Influencers

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Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Terry Fox, Marathon of Hope. I remember when Terry set out on his cross-Canada journey. He didn't have a lot of support. People wondered why he would want to run across the country. Many of us dismissed it as an impossible notion. He got very little fanfare when he dipped his artificial leg in the Atlantic. But he had a dream, and he had grit, and he had stamina and he had courage.

By the time he had to halt his run mid-way, the whole country was cheering him on. I knew the doctor who treated Terry in Thunder Bay and he was heart-broken to know that Terry would not get better. Later, I was on a bus in Nevada when a fellow Canadian asked about him and I had to confirm that he was too sick to continue. Tears welled in her eyes. Then we explained about Terry and his marathon to others around us and they were stunned, and wanted to know how to help.

Even though he was unable to complete his run that first Marathon of Hope raised $24.2 million-- long before the age of social media and "Go Fund Me" campaigns.

Since that time, the Terry Fox run in staged every year in towns and cities in every province across the country, and has raised over $900 million for research into a cure for cancer. The funds are now administered by the Terry Fox Research Institute. 

In the CBC "Greatest Canadian" program, Terry Fox came second only to Tommy Douglas. Even though his own run was cut short, Terry's influence has been felt for 45 years and counting.

Our modern age has spawned a different kind of "influencer." These are often self-styled experts who use social media to give advice, or post a rant, or expound their views on a variety of topics. Their aim is to create a business. 

The big difference between these "influencers" and Terry Fox, is that they are working for themselves, whereas he put himself to a gruelling test in order to help others. He knew any cancer treatment breakthroughs funded by his efforts, would come too late for him. He ran to beat cancer and help the many, many others afflicted by this dreadful disease.

Next Saturday, we are all invited to emulate Terry in a walk along the Gorge in Victoria. It is a fundraiser for PWS&D (Presbyterian World Service and Development) as it works to alleviate food insecurity around the world, especially in the most troubled areas. Walk for Hope is planned at the Gorge Waterway Park on Saturday, September 20 at 9:30 a.m., meeting at the parking lot by the pavilion at Kinsman Gorge Park near the Tillicum Bridge. Further information can be found at:  https://presbyterian.ca/pwsd/together-in-motion-and-song/  

If you have a love of hymn singing, you can join with like minded folks on Thursday, Sept. 25, 7:00 pm Trinity (2964 Tillicum Rd, Victoria.) If you don't want to drive that far you can always come to SPPC for choir at 7:00 pm any Thursday!

Who are your "influencers?" Are you caught up in the lives of celebrities or sports heroes? Do they inspire you to "love your neighbour?"

Remember that Jesus Christ is the greatest "influencer" of all time. His life and work changed the world. His teachings have reverberated through the centuries, inspiring the best of humanity. Let us "follow" Him.