Dear Terry...

The 43rd Anniversary of the Terry Fox Run is less than 10 days away. The response on campus has been positive and our students are taking the lead helping with preparations on campus and signing up for special events like the Terry Fox Superstore bagging event happening from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Saturday at the Windsor location. If you are in the area, please drop by. Student groups are also organizing campus fundraising events like Vair Mac’s Terry Fox canteen that was set up at our first school dance last night. The leadership of our students is recognized and appreciated.

I was equally impressed by the students who have shown initiative by registering and beginning personal fundraising on our Windsor Terry Fox Run page. Led by the MacLean and MacDougall families, and including individual students from Grades 6 to 12, the commitment has been very encouraging with over $12,000 already recorded. This kind of KES community support is amazing.  

Next Wednesday, September 12, we will show our collective Highlander spirit by dressing down in our Terry Fox t-shirts. Our plan is to have a drone photograph of our community forming the word “hope” following our assembly. I extend a thank you to all those who have already purchased a 2023 t-shirt. All proceeds will go directly to cancer research.

This year’s theme is “Dear Terry…”, inspiring each of us to think about the message we would like to send Terry Fox forty-three years after he began his Marathon of Hope. My message would be to thank Terry Fox for inspiring us with a spirit of determination and hope, which not only has resulted in life-changing cancer treatments, but also has provided the motivation to make a positive difference and to persevere in times of challenge.

All students and staff will take part in the Windsor Terry Fox Run on Sunday, September 17, and I extend a personal invitation to all family members, friends, and alumni to join the fun. Bring your favorite pets as well! It will be exciting to gather as an extended KES community and walk, run, or cycle the five-kilometre route through Windsor together. Don’t forget the quad barbecue with live student entertainment that will follow. Registration begins at 10:00 am with the official start at 11:00 am.

There is no better way to boost our collective spirit than to get outside and do something positive for those who can’t. We all know someone who is struggling with a cancer diagnosis. The Terry Fox Run is a wonderful way to show support and be part of the cure. We’ve got this!