New national initiative unites university students from coast to coast in honour of Canadian hero Terry Fox's legacy for cancer research

VANCOUVER, Sept. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - For the first-time ever, students at universities across Canada are uniting from coast to coast to honour Canadian hero Terry Fox and to support his 32-year legacy of raising funds for cancer research.

Terry's CAUSE on Campus (TCC) is being launched today by the Terry Fox Foundation (TFF) and the Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) in partnership with a founding group of universities: Carleton University, Dalhousie University, McMaster University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Queen's University, Simon Fraser University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Toronto. (CAUSE stands for College and University Student Engagement.)

Thousands of university students are expected to take part in the inaugural year, with events being held on campuses during September and early October in Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. All funds raised will go to TFF for investment in cancer research by TFRI.

"We are thrilled with the enthusiasm and support that students, organizers and leaders at these institutions and others have shown for Terry's CAUSE on Campus. Terry began planning and training for his Marathon of Hope while he was a first-year university student.  He would be pleased and honoured to know that today students across Canada continue to be inspired by him and are joining together to support his dream - our dream - of ending cancer. We are extremely grateful to each and every person who is involved in this initiative and those who will be supporting Terry's CAUSE on Campus. Your support will help us to make a difference," said Mr. Darrell Fox, brother of Terry and a TFRI special advisor, who is spearheading the national initiative.

"The Terry Fox Foundation is extremely pleased to be launching this new initiative in partnership with TFRI and our supporter institutions at universities from coast to coast," said Ms Rhonda Risebrough, TFF provincial director (Alberta, Nunavut and Northwest Territories) and a member of the TCC executive committee. "It is a wonderful tribute to Terry Fox and his legacy by students who today are largely the same age that Terry was when he began training for his Marathon of Hope."

"TFRI is committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients and this new initiative will help to ensure that TFRI is able to invest in the most promising and excellent discovery and translational research in Canada as well as to train future cancer researchers to realize Terry's dream. We are especially pleased that our university partners, whose researchers conduct the research we fund, are supportive of this new initiative. We hope Terry's CAUSE on Campus will continue to grow across the country and even beyond, in countries around the world," says Dr. Victor Ling, TFRI president and scientific director.

Simon Fraser University, Terry's alma mater, is leading the founding group of institutions in establishing Terry's CAUSE on Campus. SFU holds a Terry Fox Day annually.  "Terry attended Simon Fraser University as a kinesiology student when he was 18. At 19, he became a cancer patient. At 21, he was a hero. This national event is a great opportunity for current students - our country's future leaders and researchers - to come together for a great cause and at the same time pay tribute to one of the country's greatest heroes," says Dr. Tim Rahilly, associate vice-president, students, Simon Fraser University. "His courage, determination and selflessness continue to inspire us all."

While McMaster and Queen's universities have previously held Terry Fox events on campus, many of the participating institutions are launching events for the first time. In St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador where Terry's Marathon of Hope began in 1980, students at Memorial University of Newfoundland will participate in a new campus run as part of their fall Orientation program. In Toronto, Ontario, students at the University of Toronto will participate for the first time in a run that will bring students from all three campus locations in the Greater Toronto Area to its Scarborough Campus. Dalhousie University and the University of Calgary will hold inaugural events on their campuses in October (as will UofT).  Students at Carleton University in Ottawa will join forces with the Terry Fox Run in Ottawa, with two run times now set for September 16^th. Other institutions are planning similar events. See the complete schedule below.

In addition to the founding group, several other university and college institutions are expected to participate in Terry's CAUSE on Campus in 2013. Complete details are available at www.terryfox.org/terryscauseoncampus and www.facebook.com/terryscause  . Students at participating institutions can register online at www.terryfox.org/terryscauseoncampus .

Other universities and colleges wishing to join Terry's CAUSE on Campus can contact the Foundation directly at [email protected].

About TFF/TFRI:

The Terry Fox Foundation (TFF) maintains the vision and principles of Terry Fox while raising money for cancer research through the annual Terry Fox Run, National School Run Day and other fundraising initiatives which, to date, have raised over $600 million worldwide. Launched in October 2007, The Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) is the brainchild of The Terry Fox Foundation (TFF).  TFRI seeks to improve significantly the outcomes of cancer research for the patient through a highly collaborative, team-oriented, milestone-based approach to research that will enable discoveries to translate quickly into practical solutions for cancer patients worldwide. TFRI collaborates with over 50 cancer hospitals and research organizations across Canada. For more information, visit  www.terryfox.org and www.tfri.ca.

Note to media: Interviews with Mr. Fox, Dr. Ling and Ms Risebrough may be scheduled in advance via the media contacts below.

Rhonda Risebrough
Provincial Director
The Terry Fox Foundation
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]

OR

Kelly Curwin
Chief Communications Officer
Terry Fox Research Institute
[email protected]
604-675-8223 Office; 778-237-8158 Cell

2012 Inaugural Launch Schedule of Events for Terry's CAUSE on Campus (Institution/Event Date)

Carleton University/ Sept. 16

Dalhousie University / Sept. 16

McMaster University / Sept. 16

Memorial University of Newfoundland/Sept 20

Queen's University/ Sept.16

Simon Fraser University /Sept. 18

University of Calgary / October 12

University of Toronto/ Oct. 3

Video with caption: "Video: Terry's CAUSE on Campus: Students at universities across Canada unite to honour Canadian icon Terry Fox and raise money for cancer research.". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=15JxEjOc_lQ

Video with caption: "Video: A Message from the Governor General of Canada: Launch of Terry's CAUSE on Campus". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tq8cTG-tyTE

SOURCE: Terry Fox Research Institute

Rhonda Risebrough 
Provincial Director 
The Terry Fox Foundation
Tel: [phone] 
[email protected]

OR

Kelly Curwin
Chief Communications Officer 
Terry Fox Research Institute 
[email protected] 
604-675-8223 Office; 778-237-8158 Cell