The annual Orillia Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research is not far away. But, for the second year in a row, the second Sunday after Labour Day will be a virtual fund-raising event across the country.
The all-volunteer Orillia Terry Fox Run Organizing Committee is encouraging everyone to register online at www.terryfox.ca/terryfoxrun/Orillia to raise or donate funds for the event.
“There’s no question we miss the hundreds of people who participate or volunteer every year at our traditional community event,” says Orillia run organizer Alison Stoneman. “But I’m confident we can pull together once again to creatively raise money online in order to keep everyone safe.”
There are opportunities to take advantage of new, high-tech solutions as part of this year’s Terry Fox ‘One Day, Your Way’ initiative. There is an Orillia run-specific QR code allowing donors to make a donation and receive a tax receipt by email.
Select business outlets in Orillia are hosting a “Tip Tap” station — where anyone can instantly donate using a chip card to “tap” donations in multiples of $5.00, $10.00 or $20.00. Orillia is one of the select communities in Canada where this technology is being tested.
Organizers have been gathering donations — including gift cards and works of art — for an online auction from several individuals and generous businesses, some of whom have been working hard to recover from pandemic-caused challenges.
Metis-designed 2021 Terry Fox t-shirts are available for purchase while supplies last, with sizes ranging from Youth to XXL. A safe, physically-distant T-shirt pick-up location will be provided to purchasers.
Virtual Terry Fox Run
When: Sunday, September 19
What: A virtual Terry Fox Run: One Day. Your Way. We will unite in spirit; not in person!
Where: Wherever you are! Around your neighbourhood, backyard, down the street or around the block. Walk, Ride, Run or do your own thing!
How: Register as an individual, family or a virtual team – start your fundraising effort!
Why: Because cancer research cannot wait for COVID-19 to be over. Because Terry asked us to try. Because it’s the 41st anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope!
Online participants and volunteers raised more than $42,200 for the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research during the 2020 Orillia Terry Fox virtual run. That surpassed its one-dollar-per-Orillia resident goal for the 12th consecutive year and raising the cumulative total raised to more than $800-thousand.
With our Virtual One Day, Your Way Terry Fox Run this year anything goes. Terry asked us to try. How will you participate?Tell us your ideas! Register to participate & fundraise or make a donation https://t.co/E259cFSwM9#TryLikeTerry #hope #terryfoxrun #cancerresearch #orillia pic.twitter.com/fee8UrLhk1
— Terry Fox Run Orillia (@TerryFoxOrillia) September 2, 2021
Our Terry Fox Run #Orillia is a virtual event again this year, so we are asking you to come up with your own way of participating. Terry asked us to try – what is your TRY? Consider riding your bike? Send us photos for your #TRYLIKETERRY!
Register here: https://t.co/E259cFAVnz pic.twitter.com/o4wuyhf4yJ— Terry Fox Run Orillia (@TerryFoxOrillia) August 19, 2021