Next year’s August civic holiday will take on new meaning and importance as a result of Premier Greg Selinger’s announcement last week that it will be called Terry Fox Day.
“Terry Fox embodied hope, courage, commitment and strength in the face of adversity,” said Selinger. “Naming the civic holiday after him is a way for all Manitobans to honour this great Canadian for the hero he was.”
WinnipegREALTORS® has been honouring outstanding citizens since 1986 through the establishment of the Citizens Hall of Fame program. WinnipegREALTORS® is pleased to see that one of its inductees will receive the recognition he deserves for his extraordinary effort and epic feat.
“As someone who has run a few marathons in my life and knows what it takes to achieve a good result, I still cannot imagine what Terry Fox endured in his trek across the country to raise millions for cancer,” said Rick Preston, chair of WinnipegREALTORS® Citizens Hall of Fame committee. “Without my prompting or from a selection committee member, a public nomination submitted by Norma Currie in 2009 led to a terrific outcome in my humble opinion. Terry Fox was nominated and inducted in WinnipegREALTORS®’ Citizens Hall of Fame in 2010.”
It is fitting that the annual Terry Fox Run is held in Assiniboine Park where the bronze portraiture of Fox is prominently displayed along with the other 39 inductees. No one other than Terry Fox has been recognized in the category of “Hero.”
Another outstanding Canadian and hero for her own unwavering support was Terry’s mother, Betty Fox. She did so much to make her son’s Marathon of Hope one that has carried on ever since and has raised over $600 million for cancer research. Sadly, she passed away in 2011.
The Citizens Hall of Fame had the good fortune of her presence, along with many family members and relatives, at the induction ceremony held in late August 2010.
“During the Marathon of Hope,” said Betty, “Terry never wavered from his conviction that what he was doing would make a difference in someone’s life. Today, Terry’s unselfish sacrifice has made a difference in the lives of so many that have survived their own personal battle with cancer.
“It touches our family deeply knowing that Terry continues to make people believe that each one of us can make a difference. “Terry said, ‘I want to set an example that will never be forgotten.’
“Terry’s example of perseverance, courage and inspiration is as important today as it was in the year after his Marathon (of Hope).”
WinnipegREALTORS® was only too pleased to accommodate Betty Fox’s wish that the statue of her son now displayed at the Citizens Hall of Fame site in Assiniboine Park did not show him grimacing in pain, but is more in keeping with his good-natured self and shows him with a beaming smile on his face.
Don’t forget to support the Terry Fox Run on September 14 at Assiniboine Park.
Real Estate News
Aug 7 2014 Issue
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