How far would you go to honour your hero?
If you were to look up “Terry Foxer” in the dictionary, there’s a good chance you’d find a picture of Vern Hodgins.
Back in 1980, Vern was a teacher in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan. Like most of the country, he was inspired by the determined young amputee running across Canada to raise money for cancer research. Vern even planned a field trip to take his class to the highway so they could cheer for Terry as he ran by. Sadly, the trip never happened because Terry was forced to stop running just outside of Thunder Bay.
But Vern was deeply moved by the Marathon of Hope.
“Terry had this goal to do a thing that was supposedly impossible. What he did is just incredible,” says Vern. Those aren’t just words. Vern has literally spent the last 45 years honouring Terry’s extraordinary spirit.
For starters, he’s been in every Terry Fox Run since the very first one in 1981. Over the years, Vern has participated in Runs in at least nine different communities across Saskatchewan, once in Manitoba (with his then 95-year-old father), and twice in Nova Scotia. For decades, he was a volunteer Run Organizer in Prince Albert. And he spent many a vacation taking the family to visit the different Terry Fox monuments across Canada.
As a teacher, Vern did a unit every year on what it means to be a hero. “It was easy to talk to kids about character traits like courage, perseverance, and never giving up,” he says. Although he’s now retired, last year, Vern went to Nova Scotia to give a talk about Terry to the students at his granddaughter’s school.
And during the early, uncertain days of the pandemic, Vern would put on his snowshoes or his snowmobiling boots to stamp the word HOPE in every snowy field, lawn, and trail he could find.
Leading – and learning – by example
Vern’s connection to Terry grew even stronger in 2018 when he was diagnosed with cancer. Today, Vern is proud to wear a red Run shirt, signifying he’s a Terry’s Team Member.
Not surprisingly, this year’s 45th anniversary is extra special. In true Vern style, he’s taking his family almost 4,000 KM to be part of the Terry Fox Run on Confederation Bridge. On September 21, the family will celebrate Terry’s incredible legacy by walking the span between New Brunswick and PEI.
Vern’s daughter, Kami, sums up the family’s feelings about this latest, greatest Terry-related adventure. “We’re all so excited for the Run on the bridge,” she exclaims. “We love PEI and had planned to attend it in 2020, but alas, covid thwarted that so here we are in 2025. Dad is especially eager to share the experience with 10,000 or 20,000 others. We’re staying in an Air B&B near the Bridge and can’t wait to soak it all in!”
Vern has given a lifetime of service to honour the example Terry set. In the words of Fred Fox, Terry’s older brother, “The reason the Terry Fox Run has continued all these years is because of people like Vern! And people across Canada who volunteer with Terry Fox Runs and organize Terry Fox School Runs. These things don’t happen without people like Vern who give up their time.” You’re so right, Fred.
Thank you, Vern! And thank you to everyone who participates, fundraises, or volunteers in Terry’s name. You’re supporting innovative, life-changing cancer research by Canada’s very best scientists. This is how we finish it.
Find your local Terry Fox Run. Join a team. Or, create your own team with friends, family, or work colleagues. And, if you’re planning a trip to the Maritimes this fall, join Vern and his family for the very special Terry Fox Run on Confederation Bridge.
