Canmore resident Michelle Fuller was just 11 years old when she met Terry Fox at her school in P.E.I. one day in May 1980.
It was at the beginning stages of his cross-Canada Marathon of Hope run, which officially began in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12.
His spirit and mission became very personal for Fuller when, 19 years later, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma.
“None of us had really heard of cancer before then and he came to our school to speak to us,” she said. “I was chosen to present him with the money we raised, shake his hand and thank him. I also got his autograph that day. I remember going to the end of our street and watching him as he was running on the island – it was really special.
“But I didn’t really understand the significance of what exactly he was doing or the importance of it until 19 years later when I was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma in my sinus cavity.”
After years of treatment, chemotherapy and a significant surgery to remove the cancer, Fuller said she realized the significance of meeting Terry Fox and that she can also keep the Marathon of Hope going to reach his dream of finding a cure for cancer. In 2012, she found out the cancer metastasized into her lungs and brain and received more treatment – including removing part of her lung and radiation treatment.
As a member of Terry’s Team since 2005, Fuller speaks at schools and runs about her experience with cancer, meeting Terry Fox and keeping his legacy alive through fundraising.
“He really brought the country together,” she said. “Even now I think everybody feels a connection to him because cancer has become so big; we all have a connection to the purpose of finding a cure.”
A recent MRI scan showed possible changes in Fuller’s cancer diagnosis and it was at that point that she decided to direct her energy into a positive activity and organize a fundraising concert in Canmore at the end of August.
Terry Fox Rocks Canmore is planned for Aug. 22 at the Canmore Legion with local band The Critters headlining. Fuller’s husband Henri Ferguson is a member of the band and when she asked them to help out, and asked the Legion as well, both were more than happy to participate for such an important cause.
“I decided to do it because I could,” Fuller said. “Because I am still here and because The Critters stepped up and offered their services and The Legion offered their services and we are able to celebrate life and raise money for cancer research. As Terry said, ‘If I do not finish, I want others to continue without me.’ ”
Some of her classmates from Eliot River Elementary School in Cornwall, who were there when Terry Fox visited, will also travel to Canmore for the event, which is a month before the Sept. 20 Terry Fox Run in town.
Fuller has a team put together for the run, and said the Terry Fox Rocks Canmore event will also help celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope.
“I want to do something positive to bring people together and have fun,” she said, adding 87 cents of every dollar raised for the Terry Fox Foundation goes to cancer research.
In addition to purchasing a $20 ticket to the event, those attending will also have the opportunity to take part in a silent auction with up to 40 items to bid on, including tickets to the Labour Day Classic, a Taylor guitar, golfing and dogsled rides.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the band will play from 8 p.m. until midnight. Fuller said The Critters play dance music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s that will keep people on the dance floor all night long.
“This is a way to celebrate the spirit of Terry Fox and raise money for a great cause,” she said.
Tickets are available at the Legion and those looking for more information or to donate can contact Fuller at [email protected] or text 780-707-9642. Go to www.terryfox.org for more information on the foundation, register for the run in September or donate.
