The Terry Fox Run has been a fall tradition in Canadian schools since Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980, running the equivalent of a marathon each day for 143 days in a row.

Terry’s goal was to run from the Atlantic to the Pacific to raise awareness and funds for cancer research after being diagnosed with bone cancer in 1977. Although the Marathon of Hope ended early when the cancer spread to his lungs, Terry’s legacy has lived on.

This fall, students who are part of the Hockey Canada Skills Academy at Percy Baxter Middle School in Whitecourt, Alta., assisted with the organization of their school’s annual Terry Fox Run.

More than 320 students participated in the school- wide 4.3 kilometre run or walk event held on Oct. 5 . The run was led by HCSA students who also distributed water at stations set up around the course and encouraged their fellow students .

Prior to the event, the HCSA students collected a variety of prizes from local businesses and sold raffle tickets to raise additional funds for the Terry Fox Foundation. Overall, the hard work and dedication of the HCSA students resulted in Percy Baxter raising over $1,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.

"I am very proud of the hard work the Academy students put into organizing the Terry Fox Run this year ,” said Brenda Rawluk, a teacher involved in the HCSA. “We are thankful to the staff and students that took part in the fundraiser and to the parents that were able to help out at the event, as well as for the prize donations. It was a huge community effort. "

The Hockey Canada Skills Academy family congratulates the Percy Baxter Middle School students on their positive contribution to both their school and Canadian cancer research.