An upcoming national broadcast is set to share stories of courage and hope based on the legacy of one of the most recognizable names in Canada's history.
On Monday (Aug. 9), Terry Fox is scheduled to be honoured and remembered as his namesake foundation will host a televised fundraising special for innovative cancer research in continuation of his Marathon of Hope legacy.
As part of the event, entitled Terry Fox: The Power of One, Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam will be turning red and blue that evening — one of 12 landmarks across the country that will do so:
- BC Place
- Vancouver Convention Centre
- Sails of Light
- Calgary Tower
- CN Tower
- Niagara Falls
- Halifax’s city hall
- Charlottetown’s city hall
- Regina’s city hall
- St John's, N.L. city hall
- Terry Fox Mile Zero Memorial (St John’s, N.L.)
Fox was born in Winnipeg but raised in Port Coquitlam after moving to the Tri-City area in 1968.
He played basketball and was a long-distance runner in his high school, which was eventually renamed for the Canadian icon in 1986, 10 years after his graduation and five years after his death.
According to a release sent to the Tri-City News, Lafarge Lake's light up is set to be part of a historic milestone as it'll help mark the first time in more than four decades the Terry Fox Foundation has hosted a national benefit broadcast.
The last time one took place was in September 1980, when Fox's original Marathon of Hope came to an end.
"The Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network is dedicated to accelerating cancer research in Canada and allows some of Canada’s best cancer researchers and clinicians to share their data and technologies, delivering the best outcomes for each cancer patient in Canada - no matter where they are," reads the release.
Other Canadian icons are set to make an appearance during the broadcast, including Hayley Wickenheiser, Catherine O'Hara, Alessia Cara, Sidney Crosby, Steve Nash, Rick Mercer and Tom Cochrane.
The one-hour special is scheduled for 5 p.m. Pacific time on CBC TV and online.