Peter Sheremeta, director of the Terry Fox Foundation for Quebec, says that upwards of $1.4 million was raised for the Foundation in Quebec this year. That total is down somewhat from the proceeds of last year’s, Sheremeta says, but is still “a lot more than two years ago.�

Last year’s Terry Fox Run saw more participation than most years, because it marked the 25th anniversary of Terry’s original Marathon of Hope in 1980.

Selwyn House has donated almost $400,000 to the Foundation in the 20 years that Selwyn House Athletic Director Steve Mitchell has been organizing the Terry Fox Run at the school. Out of approximately 400 schools taking part each year in Quebec, Selwyn House is roughly tied for first place in donations raised, Sheremeta says. “Selwyn House is easily in the top 20 schools in Canada,� he adds.

Headmaster Will Mitchell credits the “groundswell of inspiration� from Terry Fox’s original Marathon of Hope as the incentive for the participation we still see today. But each school seems to have one person who champions the cause from year to year, he notes, and “Steve is the champion here.�

“When I was studying at McGill, my mother died of cancer at the age of 47,� Steve Mitchell said. “I was tremendously inspired by her determination, dedication and her ‘If you start, finish it.’ attitude.

“Then, in 1986, I had the opportunity to meet the mother of Terry Fox. I was struck by Mrs. Fox’s commitment to carry on her son’s goal of finding a cure, and I volunteered to help in Greenfield Park. In 1987, we established the Terry Fox Run at Selwyn House School, a run in which we raised $488 the first year by charging each student a dollar,� Steve recalls.

“As the years went by, it was clear that the Terry Fox Run was a very popular and fun event at the school. This is the only event in which all three of our schools (elementary, middle and senior) participate together.�