Annual walk dedicated to longtime Timmins volunteer

After over 40 years of volunteer work at a local event, organizers are honouring the memory of one woman’s dedication.

Patricia Onotsky was a fixture at the Timmins' Terry Fox Walk. 

“She always showed up, even toward the end when her family had to bring her,” said organizer Cathy Davis. “We can never forget all the people who have come before us, we’ve had so many good volunteers.”

This year’s local walk on Sept. 15 is dedicated to the longtime volunteer, who died in June. It’s happening at Gillies Lake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Last year’s run raised $13,500. 

Memories of friends and Terry Fox’s determination are a big motivating factor for local volunteers.

“We always invite friends and family and teams to meet with us and celebrate the day,” said Davis. “The people that are cancer patients, in recovery, in remission but we’ll never forget the memories of the brave people who have left us.”

Through Fox's inspirational story, Davis wants people to remember that they can persevere through anything. That belief is summed up by this year’s theme, ‘No matter what’.

“It’s very moving, with the obstacle and the journey,” she said. “This really motivates and touches people.”

Terry Fox was 18 years old when he started his run across the country to raise funds for cancer research after losing his leg to osteogenic sarcoma. He travelled 5,373 km before the cancer returned and forced him to stop in September 1980 outside of Thunder Bay. 

The stories of that run are still alive, and Davis hears them often when she’s wearing the shirts from the runs.

“I had people stop me in the grocery store and say ‘Did you know that my aunt and uncle in Sault Ste. Marie…’ and they’ll tell the story, or ‘My family owned a hotel on the highway and Terry stayed with them’, just one story after another,” she said. “That’s what inspires us when we hear those stories. It’s the storytelling that really touches us.”

Timmins organizers have not missed a year with their event in 44 years.

“We were fortunate, we went right through COVID, and we’re very proud that Timmins has never missed one year out of 44 years,” said Davis. “We might have been small but we were there if people wanted to show up.”

For those looking to donate to the Timmins event, Davis said they’re welcome to stop by during the run, or visit the fundraising site online. 

There will be Terry Fox shirts on sale at the event as well, with adult sizes for $25 and children’s for $20. The Kinsmen of Timmins will also be fundraising with a hot dog barbecue.

“Come to have a hot dog, come share a memory with a friend,” said Davis. “Just keep the memory of our Canadian hero alive.”