The Terry Fox Run continues to inspire Canadians from coast to coast.

The annual fundraiser for cancer research will be held worldwide Sunday, including in Richmond’s Garry Point Park where Mayor Malcolm Brodie will lead the runners at 10 a.m.

Richmond run organizer John Young says the annual event, which has raised more than $400 million since its start in 1981, is popular because of its core roots.

“Terry Fox is an icon in Canada,” Young, a former secondary school teacher said. “He’s a hero and we view him as a true Canadian. He eptimomizes Canada itself.”

Fox lost his leg to cancer when he was 18.

He decided to run across Canada to raise money in the fight against cancer. His Marathon of Hope took him from St. John’s, Nfld. to Thunder Bay, Ont., where his run was tragically cut short after his cancer returned. He died in 1981 at age 22.

Ever since then, the annual Terry Fox Run has been held in his honour.

Young believes the Terry Fox Run continues to attract strong participation because it’s promoted by the schools, and most students are familiar with his story.

“This will live on forever,” Young predicts.

“There are so many different fundraisers (for cancer) but I feel the Terry Fox Run is the one many people relate to. He’s such an inspiration and so many people can envision him running on the highway with h is one leg.”

Fox was a simple, yet complex person, Young said. His main goal was to conquer cancer but at the same time he wanted to keep things simple, he said. It’s not easy to put on a run when 87 per cent of the funds raised go directly to the foundation.

But Young said participating in the run is tremendously rewarding.

“I’ve been organizing this run for five years and have never had any trouble getting volunteers,” he said. “I simply say it’s for Terry Fox and right away people are behind me.”

In the last few weeks Young has also received many phone calls regarding the run—and he’s heard a few emotional personal stories too.

“One elderly gentleman called and said his wife has leukemia,” he said. “He wanted to know more about the Terry Fox Run, but I could also sense he just wanted to chat about how his wife was doing.

“Another lady called and said she’d just ran out of pledge sheets and wanted to know where she could get more. She’d already raised $300 just from friends and neighbours.”

Registration, by donation, for the Terry Fox Run is Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Garry Point Park. Participants will receive a ribbon (which are becoming collectors’ items), a certificate and a sticker.

To date, more than $400 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name.