Neepawa's Terry Fox Run: A Celebration of Hope, Support, and Community

The Terry Fox Run celebrated its 44th year in 2024. Held annually on the third Sunday of September, this event honours Terry Fox, a young man who lost his leg to cancer and embarked on a cross-country run in 1980 to raise funds for cancer research. Despite having his leg amputated, Terry Fox's determination and courage inspired a national movement, and his legacy continues to drive fundraising efforts to this day.

This year's run in Neepawa took place on September 15th at the NACI Track and was once again organized by Dr. Kelly Krzyzaniak alongside some volunteers. The event is participated by cancer survivors, their families, friends and supporters. One of the participants this year is Sammy Uyaivato who is currently undergoing cancer treatment and is thankful for the support of his family and the community.

NACTV was able to interview Sammy and shared his story about how he knew about his cancer condition and the treatment he’s undergoing now. “Recently, I just found out that I have cancer called Osteosarcoma. We figured it out when I broke my arm, the humerus. When I fell off the bike on June 30th and went to emergency at the hospital here and later on found out that I have osteosarcoma so there’s been a lot of time spent in the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg and go to multiple tests like CT Scan, MRI and much more to find out about the Osteosarcoma and pretty recently I just started chemo. There we have been going to the children’s ward there. And I’ve been back and forth in Winnipeg and started going to school here, now that school started.” said  Uyaivato.

Despite the health challenge he’s facing, Sammy is thankful for the support of the community to their family. “The community support has been incredible. When me and my mom are gone, there has been people making supper for my brothers and my dad and there has been so many donations and  fundraisers supporting our family financially. It has been so nice to have some people checking in on   how me and my family are doing. It has been incredible kind of support we have here in Neepawa.” said Uyaviato.

Through Cancer Research, more advanced cancer treatments are provided now to cancer patients like Sammy compared to more than 40 years ago during the time of Terry Fox. The continued tradition of this important community event in Neepawa contributes to the ongoing mission to support cancer research in Terry's name.