through Brampton, Ont, where he lived at the time.

Neill rode his bike alongside his cousin whom he had only met once before.

"His legacy is massive,I mean it shocks me, worldwide actually how his name has continued to inspire people to be out here and raise money to help all of us who have been affected with cancer and have a fighting chance of maybe beating it one day," he said.

Fox died in 1981, one month before his 23rd birthday.

To date over $700 million has been raised in his name for cancer research.