Niagara-on-the-Lake has raised more than $2 million for cancer research since its first Terry Fox Run in 1991. This year, NOTLers will once again come out to support the cause.
On Sept. 20 at Simcoe Park, 17-year-old Megan Dyck and her mother, Amber, will speak about Dyck’s experience battling cancer.
“We genuinely believe Megan’s still with us because of the research breakthroughs that foundations like the Terry Fox Foundation are making,” Amber Dyck told The Lake Report.
Megan has metastasized clear cell carcinoma. When she was diagnosed with cancer at 13, the outlook was different from today.
At 14, Megan was given a terminal diagnosis, but with treatment at McMaster Children’s Hospital, she has now reached her 17th birthday.
“We literally watched her, since that point, coming back to life as the initial five tumours in her lungs shrunk down to one,” Dyck said.
Megan’s tumours are starting to progress again, but Dyck said she recognizes how different things are now.
“We knew what cancer looked like,” she said. “But the new research and the advances that are being made are taking what we know and turning it upside down.”
After Megan’s success, McMaster has been using the same treatment on other patients in the oncology clinic with success.
“It’s really exciting when you see this rippling effect of research and think of all the lives it can be impacting,” Dyck said.
Megan’s face will be seen across Canada as she and Niagara-on-the-Lake resident Joe Pillitteri grace the cover of Terry Fox Foundation brochures for 2026.
Five-thousand brochures were printed and are being handed out across Canada in anticipation of the 46th annual run.
Dyck said the photo was a surprise that she and Megan did not know about until seeing the brochures.
“We’re so grateful, if our faces or our voices can lead to one more person caring and contributing,” she said.
After the run begins, Megan will help at the water station along the route, handing out water as runners go past.
The Niagara College Knights basketball team will also attend in support of teammate Abbey Gooder.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Terry Fox Run festivities will begin at 9 a.m. in Simcoe Park, with the run itself beginning at 10 a.m. The Rotary Club will provide a barbecue, along with pizza from Sandtrap and fruit from a number of NOTL farms.
Those who can’t join the run can still support the cause by donating online, either directly or to a team or participant, through the town’s donation page. Supporters can also donate at terryfox.org.
“Rock Star” shirts are still available through Joan King and in person at the run.
Residents are encouraged to check the event webpage for updates leading up to run day.
