Countdown to the Terry Fox Run - Lisa's Story

• Posted on 19 August 2025
• By Lisa
• 0

As we count down to the Terry Fox Run in Guelph, we’re honoured to share some of the voices and stories of local cancer survivors from our very own run community —stories of strength, resilience, and hope. Register to be a part of Team Running Works at TerryFox.org and join us on September 14th as we take the next step in Terry’s journey together.

Today, we’re sharing Lisa's journey. Lisa is a survivor celebrating over 6 and a half years of being Cancer-free. She has been a long-time members of the Running Works running crew and frequent participant of our clinics. Lisa is also the creative genius behind the naming of “Gin Runny”, our signature cocktail at the The Ward Bar at Spring Mill Distillery.

Lisa shares with us what running has meant to her, how it has helped, and why she’s running in this year’s event. Her words speak to the courage it takes to face cancer, and the power of community in moving forward.

Being diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at the age of 39 rocked my world. Running became a lifeline though 6 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, 25 rounds of radiation, and 71 consecutive months of hospital visits. Today I am 2,388 days cancer free. Grateful. Every. Single. Day.

Through it all, I leaned on the legacy of my hero, Terry Fox. I put one foot in front of the other often thinking about his everyday courage to keep going. I wore his shirts to chemo, to radiation, to the gym—everywhere. It helped explain “what was up”, even to my school-aged children, who themselves also looked up to Terry. He reminded me I wasn’t alone. In a way, I felt Terry had my back, and now I do my best to have his in helping carry his legacy.

During early stages of chemo and much uncertainty, I needed something to hold on to, something to work toward that felt tangible. I found it in the 5 Peaks Trail Race Series, starting just 11 days after radiation ended. Badly burnt, but so determined to just feel like myself again, each race in the series became a milestone, with the final one marking the end of active treatment. 

Inspired by Terry’s 143 consecutive marathons, I launched my own 143-day challenge—#RunningOutofCancer—committing to break a sweat every day. It was my way of honouring him, reclaiming my body, creating another finish line for myself and inviting others to join in acts of movement, kindness, and gratitude.

I am grateful to the Guelph running community for helping me find, not only my legs, but myself again. All of the wonderful runners at Up and Running, Running Works, ParkRun and the Guelph Victors have been an important part of my comeback. Thanks to this community my running goals have grown over the last seven years from running for 3 minutes all the way to 3 hours and 30 minutes.  

I run to give back. I run because I can. And I run for those who are unable. I run for life.

-          Lisa