With the annual Terry Fox Run just days away, a booklet has been released to recreate Cochrane's involvement in the Terry Fox Run from 1980-2024.
Compiled by longtime Terry Fox Run advocates Judy Stewart and Grace Atkin, the 30-page book walks the reader through the community's response to Terry Fox's call to continue his Marathon of Hope, and includes several clippings from local newspapers from over the year.
The forward is written by Fred Fox, Terry Fox's older brother, who is currently manager of supporter relations for the Terry Fox Foundation.
"Cochrane took up Terry's challenge of keeping it going and since 1981 the Terry Fox Run has been a part of the community," it reads in part. "Cochrane has been a great example of all small towns in Canada that continue to do their part for cancer research in Terry's name."
In 2015, Fred Fox visited Cochrane schools, and 21 years earlier, Terry's mom Betty was here.
Judy has participated in Terry Fox Runs even before official events were organized.
"After 1980, every school in the Calgary Catholic system held a run on the Friday before the official run," she explains.
The first recorded school run in Cochrane was organized by teachers Roger Mitchell and Alan McLeod at the Elizabeth Barrett School in 1983 and anyone who wanted to join in was welcomed.
Grace's husband was an RCMP officer in Cochrane and he had just died of cancer. Along with her daughter Krysta, they started the community run in 1986 in memory of Grace's husband. It's then that Judy was first recruited to help organize future community runs.
"The fact that we always had a Terry Fox run was tremendously important to me," says Judy. "So, I did everything I could to make sure we always had a run, and I think that's reflected in this little booklet that we've written, and we hope people will enjoy reading it."
Terry Fox dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean near St. John's Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 to begin his Marathon of Hope. As the 21-year-old continued his journey, running an average of 42 km a day, he captured the hearts of our nation.
"My personal relationship with Terry began in 1980 when I sat with my dad every night and watched him from St. John's, NL as he made his way across the country," says Judy. "My dad just couldn't believe this --he called him this lad-- was running with one leg and having cancer at the same time. I always made sure I got home to watch it.
"It was overwhelming when he when he died. He had such a huge impact on all of us across the country."
Judy's dad died of cancer in 1983.
"One of the last things he said to me was to make sure I did everything I could to help people who had cancer. He said, 'You know, you can go and help out in the Terry Fox Run."
She followed her father's wish and also took his advice to quit smoking.
She has many cherished memories from working on the community run working alongside her friend Grace.
"We knew all the runners and walkers. Katie Kelly was my favourite, and she and her mom walked every year having collected a lot of donations. Donna Morris' family was also great and so were the Harveys. As folks passed away, we tried to keep their memories alive through the run. We were like a big family.
"Grace and I would walk the route on Saturday before the run and talk about our lives and families. She, my family, and my sisters (Doreen and Michi) and Myrna Shapter became close friends. We became a team dedicated to Terry Fox and cancer research. Every one of us had lost someone to cancer and it bound us together through thick and thin."
Paul Cox, also a keen Trry Fox Foundation supporter, encouraged them to compile the booklet. Judy is glad he did.
"I asked Grace to help, and she was keen. Grace is elderly now and we spent time remembering all the times we had and all the fun and work we put into the community run. I really did it for Grace. Few people know about her in this town, but she is an amazing person, a wonderful Christian and volunteer."
The annual Terry Fox Run is at Mitford Park this Sunday, Sept. 15. It kicks off with a brief presentation and stretches at 9:45 before people hit the trail around 10 a.m. It's an inclusive event with 2, 5, and 10 km routes people can walk, jog, cycle, stroll, rollerblade, etc.
The Cochrane run is closing in on its goal of raising $20,100. Contributions for Cochrane's campaign can be found here.
Judy's personal fundraising page is https://run.terryfox.ca/55603/page/229957