For many of us, we can remember seeing Terry Fox marching with a smile, followed by his entourage on our televisions.
The Canadian weather did not deter his efforts to bring awareness to and raise funds for the fight against cancer. At the young age of almost 19 years old, doctors discovered a malignant tumour in Terry鈥檚 right leg. We remember the courage and inspiration this young man shared with us all.
Although Terry鈥檚 run was almost 40 years ago, and he journeyed over 5,373 kilometres from St. John鈥檚, N.L., to Thunder Bay, Ont., such a feat will always be remembered through the Canadians who carry on this legacy. Canadians, like the young ones attending Carlyle Elementary School, take part in walking and raising funds for cancer research through their schools and communities.
For two days, staff and students from Carlyle Elementary School gave of their time on Sept. 24 and 25 to commemorate the life of Terry Fox.
The RCMP escort vehicles sat stoically in front of the school鈥檚 main lawn. One had a constable inside with the lights going and the other vehicle was empty, as the second constable was going to walk behind some of the students, and he waited patiently at the fence.
Just after 9 a.m., groups of students came single file out of two of the school doors. They all lined up inside their assigned areas and some did jumping jacks to keep warm. You could see the students and teachers were happy to be outside in the cool sun. One teacher engaged with her students about the need to physical distance by saying, 鈥淚 read about how we can have fun and keep our distance. We can pretend to be zombies.鈥澛�
It was cute to watch her demonstrate, and the children follow suit. These are crazy times we are in, but some will make the best of them. Once all the first day鈥檚 students were assembled the teachers began to lead them down the sidewalk.
Then came the call.
鈥淐ome on let鈥檚 go! We鈥檙e walking for Terry. You know my grandma had cancer?鈥�
鈥淵eah, well my auntie has cancer right now. She got chemo so we can鈥檛 go see her.鈥�
Two younger children talking loud enough for me to hear while they caught up with their classmates ahead of them told me the truth. They knew. They all knew.
How many lives has this terrible disease has affected, right here in this school, with these families and these teachers.
Teachers took time out of the day, the teaching requirements, the sanitizing and lining up, the reports, the comforting, and so on to tell these young people about one man鈥檚 fight against cancer and what he did for others.
The kids walked to the Moose Mountain Lodge even though they would not be able to go in. Once at the lodge, waiting for the students to round the corner, there were elderly faces looking out the windows.
So simple, so profound, they just wanted to bring joy, and did they ever succeed. Take a moment to envision those wrinkled smiles and waves.聽聽
One of the teacher slowed down to explain that they were waiving through the glass because it was not safe for those grandpas and grandmas to come out.
Terry Fox is quoted as saying, 鈥淚t鈥檚 got to keep going without me.鈥�
Rest easy Terry, it certainly has here at Carlyle Elementary School.
For more information on how you can support cancer research and learn more, please go to www.terryfox.org.
