MOOSE JAW — Prairie Â鶹´«Ã½AV School Division raised nearly $50,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation in 2024, while two elementary schools — including one in Moose Jaw — were some of the top fundraisers in Saskatchewan.
Deanna Holowachuk, foundation manager of school runs in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, sent a letter to Prairie Â鶹´«Ã½AV’s board of education — trustees received it during their June meeting — saying schools from coast to coast had raised nearly $14 million for cancer research during the 2024 Terry Fox School Run.
Of that amount, schools in PSSD “showed great strength and leadership” by raising $46,385.90, which was a “remarkable achievement,” she remarked.
Moreover, Lindale School in Moose Jaw and Assiniboia Seventh Avenue School reached top fundraising status for elementary schools in Saskatchewan after raising $3,750 and $6,335, respectively. Out of the top 25 elementary school fundraisers in the province, the two schools placed 23rd and seventh, respectively.
O.M. Irwin School in Swift Current raised the most for elementary schools with $12,754.58, while Davidson School in Davidson raised the most for high schools with $19,143.60.
“During the Marathon of Hope, Terry ran into the hearts of Canadians who were inspired by his tenacity and courage,” Holowachuk wrote. “Today, his legacy is as iconic as the maple leaf itself, standing for what it means to be Canadian: kind, generous and compassionate.
“Your students have shown themselves to be positive agents for change, empowered and determined to lead the fight against cancer.”
Holowachuk noted that the future of cancer research “is brighter than ever” because of students and staff across the country going above and beyond to make a difference, just as Fox did when he began his marathon nearly five decades ago.
The 18-year-old — who had a cancer diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma above the knee — kicked off his journey on April 12, 1980, by dipping his artificial leg in the Atlantic Ocean. He then ran 5,373 kilometres — he reached Thunder Bay, Ont., or halfway across Canada — before the cancer forced him to stop on Sept. 1, 1980.
Fox later died on June 28, 1981, at age 19.
Last year marked the first time that the foundation surpassed registering 10,000 schools across the country, with the organization impressed and grateful for the support it received, Holowachuk said. The foundation has an ambitious goal of registering every school across Canada but requires help to attain that objective.
“We greatly appreciate your endorsement of the 2025 Terry Fox School Run — Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, or any date that works best — to all of your schools … ,” continued Holowachuk.
“Your family of schools sets a shining example of what can be accomplished with a focused goal and a collaborative spirit of generosity and determination,” she stated. “2025 marks the 45th anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope. Get ready! It’s going to be big!
“Excitement is already building for our newly launched campaign #FinishIt,” Holowachuk added. “Terry Fox started a marathon against cancer. Together, we can finish it!”
The next Prairie Â鶹´«Ã½AV School Division board meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 2.
