David Kirk says his goal in organizing this year’s 30th anniversary Terry Fox Run is to “broaden the number of potential sponsors.”

“We have a wonderful volunteer base that facilitates this event each year and I think it is now up to our community to support this,” said Mr. Kirk. “Cancer affects us all, either directly or indirectly. It is a powerful and relentless disease and our response should be equally as powerful and relentless.

“I am challenging our community to be involved! I acknowledge and thank many who support a variety of ‘cancer research’ initiatives through participation and sponsorship, but hope they may also support this local event.”

His personal goal is to raise $3,000 in pledges in honour of the 30th year. “Terry said, ‘If I can not finish this others will have to!’ I am one of those and offer people not participating a chance to sponsor me by going on-line to terry fox.org. Here you can find the ‘Donate to Participant’ tab and then enter David Kirk Orangeville.” He notes that just $1 person in Orangeville would more than double the recent annual total, bringing it to $30 000.

“Please help me keep Terry’s Dream alive!”

Mr. Kirk says that in past he has “run, then biked and now proudly walk the course. This year marks the 30th year and I have participated each and every year.”

While acknowledging that $30,000 is “a lofty goal,” he said it’s nevertheless one that can be achieved with the community’s support.

His personal goal is to raise one-tenth of the total. “I only need one sponsor of $3 000 or perhaps three $1,000 donations. I could achieve this goal with 10 $300 commitments of support or 300 at $10. In reality, I can achieve this goal with the sum total of each person contributing their small part.”

He notes that runners can be sponsored in several ways.

On-line pledging “seems to be the current favourite, new to me, but Terry and my family will be proud that I’ve joined the 21st century.”

As well, there are the traditional Sponsor Sheets that can be filled out by either visiting or calling him or by filling out a form on the website and returning it to 42 Zina Street, “and then I will fill out the sheet for your tax receipt.”