Fred Fox making the rounds in Westman

Several Westman communities are getting a visit from the brother of Terry Fox this week.

Fred Fox toured schools in Inglis, Russell and Waywayseecappo First Nation on Tuesday as part of his mission to keep Terry’s story alive and give a first-hand account of his famous brother’s goal.

He is also set to present to schools in Rossburn, Shoal Lake and Strathclair today, Hamiota and Miniota on Thursday, and Birtle and Binscarth on Friday.

Fox said it’s important to get to smaller communities and not just the larger centres.

“Doing rural western Manitoba is a great way to get to those communities that have been just as dedicated and passionate about Terry Fox runs and Terry’s legacy,” he told the Sun while on the road between communities Tuesday afternoon.

“Terry never made it to Manitoba, and had to stop in Thunder Bay, so to be able to visit rural, small farming communities and schools — I think it’s important to be able to do that and say, ‘Thank you.’”

On top of the school visits, other community events were held in Russell on Monday evening and Rossburn on Tuesday evening. A potluck and public presentation is also planned for the Sandy Lake Drop-in Centre at 5:30 p.m. today and at the Rapid City Regional Library at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Fox said he hopes the communities he tours can see the gratitude his family and the Terry Fox Foundation’s staff have for the people who continue to support his brother’s legacy.

In 1980, Terry Fox started running across the country from the eastern shore of Newfoundland and Labrador, running a marathon a day with one natural leg and one prosthesis.

Terry ran across several provinces raising money for cancer research before succumbing to his own cancer while running near Thunder Bay, Ont., and later dying at a hospital in British Columbia.

The Terry Fox Foundation has since raised more than $1 billion for cancer research in order to cure all types of cancer.

Terry’s efforts have also been commemorated with the Terry Fox Day holiday in Manitoba and runs organized by schools across the country.

Terry is also set to be the face on the new $5 bill, according to the Bank of Canada.

“Terry could never have imagined what he started in 1980 in St John’s, Newfoundland … almost 46 years ago, would be what it is today, and he would be so proud,” Fox said of his younger brother.

“Terry would be so proud of how people have taken up the baton to continue what he started. It’s really cool to see things have happened and continue all these years later.”

Fox said it’s also cool to be back in western Manitoba, where his family has connections. His mother was born in Boissevain and grew up in Melita.

“It’s really good to know that communities that we’re kind of connected to — or an area of the country that we’re kind of connected to through our mom — are still doing their part and continuing Terry’s dream,” Fox added.

He said the money donated for research has had a tremendous impact for people with cancer, including increasing the survival rates for different forms of cancer, increasing the quality of life for patients and in some cases, preventing the need for doctors to remove a person’s limb.

Fox’s presentation includes photos of his brother from when he was a kid and during the Marathon of Hope, he said.

Children at the schools often create artwork of Terry, he said, which he said was “cool” to see every time he goes to present and share Terry’s story.

» alambert@brandonsun.com