When the country was asked to pick the greatest Canadian of all time, there was no surprise Terry Fox was near the top of the list. 

He was number two for that matter. 

Personifying courage and determination, he inspired millions around the world to do their part to find a cure for the disease that took his leg, accomplishing more in a cross country attempt than any other Canadian since the railroad.

So it is sad to hear that Jasper may lose its Terry Fox run due to a lack of organizers. The Jasper Booster was a long supporter of the run, however this is an example of how Sun Media’s decision to close the paper ended up affecting more than news coverage.

The run has become a tradition for so many across the nation, and while the local run was never a huge money maker when compared to other charities, every bit does count. Jasper would be the only community in Alberta without a Terry Fox Run if an organizer isn’t found. That’s not a reputation the town wants. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that point.

Hinton will have a race, as will Lake Louise, so there are alternatives for those who want to run. But for Jasper to be outdone by the tiny village of Lake Louise is frankly embarrassing.

The spirit of Terry Fox has inspired many in the area. A mountain to the west bears his name and so many look to his courage to inspire their own journeys.

Cancer research has become a multi-billion dollar industry, with one in two Canadians expected to be diagnosed with some form of the disease in their lifetime. Health care costs continue to balloon across the country, and money raised by these events helps fund research necessary to battle cancer. As health care budgets rise and governments cut funds, more pressure falls onto fundraisers to carry the burden governments have shifted off of their shoulders. Especially in tough economic times, that seems unfair.

Regardless of such policies, Jasperites will still respond.

And while numerous runs and fundraisers have divided up volunteer hours, and the town suffers from a bad case of volunteer burnout, there are dreams that shouldn’t be left unfulfilled. 

Terry Fox has remained strong for decades. 

There is no need to let his legacy wane now.