Every year 81-year-old Keith Tapp laces up his runners and takes part in the Terry Fox Run. “This is 46,” said Tapp. “I started as a young man and I’m far from young today.” Tapp said it’s a tradition he holds close to his heart. “My own wife is a cancer survivor,” said Tapp. “When I read the paper and look at all the deaths from cancer I say we have to keep doing it.” With every stride, Tapp said he thinks of Fox and all he accomplished. “I think hey if a guy with one leg can do it,” said Tapp. “Everyone can do it.” Tapp is a part of an elite group of runners who have never missed a year and they’ve earned a special nickname. “The every timers, people that are participating in their 46th run,” said Pete Ferguson, a committee member with Terry Fox Run London. “it’s just amazing what they’ve done.” Pete Ferguson with Terry Fox Run London said it’s inspiring to see people like Tapp show up year after year. “London is a very generous place,” said Ferguson. “People donate to a lot of things and we’re very happy they choose to donate to the Terry Fox Run every year.” Don Clayton has been a volunteer with the run for almost 30 years. “London is usually in the top ten for money raised across Canada,” said Clayton. “That’s really good.” He is also a friend of the Fox family. “They’re not extravagant people,” said Clayton. “All the money is donated it does not go to any member of the fox family, I was there when counts were being made, the whole family was sitting in the living room counting the money coming in.” He said Fox would be proud to see how far Canada has come in Cancer research. “Terry was like his mom,” said Clayton. “Very stubborn, didn’t want to give up on anything.” Researchers said events like this are important. “The only way we can stop things like cancer is through research and funding,” said Tallulah Andrews, an assistant professor with Western University. “Understanding what the problem is and figuring out a solution to it.” For Tapp, that’s all the more reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other. “We can do it, just keep at it,” said Tapp. “Eventually we’ll beat this cancer.”
