On September 6th at 10:30 am the 14th annual Terry Fox Run/Walk for Cancer Research will be held at the American International School of Bucharest. All members of the AISB Community as well as their friends are welcome to attend to help the school raise awareness for the need to find a cure for cancer, and to celebrate the beginning of a new school year.

Terry Fox was from British Columbia, Canada and at 18 years old he was diagnosed with bone cancer. He had to have his right leg amputated six inches above the knee. While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of cancer patients that he decided to run across Canada, more than 8,500km from Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, to raise money for cancer research. He ran a marathon a day (42 km) for 143 days and went 5,373km in total. He died on June 28th, 1981 before he finished going across Canada, but he managed to raise millions of dollars for cancer research. He called his run the Marathon of Hope.

In a brief interview for the Romanian Insider, Mr. Lorne Bird, Principal of AISB High School, talks about his personal and professional involvement with the Terry Fox Run and about the impact that it has made in the community.

1. Why are you involved in this activity? How was it received by the AISB community when it was introduced?

I have been happy to be involved in the Terry Fox Run (TFR) for the past 20 plus years I have been teaching and living overseas as it is an excellent opportunity to help make a difference in my local community in regards to a problem that is truly global – that is, each year I have been involved in the Terry Fox Run, I have never met someone who has not been personally affected by cancer, either themselves, a friend, or a family member. Cancer is something that transcends nationality and we need find a cure.

The TFR was extremely well received at AISB when it was introduced some 14 years ago. Our participation has been strong and we have done extremely well raising funds to help the fight against cancer here in Bucharest, as well as in Romania in general. The support from local businesses has also been overwhelming. Each year we draw upon numerous people with the event, and each year their support is unconditional, generous, and inspiring.

2. What inspired you from the story of Terry Fox?

I was 10 years old, living in Vancouver, when Terry Fox engaged in his Marathon of Hope. I remember being caught up in the magnitude of what he was doing, as most Canadians were at the time. As an adult, however, I began to appreciate the significance of what he did. He was an age of the students I teach – a high school student – when he was diagnosed and lost his leg. At such a young age he had a vision to make a difference and he has profoundly touched the lives of millions of people – not only through raising funds to find a cure for cancer, but more importantly in raising global awareness of the fact that we can make a difference in such issues. Terry Fox obviously was extraordinary in his accomplishments and his legacy; however, he was not super human. The inspiration is seen in the tangible proof that each of us has profound potential to make a difference in improving the lives of others.

Moreover, the physical accomplishment of Terry Fox is awe inspiring. He ran more than 5000 km in training for his Marathon of Hope, and once he began officially, he ran more than a marathon a day for 143 consecutive days … all this on one leg. To run one marathon is rare; to run 143 consecutive marathons on one leg, in great pain each day, as his prosthetic was not highly advanced given this was 34 years ago, is beyond amazing. This is true inspiration.

3. Roughly, how much has the AISB community raised over the years for cancer research in Romania?

Over the past 13 years, AISB has raised close to 150,000 Euros to support the fight against cancer here in Romania. Internationally, over 500 million dollars have been raised to support cancer research, and 34 years later, Terry’s dream still lives on.

4. Are there any special details you would like to share about this year’s event?

This year’s run begins at 10:30am and all associated community members of AISB are welcome to come out and take part in the event. While billed as a run, many people will walk the 5km course that is in the forest across from the school. The one main goal that Terry Fox wanted to achieve was to raise people’s awareness of the need to find a cure for cancer. Raising money is important, but his real mission was to show people the need to help others who were suffering.

5. If there was something that you could wish for this year’s event, that would make it a more successful event, what would it be?

More people – as noted, the goal is to get people out and involved and have them realize that we can find a cure for cancer. The more people who get involved, the greater the difference we will make down the road.

6. Send the international community a final message about the Terry Fox Run

Please come out to support an international movement to help find a cure for cancer. The event begins at 10:30 at AISB and will be followed by the PTO Welcome Back BBQ. It is a great event dedicated to a wonderful cause. Your support is needed.

The Marathon of Hope is a non-competitive event where participants can run or walk. People get together as individuals, families and groups to help raise money in Terry’s name. There are over 50 countries who participate in this run every year. It has become the largest, single-day cancer research fundraiser in the world.

“I’m not a dreamer, and I’m not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to. I just wish people would realize that anything is possible if they try; dreams are made if people try.” Terry Fox

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