September 15, 2025

CANCER SURVIVORS AMONG TERRY FOX RUNNERS, WALKERS IN GRAVENHURST SUNDAY

GRAVENHURST — The Marathon of Hope lives on and on and ….

“Inspired” by the Canadian legend on every $5 bill.

Terry Fox, who ran in the back door of the Gravenhurst Centennial Centre 45 years ago to a huge welcome for his final 22nd birthday July 29, 1981, was the inspiration for everyone yesterday morning who took to the streets to honour his memory and goal and continue to ‘Finish it.’

And raise about $10,000 to continue his cancer research dream.

After a couple of years off when the run was virtual in Gravenhurst, new organizers attracted more than 60 walkers, runners, cyclists and supporters who lined up at 9 a.m. outside the Terry Fox Auditorium.

Susan Appleton, centre, was joined by, top left, grand-daughter Jesse Jonkman, husband David, grand-daughter Amelia Bloye and Susan’s daughter Amanda Bloye. And in front by grandson Hank Pattenden, 9, his sister Mikayla, 6, and their dog Dobby. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

Not surprisingly, several were cancer survivors who proved that for many cancer can be beaten.

Like Susan Appleton, 75, who has lived in the Pine Ridge housing neighbourhood the past eight years.

She had her husband David, daughter Amanda Bloye, granddaughters Jesse Jonkman and Amelia Bloye and great-grandkids Hank Pattenden, 9, and his sister Mikayla, 6. And their dog Dobby.

She had three cancers 13 years ago including in her kidneys, colon and liver — parts of the latter two she lost — at West Lake hospital in Newmarket where she formerly lived and at Sunnybrook in Toronto and RVH in Barrie.

That’s why the annual walk “means a lot to me.

“When we came over from England at the end of 1981 my son was 14. Terry was only a few years older than him. So we’ve always, always supported the cause.

“It’s so important to us.”

**Joni Blanchard, 69, and husband Rick Brownridge, 75, high-five each other after finishing the 6.2 and 3.5 km sections of Sunday’s Marathon of Hope in Gravenhurst.**

Another cancer survivor was Rick Brownridge, 75, a Muldrew Lake cottager, who walked 3.5 kms while his wife Joni Blanchard ran the 6.2 km route.

They’ve done it 12-13 years in Gravenhurst and 5-6 more before in Toronto.

He had prostate cancer 14 years ago: “So I guess I’m OK.”

“He is OK! You’re OK!,” his wife gleefully added.

However, he’s also had open heart surgery and a hip replacement.

“He’s had a little of everything. But it’s done now. When he gets older it won’t matter, he’s done it,” she added.

On Labour Day she joined 100 people — including Fox family members — in Thunder Bay for a 22.5 km run/hike. They started at the memorial to him where a statue overlooks the ‘Sleeping Giant.’

“It really looks like Terry with all his facial expressions,” she said after jogging to the finish line and being welcomed with applause from the half dozen volunteer organizers.

Terry’s youngest sister Judith and his oldest brother Fred were there.

“The best part of it was the sunrise ceremony,” where Judith struggled with emotion.

**Brownridge admires a moving painting Terry Fox did of the ‘Sleeping Giant’ in Thunder Bay, which she bought during a Labour Day run/hike there two weeks ago.**

Blanchard, who also had a brush with a cancerous lump on her breast that was caught in time, is all good now and is a regular long-distance and triathlon runner, swimmer and cyclist.

She said the uphill hike was “really beautiful,” with painted stones along the way and at the finish line

A poignant part was the inclusion of the original art work that Terry had painted of the Sleeping Giant when he was 14.

“He had read about the Sleeping Giant. That’s why he was so big on it,” said Blanchard.

He ended his cross-Canada run just past where he is memorialized after running from Newfoundland.

“I run a lot and just like all Canadian runner, he’s our hero.”

She said the first 5 kms weren’t too hard just up and own hills. But the next 7.5 kms — “deemed as difficult — was difficult.”

She and a girlfriend who flew up had time at the top end of the loop for a bite with the group at the halfway point. Then had to climb down. However, it was harder.

“It was pristine, but treacherous.”

Brownridge said they and their kids have always participated since 1981 when his own parents saw the wonder kid hobble into the Gravenhurst arena.

“We always had great respect for what he did.”

He’s also proud of his wife’s 1,000-foot ascent.

**Betty Wilson-McKay, 57, gets ready to ‘Finish It ….’ after running her first marathon in 2012 two years after having breast cancer.**

And another cancer survivor finishing the run was a bubbly Betty Wilson-McKay, of Toronto, who’s own marathons she said were inspired by Terry.

“My first marathon was two years after I had breast cancer in 2010. And I was thinking of him and his Marathon of Hope.”

The fit 57-year-old says she’s OK now.

“Oh yeah! Thanks to all the fundraising they’ve done.”

Rick Larocque still remembers working at the arena when Terry hob, skipped and jumped his way in through the big south end doors of the rink to huge applause. He reminded his grandsons C.J. Bond, Emery Foley and their Hudson Smith of the story as they were leaving a morning hockey practice.