Running for a good cause

When Terry Fox was diagnosed with cancer in 1977, he was an 18-year-old university student. When he died four years later during his cross-Canada Marathon of Hope, he was a national hero.

Every September since 1981, the Terry Fox Run attracts tens of thousands of elementary and high school students across Canada who walk, jog and run in support of cancer research. Terry’s Cause is a slightly different event: started last year by the Terry Fox Foundation, it focuses strictly on university campuses.

“The Terry Fox Foundation wanted to really drive this message home to this age group,” says Derrick Enslow, Dal’s health promotion program manager. “That it can easily happen and we should be aware of it.”

As a kickoff event for Live Well @ Dal Week, on Sunday, September 29, Dal students met up on the Studley Quad for the second Terry’s Cause at Dal. Among the participants were members of the Tigers varsity women’s basketball team, who came out for the second time in support of their former coach, Carolyn Savoy, who was diagnosed with cancer.

“It’s important to give yourself a break,” said first-year Science student Alex Hare. “It’s a great cause, and if you’re going to exercise you might as well support a cause while you’re doing it.”

First-year Environmental Science student Laura Riss agrees. “Exercise is a great way to get away from studying. And it gives you the endorphins and motivation to get back to work.”

A warm-up was led by fitness instructor Cia Tweel, who runs her own fitness studio as well as various Dalplex classes, including Latin-inspired Salsafit.

“Warming up gets the body loose and ready for activity, and reduces the frequency of injury,” she says. “These warm-ups are more of a cheer to get the spirits excited.”

After the high-energy warm-up, participants took off, following a route around campus from Seymour Street to Coburg Roard, along Oxford and South Streets, flanked by yellow and white Terry’s Cause signs. Runners completed the loop twice, and were invited to a yoga cool-down at the end also led by Cia.

“I think it’s something that Terry would have really appreciated,” says Enslow. “That we were focusing on his age group.”

Live Well @ Dal Week wraps up Friday, October 4 with Low-Risk Drinking–Beer Goggles 101 outside the Killam Library, and random acts of fitness around campus.