www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 27, 2008 - 27 Sign up for 28th annual Terry Fox Run Oakville's Terry Fox Run is gearing up for its 28th annual edition to be held Sept. 14 and Oakville residents and businesses are being encouraged to get involved. Residents can help raise money to support cancer research by forming teams and registering to take part in one of the oldest and best known single-day charitable runs in the world. 2008 will mark Oakville's second time hosting a Terry Fox Run Team Challenge, formerly known as the Corporate Team Challenge. Last year team challenges raised more than $1.5 million across Canada to support Terry Fox's goal, reflected in the 2007 Terry Fox Run theme, "For a World Without Cancer." This will also mark the third year that Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn has entered a team in the Oakville Terry Fox Run. Team Flynn will be out in full force again this year. "I have always been a big supporter of the Terry Fox Run here in Oakville, and having the chance to participate as a team was a no-brainer. We really enjoy ourselves, and are able to raise money for such a good cause at the same time," said Flynn. The team is typical of those who participate in the run some members of the team run the 10 km route; others, like Flynn himself, walk the 5 km route, and some come out on their bicycles to take part. Teams can be made up of families, friends or businesses. There is no set criteria to make up a team other than a group of people who want to support Terry Fox and his dream. "Oakville has a long tradition of its residents generously supporting charitable causes and the Terry Fox Run is very near and dear to the hearts of many Canadians," said Ralph Robinson, chair of Oakville's Terry Fox Run. "We encourage families and local businesses across Oakville to form run teams in support of Terry's dream of finding a cure for cancer," said Robinson. Forming a team is easy: simply register two or more participants under a team name, collect pledges in support of the team between now and September 14 and join thousands of participants on Run day in support of cancer research. There is no registration fee, no minimum pledge required to participate and no maximum number of team members. As with all Terry Fox Runs across Canada, 100 per cent of the money raised goes directly to the Terry Fox Foundation to support cancer research. The Terry Fox Run is a non-competitive event and participants are invited to walk, run, jog, inline skate or bike at their own pace the 5K or 10K route. Teams can register online at www.terryfoxrun.org or contact Keri Schoonderwoerd at keri.schoonderwoerd058@sympatico.ca for assistance. Forming a corporate team is a great way for local businesses to promote a healthy lifestyle and build team spirit among employees, as well as enhance the company's image in the community. Corporate teams can talk to their employer about matching and/or volunteer recognition programs. Workplaces can co-ordinate their own fundraising events in support of their corporate team and even issue friendly challenges to other local companies to see which team can sign the most members or raise the most funds. Teams can be creative by printing their own run team t-shirts and offering prizes for the team members who raise the most funds. In addition to collecting pledges, there are many ways for groups to raise funds in support of their team such as barbecues, car washes, silent auctions, craft sales and internal contests. The 28th annual Terry Fox Run will be held at Abbey Park Secondary School on Sunday, Sept. 14 starting at 10 a.m. The run site, at 1455 Glen Abbey Gate (next to the Glen Abbey Rec Centre), offers fun for the whole family, with music, food, fitness, friends and a heartfelt celebration of a Canadian hero and his dream of finding a cure for cancer. The annual Terry Fox Run has evolved to become one of the largest single-day fundraising events for cancer research in the world. Participants in over 52 countries around the world have hosted local Terry Fox runs for 26 years, raising more than $400 million for cancer research since 1980's Marathon of Hope. For general information about the Terry Fox Run, contact Ralph Robinson at 905-827-7659. Pool Heater Repair We Service & Carry Parts for... TD Laars, Jandy, Hayward, Problem Mini Max, Raypak, Sta-Rite. Solving ~ Start up, Service & Cleaning ~ TD Laars & Jandy Factory Trained TD Laars & Jandy Factory Trained Warranty Service Technicians Service Technicians Since '82! Experience is the difference! 905-523-8751 905-845-0701 Email: scott@gasfix.ca