Photos: The 42nd Annual Terry Fox Run Raised Over $25,000 For Cancer Research

The 42nd Annual Terry Fox Run returned with an in-person event after two years of going virtual and raised over $25,000 for cancer research at Nicholls Oval Park on Sunday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

All photos courtesy of the Terry Fox Run.

Despite heavy rain, runners, walkers and cyclists could venture the one-kilometre, 10-kilometre or custom route with no limit on time or distance. This year’s theme was ‘I'm no quitter.’ Anyone dressed in red during the event were cancer survivors.

Pledges were collected in person and online. The online donation page had a goal of $20,000.

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Local Candy Shop is Donated Mall Storefront To Help Cancer Fundraiser

A sweet deal for Lisa Couture and her candygram store ‘Couture Candy PTBO’ as they were donated storefront space in Lansdowne Place to aid in their ‘Cancer Care is Sweet’ fundraiser announced Thursday.

Photo by Luke Best.

The new storefront is located in Lansdowne Place between Journeys and Claire’s at the bottom of the escalator. Couture Candy PTBO is occupying the space until the end of the year.

The mall contacted Couture via e-mail about being given the storefront space which came as an unexpected yet pleasant surprise. The mall recognized the candygram store’s community efforts which resulted in the offer Couture could not refuse.

“They were figuring out how to work with us and admired our business because it’s so community-driven,” explained Couture. “It’s expensive to be in the mall and he thought our campaign was a perfect opportunity and they have an empty space.”

The fundraising proceeds go towards the Peterborough Regional Health Center Foundation for cancer care with a goal of $10,000. The campaign started on June 21 and runs until Oct. 3. However, if the campaign is running strong and donations continue near the end date, it will continue according to Couture.

“$10,000 is a lot for a small business so every little bit helps,” said Couture.

The new Lansdowne location will require more staff as Couture is hiring. Photo courtesy of Lisa Couture.

The shop is selling select bags of candy where $1 of each product sold goes towards the foundations. Several charity candy bags feature freeze-dried brand candy and assorted mixes.

Donations can also be made at the store or online.

Their downtown location will remain in its original location with no plans to move said Couture. No dates have been announced for its grand opening but will have the same operating hours as the mall.

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Hometown PTBO: Cancer Survivor Neave Alderson With Her Battle With Ewing Sarcoma, Pink in the Rink and Being Cancer-Free

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with cancer survivor and grade nine student Neave Alderson about her battle with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer; her involvement with Pink in the Rink and how she is almost five years cancer-free.

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Peterborough Man Joins Team Cycling From Toronto To Halifax Raising Money To Support Care Programs For Cancer Patients

Sean Cullen, a Peterborough local, will be joining a group of cyclists as they travel from Toronto to Halifax to raise money for Wellspring, an organization that provides supportive care programs to help Canadians who are living with cancer.

Photo courtesy of Sean Cullen.

Wellspring is available at no charge, with no referrals necessary and accepts clients with any type of cancer at any stage in their journey.

They receive no government funding and rely completely on donations.

Cullen, who’s mother in law used Wellsprings services while she battled cancer, says that on top of one-on-one peer support, financial advice and rehabilitation support Wellsprings acts as a community.

“Being diagnosed with cancer can feel isolating so it’s important to have a community to talk with,” he said. “So being able to drop in to any of these locations and have these support groups are incredible.”

There are three Wellsprings locations in the Greater Toronto area, one in Niagara, London, and Brampton as well as a few locations in Alberta.

Photo courtesy of Sean Cullen.

On August 20, Cullen will join a team of cyclists for 3000 km, week long ride from Toronto to Halifax

The trip will act like a relay, with groups of five or six taking turns making the trek, then being driven to their next starting point twelve hours later.

“We ride day and night, which will be a really cool experience,” he said.

Cullen who is an avid cyclist says he’s excited for the challenge, the adventure it will be and of course to opportunity to raise money for a charity he cares about.

Cullen’s personal fundraising goal is $10,000 and is confident that he will reach his mark before he takes off on his journey in August.

Donations can be made online here. He, along with friends and family, will also be hosting various fundraising events in the coming months. Updates can be found on his Instagram and Facebook page.

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Local Retired Teacher With Cancer Ready To Take the Next Step

After being diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer and 30 years of teaching, local teacher Andrew Astrom is going from the classroom to the real estate world.

Astrom has played high school football with NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights insider and Peterborough native Gary Lawless. Photo courtesy of Andrew Astrom.

Astrom discovered his cancer on May 4 and had surgery on Aug. 5 where his thyroid and several lymph nodes were removed. He has lost most of his voice, has side neck pain and suffers nerve pain when he eats.

He retired from Holy Cross Secondary school in late December after the fall semester of last year following a 20-year tenure. He made his decision due to his cancer and influence from his recently retired colleague Andre Metivier.

Astrom retired from Holy Cross taking with him a lock, pictures of his sons and a Rubik’s cube. Photo courtesy of Andrew Astrom.

He spent his first five years teaching in Lindsay then worked at Immaculate Conception School in Peterborough for another five. The rest of his tenure was spent at Holy Cross teaching a variety of subjects but with a focus on social sciences.

"There were some tough days in education but most of it has been great,” reflected Astrom. “The kids you meet, the colleagues you have, just the added experiences of sports and all of those things. It's been an amazing run.

Astrom with his wife Tammie have three sons together with two of them as collegiate quarterbacks. Photo courtesy of Andrew Astrom.

Astrom is following in his wife’s footsteps as a real estate agent with Bowes & Cocks. He is close to having full certification as the next step of his life. He says he refuses to let his cancer hold him down from being a functional member of society.

“I've just said it's time to get going here,” remarked Astrom. “I'm not a good victim, I'm not a good patient so I had to find a way for me to get back to being useful.”

Astrom is scheduled for a follow-up surgery at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto later this year.

Some of his hobbies include woodworking and playing guitar. He has been the offensive coordinator for the Holy Cross football team during the school’s second season in 2003.

After 30 years of teaching, Astrom says he will miss all the students he has met over the years.

“I will always love being in front of kids,” he said. “There’s a lot of kids that have connected with my style and my personality and a lot who didn’t. I don’t take it personally but I will miss all the kids.”

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Hometown PTBO: Four-Year-Old Jaxon Croft's Journey From Beating Cancer And Supporting Sick Kids

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Jesse Croft and his four-year-old son Jaxon about being in remission from Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, that inspired the “Cancer is Poopy” campaign to benefit Sick Kids.

Support the cause by visiting their website where 20 per cent of the proceeds go towards Sick Kids Foundation.

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