On Sunday, May 8, 2022, The Terry Fox Foundation lost one of its greatest friends, the mighty Will Dwyer of Barrie, Ontario. Will participated in all 41 Terry Fox Runs, including last year’s virtual edition at the age of 96. He was the ultimate door-to-door canvasser, knocking on more than 1,200 doors a year with pledge sheet and pen in hand. More recently, Will recognized he could reach even more people by fundraising online, and started receiving donations from supporters around the world who had heard about his $1 million fundraising goal for cancer research, inspired by Terry. In 2019, we celebrated Will and his magnificent effort as he reached his goal, becoming our “Million Dollar Will” with a personal thank you visit from Terry’s niece Alexandra Fox on Run Day.

Of course, Will did not stop there – just like his hero Terry did in 1980, he set a new goal: $2 million. He was well on his way there when he died on Sunday, his total now a remarkable $1,203,829.40. Will understood from personal experience how every dollar he raised mattered to cancer patients and their families. What he might not have recognized because he was so humble, was how important his example also was to his community of friends and family. Will never gave up, he never quit, and he believed he could make a difference to the very end. And what a difference he made. Thank you, kind, funny, marvelous Will Dwyer. You will be greatly missed.

Will’s wonderful family intends to continue his remarkable fundraising legacy. Please join them in paying tribute to Will and celebrating his life with a donation in his honour by visiting: https://run.terryfox.ca/page/willdwyertributes