REGINA, SASK — Behind the T.C. Douglas Building in Regina, hundreds of people gathered Sunday to participate in the annual Terry Fox Run to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
One of those people is Jade Gritzfeld, who has helped organize the event for more than 20 years after battling cancer herself in 2004.
“I had breast cancer, and I noticed a lump myself," she said. "I was so grateful that, a little more than a month later, the surgery was able to remove it because my tumours were growing very, very quickly.”
But Gritzfeld's journey continued for months to come as she underwent chemotherapy.
“I was on a clinical trial, so I was on a dose-dense chemotherapy trial. I was quite sick. Once chemotherapy was done, I had to heal from that before starting radiation, which I finished in September 2005.”
Going through cancer “completely changes your life”, noted Gritzfield.
“I’m a naturally optimistic person, so for me, it was very much about living in the moment. I call them my daily celebrations because when you’re going through the ugliness of chemotherapy, you have to find something to celebrate every day, and I found it.”
After fully recovering, Gritzfeld was motivated to help others battling cancer, just as she had, a commitment she continues to this day.
“It's amazing to see the improvements and advances in cancer research over the past 20 years. But as long as people are still getting cancer, I'm going to continue doing my part in our community to raise funds for cancer research.”
She also spoke about Fox’s commitment to running across Canada to raise funds for cancer research, calling his determination something to admire and draw inspiration from.
“I don’t think we can fathom what it’s like to run a marathon every single day. I was old enough to remember his run across Canada, and I remember crying in my parents’ basement during the marathon telethon that weekend to raise funds. I was just in awe, and that sticks with you. We don’t have a lot of true Canadian heroes, and we want to keep his memory alive because he did that on his own at just 21 years old. That’s just amazing, especially doing it on one leg.”
Joining in the run were members of the Regina Pats, including Amy Kerr, manager of community engagement, events and billeting, who has a personal connection to cancer.
“My grandparents unfortunately passed away from cancer, so it is pretty personal to my family and cancer affects everyone in some ways," she said.
The Pats participate in 60 community events yearly, which Kerr said can connect players with locals and open up conversations.
“It’s about everyone coming together, talking to each other and learning about these things. I think that support is huge for us, and anything we can do to help makes a difference.”
As of Sept. 16, Gritzfeld said the local run had raised $31,000 for cancer research, but she expects that amount to double.
